![A grid of Ultimate Peanut Butter Brownies and a jar of milk to go with them.](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1280 853"></svg>)
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Hi Bold Bakers!
If you’re anything like the rest of the population, then you’re obsessed with the combination of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter. Food scientists, an analytical and delicious-sounding job, have performed a lot of research studies as to why chocolate and peanut butter go so well together. But really, who cares so long as we get to eat it, especially in this delicious recipe!
Chocolate and peanut butter are the power couple of our baking world, and my homemade peanut butter brownie recipe is the ultimate matchmaker.
What makes my chocolate peanut butter brownies different from the rest? Simple — these fudgy chocolate brownies swirled with nutty peanut butter and topped with salty peanuts on top are as easy to make as they are hard to resist!
What Kind Of Peanut Butter You’ll Need
There’s nothing wrong with cherishing your natural (and typically more expensive) jar of nut butter on top of your breakfast toast or trying your hand at making your own, but I find that when it comes to baking with peanut butter, the cheaper stuff from any old supermarket is best.
Natural peanut butter usually contains two ingredients: peanuts and salt. Meanwhile, your favorite Jif or Skippy-type brand also has sugar and hydrogenated vegetable oil, which is used to prevent separation and help enhance the spreadability of that delicious peanut butter — something that is ideal for creamy, melt-in-your-mouth baking.
But either smooth and crunchy versions of peanut butter will work! That is a debate you must have with your household.
![Ultimate Peanut Butter Brownie recipe bake and arranged in a grid of squares.](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 640 960"></svg> "Ultimate Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies — do you want an edge or center cut?")
What You Need To Make Peanut Butter Brownies
How To Make Peanut Butter Brownies
Don’t be intimidated by the thought of adding a peanut butter swirl throughout these rich chocolate brownies! It’s a super easy process. Here’s how simple it is (and don’t forget to get the full recipe with measurements, down below):
- Combine sugar, water, and chocolate in a microwavable bowl. Microwave until chocolate has melted, usually around 2-3 minutes.
- Allow mixture to slightly cool then whisk in oil, eggs, and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until they are just combined, making sure you do not over mix.
- Swirl in 1/2 cup of peanut butter into the batter, leaving big streaks.
- Pour batter into buttered and lined baking pan and pour on the remaining peanut butter. Swirl the peanut butter over the top of the brownies. Top with chopped peanuts.
- Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 45-60, underbaking the brownies to keep them fudgy inside.
- Cool for at least 30 minutes, cut, top with some vanilla ice cream and prepare to enter peanut butter and chocolate heaven.
Gemma’s Pro Tips for Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies
- You can use any nut butter, but the cheaper grocery store versions work the best when baking.
- If you are using natural peanut butter, stir it very well before adding to the brownies to make sure the naturally separated oil blends in!
- Since conventional peanut butter already has sugar, use bittersweet chocolate (70%) to give your brownies a perfect balance of richness and sweetness.
- Brownies continue to cook when you take them out of the oven, so you will want to remove them when they still feel soft in the middle but have firm edges.
- If you can’t have eggs, check out my 7 Best Egg Substitutes in Baking!
How To Store Them
These highly addicting brownies can be stored at room temperature for 4 days (if they last that long!). They also freeze well for up to 4 weeks and can be defrosted in your microwave.
Sometimes we all need a peanut butter and chocolate fix to get us through the week. Don’t forget to try my Easy Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies, dipped in a healthy dose of rich melted chocolate, next!
Get More Brownies!
And don’t forget to buy my Bigger Bolder Baking Cookbook!
Full (and printable) recipe below!