Hey there! So, let me tell you about these Peanut Butter Cup Brownies that my family absolutely devours every time I make them. I first stumbled upon the idea when I was trying to satisfy a midnight chocolate and peanut butter craving—because who hasn’t been there, right? Now it’s a bit of a staple around here. My cousin even tried to barter her way into a batch for her birthday party!
Why You’ll Love This
I whip these up whenever I want to impress folks without too much effort (we all have those days!) or when someone just needs a little extra love. They’re like regular brownies but with a twist that sends everyone over the moon. My kiddos are literally waiting right by the oven, noses pressed against the door (and who can blame them?). Also, if I’m being honest, sometimes I make these just so I can sneak a few of the peanut butter cups myself.
What You’ll Need
- 1/2 cup melted butter (any brand will do, but I swear by unsalted)
- 1 cup sugar (granulated or whatever’s in your pantry)
- 2 large eggs (or three small ones, in a pinch)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (real deal if you can, but I won’t judge)
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder (I sometimes use Dutch-process for a richer flavor)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- About 12 peanut butter cups (I usually use Reese’s, but any will do!)
Steps to Chocolate Heaven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (or about 180°C if you’re metric-minded). Grease a 9×9 inch baking pan (or whatever you’ve got that’s close).
- In a mixing bowl, blend together the melted butter and sugar until smooth. It’s okay if you get distracted and it gets a bit grainy; it’ll still work.
- Add the eggs and vanilla, mixing until just combined. This is where I usually taste the batter (shh, don’t tell anyone!).
- Mix in the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. But don’t overdo it—just stir until it’s all together. This is your base brownie mix.
- Pour half the batter into the prepared pan, then lay those peanut butter cups evenly all over. Try not to eat them all before they hit the pan!
- Spread the remaining batter over the peanut butter cups. It’ll look a bit bumpy, but that’s okay.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes—until the edges start to pull away and a toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs. Honestly, it might look a bit underdone, but that’s what makes it gooey.
- Let them cool (if you can wait) before cutting them into squares.
Notes from My Kitchen
Sometimes I add a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking. It elevates the whole thing or so I believe! And don’t panic if the batter looks a bit lumpy when you spread it over the peanut butter cups. It sorts itself out in the oven
Variations I’ve Tried
I once tried adding a swirl of caramel in the middle, and while it tasted great, it made cutting them into neat squares a real challenge (sticky business!). You could also try mini marshmallows for a s’mores vibe.
What You’ll Use
If you don’t have a proper brownie pan, a deep dish works too. I once used a pie plate when I was desperate and it turned out just fine!
How to Store These Babies
These brownies keep well in an airtight container for up to a week—but honestly, they rarely last more than a day or two in my house. If you want to enjoy them over a longer period, they freeze pretty well too.
Perfect Pairings
We usually serve these with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. But when I’m feeling fancy, I drizzle some chocolate syrup over. I once tried them with a glass of cold milk—pure bliss!
Lessons Learned (The Hard Way)
Never rush the cooling process. I once tried to cut them too soon, and they crumbled apart—it was a delicious mess, but not what I was going for. Take your time. It’s worth it.
FAQ Time!
Can I use chunky peanut butter cups? Absolutely, though the texture might be slightly different. It’s really up to your preference!
Can I make these gluten-free? Totally! Just swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free mix. It works a treat, though the texture might be a tad different.
What if I don’t have vanilla extract? It’s not the end of the world. You can skip it or use a splash of almond extract for a different flavor.