I’ll be honest with you—I didn’t plan to fall in love with these peanut butter brownies. One day I was craving something chocolaty, and at the same time, I had a jar of peanut butter just staring at me from the shelf.
That’s when the idea hit me: Why not mix the two? Trust me, the result was so good I had to share it with you. If you love chocolate and peanut butter, you’re in for a treat.
These brownies are rich, fudgy, and have that perfect swirl of peanut butter that makes every bite better. Let’s get straight into it.
Why You’ll Love These Peanut Butter Brownies
These brownies are not your regular chocolate squares. They’re soft, fudgy, and packed with flavor. The peanut butter adds a creamy, nutty twist that cuts through the richness of chocolate.
It’s like eating two desserts in one—brownies and peanut butter fudge.
- They’re simple to make.
- They look fancy with those peanut butter swirls.
- Everyone loves them (kids, adults, even picky eaters).
- They taste amazing warm, cold, or even the next day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
No complicated stuff, just simple ingredients you probably already have at home:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (not the natural runny kind)
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional but recommended)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a square baking pan or line it with parchment paper so your brownies don’t stick.
2. Mix the Brownie Batter
In a bowl, mix melted butter, sugar, and eggs until smooth. Add cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir until combined. Don’t overmix—you just want everything blended.
3. Add Peanut Butter Swirls
Pour half of the batter into the baking pan. Drop spoonfuls of peanut butter on top, then add the rest of the batter. Use a knife to swirl the peanut butter into the brownie mix. It doesn’t have to be perfect—swirls look best when they’re a little messy.
4. Add Chocolate Chips (Optional)
Sprinkle chocolate chips on top for extra richness.
5. Bake
Bake for 25–30 minutes. Check with a toothpick—if it comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter), they’re done.
6. Cool and Slice
Let them cool completely before slicing. This part is tough, but if you cut too early, they’ll fall apart.
Tips to Make Them Perfect
- Use creamy peanut butter for smooth swirls.
- Don’t overbake—brownies should be fudgy, not dry.
- Chill them in the fridge for an hour if you want clean slices.
- Warm them in the microwave for 10 seconds before eating for a gooey bite.
Variations to Try
- Nutty Crunch: Add chopped peanuts for a crunchy texture.
- Extra Chocolatey: Use dark cocoa powder for a richer taste.
- Marble Look: Add more peanut butter swirls on top before baking.
- Peanut Butter Lovers’ Dream: Spread a thin layer of peanut butter on top after baking.
FAQs About Peanut Butter Brownies
Q1: Can I use natural peanut butter?
Not recommended. It’s too runny and oily, and your swirls won’t hold. Stick to regular creamy peanut butter.
Q2: How do I store them?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to a week.
Q3: Can I freeze them?
Yes! Wrap them in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Just thaw at room temperature when ready to eat.
Q4: Can I make them without eggs?
Yes, replace each egg with 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or a flaxseed egg.
Q5: Why are my brownies dry?
You probably baked them too long. Remember, brownies should come out slightly fudgy in the middle.