Description

Decadent and fudgy Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies featuring a rich chocolate base swirled with creamy peanut butter. These brownies combine the perfect balance of intense cocoa flavor and luscious peanut butter for a delightful treat that’s easy to make and irresistible to eat.

Ingredients

Scale

Brownie Batter

1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
4 oz (115g) semi-sweet chocolate, chopped or chocolate chips
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
1/4 cup (50g) light brown sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup (85g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1/3 cup (30g) unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
1/2 teaspoon baking powder (optional)
1/4 teaspoon salt

Peanut Butter Swirl

1/2 cup (125g) creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk (optional)

Optional Mix-Ins & Toppings

1/2 cup chocolate chips or chunks
1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts
Sea salt flakes for garnish

Instructions

Prepare the Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal. This prevents sticking and helps achieve clean cuts.
Melt the Chocolate & Butter: In a heatproof bowl, combine butter and semi-sweet chocolate. Melt using a microwave in 20-second bursts stirring in between, or melt over a double boiler. Let the mixture cool slightly to avoid scrambling the eggs.
Whisk Wet Ingredients: Add granulated sugar and brown sugar to the melted chocolate-butter mixture. Stir until smooth and glossy. Whisk in eggs and egg yolk one at a time, then add vanilla extract, whisking thoroughly to develop the signature crackly top texture.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder (if using), and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula until just combined, being careful not to overmix to keep brownies fudgy.
Make the Peanut Butter Swirl: In a small bowl, combine peanut butter, powdered sugar, and heavy cream or milk if needed, to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency. This helps the swirl stay creamy and prevents hardening during baking.
Assemble the Brownies: Pour half of the brownie batter into the prepared pan. Spoon dollops of peanut butter swirl over the batter. Pour the remaining batter on top, then add more peanut butter dollops. Using a knife or skewer, gently swirl the mixtures without overdoing it to maintain distinct ribbons.
Bake to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out with moist crumbs but not raw batter. Begin checking at 28 minutes due to oven variations.
Cool and Cut: Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before lifting out using the parchment overhang. For sharp edges, chill in the fridge for 1 hour before slicing into 16 squares. Use a hot knife wiped clean between cuts for professional, bakery-style squares.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs to ensure better mixing and texture.
Optional baking powder adds slight lift; omit for denser brownies.
Don’t overmix the batter to keep brownies fudgy instead of cakey.
Adjust bake time slightly to achieve desired fudginess or cakey texture.
Line baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and cleaner cutting.
Swirl peanut butter gently to maintain distinct ribbons and not lose the pattern.
Chilling brownies before cutting sharpens the edges and improves slicing.
Using a hot knife between cuts yields bakery-style clean slices.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: chocolate peanut butter brownies, fudge brownies, peanut butter swirl, easy brownies, chocolate dessert