Get ready for the BEST Peanut Butter Brownies! Fudgy brownies filled with peanut butter cups, peanut butter chips, and topped with a peanut butter swirl. Rich, decadent, over-the-top brownies that you are going to love.
This is what dreams are made of. Do you see that peanut butter swirl? Those chunks of peanut butter cups? That fudgy goodness? So much to love.
I decided that it was time to give my Peanut Butter Brownie recipe a little facelift. I made a few small tweaks and these Peanut Butter Brownies are even better than ever! I used my Homemade Brownies as the base and added tons of peanut buttery goodness.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Flavor: Loads of chocolate and peanut butter in every bite.
Texture: Chewy edges and fudgy centers with little pockets of melty chocolate and peanut butter.
Freezer friendly: Leftovers can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Basic ingredients: Most of these ingredients are pantry staples. You can also choose between peanut butter cups, peanut butter chips, or both for stirring into the brownie batter.
Perfectly sized: This recipe makes an 8×8 pan of brownies. You can serve anywhere from 9-12 depending on how large you cut them.
Tips for making peanut butter brownies
- Line the pan with foil for easy removal. Once the brownies have cooled, you can lift the whole batch right out of the pan using the foil.
- Adding chocolate chips into the batter guarantees a fudgy texture.
- Use a commercial brand of peanut butter that is fully combined/emulsified. I do not recommend using a “natural” peanut butter with oil separation.
- When swirling the peanut butter into the brownie batter, less is more. Thicker, more noticeable swirls come from less swirling. Drag a sharp knife through in a figure-8 motion.
- Do not overbake them. I can’t stress this enough! If you insert a toothpick into the center it should have moist fudgy crumbs on it, but no batter. As soon as that happens, pull them out. Since all ovens bake differently, set your timer for earlier than the recipe calls for and keep checking them until they’re done.
Serving and storage
Serving: You can serve these brownies warm or at room temperature. They are best served within 3 days of being made. I like to reheat them a little in the microwave before eating.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator or cool room temperature for 3 days. Leftovers can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
Recipe updated March 2021. If you prefer my original recipe, it can be found HERE.
Recipe
Peanut Butter Brownies
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¾ cup all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and still warm
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup chocolate chips
- ⅔ cup (total) peanut butter chips or chopped peanut butter cups, or a combination of both
- ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter, preferably not natural/separated
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 baking pan with foil or parchment paper. Lightly grease the foil/parchment.
- In a medium bowl combine cocoa powder, powdered sugar, flour, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl combine butter and granulated sugar, whisk briefly, then allow the mixture to sit at room temp for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, whisk the mixture vigorously for about 30 seconds. Add eggs, water, and vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to stir the mixture until it is glossy and well combined. Remove ⅓ cup of brownie batter and set it aside.
- Add chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and peanut butter cups to the remaining batter and stir gently. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread into an even layer.
- Using two spoons, dollop small portions of the peanut butter and the reserved brownie batter all over the top. Use the tip of a sharp knife to swirl the brownie batter and peanut butter together*. Don’t swirl too deep; you are mostly just making visible swirls in the top layer.
- Bake for 28-33 minutes. The brownies should be underbaked just slightly, but not jiggle in the center. If you insert a toothpick into the center it should come out with moist fudgy crumbs, but no thin, raw batter. Place the pan on a wire rack to cool.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
GS says
I had this recipe link before the date of March 13 2021…it used to have coffee in it! And some of the steps were different. Is there an explanation for the change?
Allison says
If you take a look in the “notes” section of the recipe card I mention the update and I give a link to the old recipe. Feel free to use that one if you know you like it. 🙂 Enjoy!
Jane says
These brownies are epic! Thank you for the recipe – everyone loved them.
Allison says
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
Dequesha says
This recipe used to have espresso and use 3 eggs I thought? I found the original video from Facebook I used the first time that has this link but now the recipe is different
Allison says
The original recipe is linked in the recipe card. Feel free to use that one. 🙂 Enjoy!
Audrey says
These are the best brownies I’ve ever made! So good!
Allison says
Yay! I’m glad you enjoyed them.
Fern says
I accidentally reduced the cocoa powder and powdered sugar but it turned out great! Love the recipe!
Allison says
Glad you enjoyed them!
Sue says
Deeeeelicious
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed them! 🙂
JENNY FRESCO says
OMG I’VE DONE THIS RECIPE 3 TIMES ALREADY AND IT’S SOOOO DELICIOUS I’M GOING CRAZY HERE!!
Allison says
Haha! I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for stopping by!
Lori Eidsness says
I am looking for a chocolate brownie with peanut butter recipe and came across this one. After looking at this recipe and your original I was just curious why you updated the recipe? From glancing at them they are pretty different with the measurements.
Allison says
Hi, Lori. I worked on my homemade brownie recipe until I perfected it (flavor, texture, recipe size). I found that I preferred that recipe as the base for these peanut butter brownies. Also part of the reason you see a difference with the measurements is due to the difference in pan size from the original recipe.
Lori says
I used the original recipe but used 3 eggs and they were good. I guess I didn’t think there was much difference between a 8×8 vs 9×9 so never pay attention to that as why the measurements were different. I didn’t have pb chips or pb cups so used chocolate chips and toasted peanuts in the mix. I would make them again.
Andy says
What’s happened to the video?, would prefer to see these being made.
What are peanut butter chips in the uk?
Allison says
The video is embedded in the post, about halfway down. Peanut butter chips look like chocolate chips but they are peanut butter flavored. Not sure what the equivalent would be in the UK. You could skip them and add more chocolate chips or peanut butter cups.
Charlotte says
Really really good brownies! Easy quick recipe and tastes delicious both before and after they were cooked. haha
Allison says
Ha! Glad you enjoyed them. 🙂