
Ultimate Peanut Butter Cup Brownies: A Decadent Dessert Recipe
Brownies are a classic dessert that everyone loves, and when you combine them with the irresistible flavors of peanut butter cups, you’ve got a truly decadent treat. These Peanut Butter Cup Brownies are rich, fudgy, and loaded with peanut butter goodness. They’re surprisingly easy to make and are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering. This recipe offers detailed instructions and tips to ensure your brownies turn out perfectly every time. Get ready to indulge in a chocolate and peanut butter masterpiece!
Why You’ll Love These Peanut Butter Cup Brownies
* **Fudgy and Rich:** The brownies themselves are incredibly fudgy, with a deep chocolate flavor that complements the peanut butter perfectly.
* **Peanut Butter Perfection:** Every bite is loaded with peanut butter cups, adding bursts of creamy, salty-sweet flavor.
* **Easy to Make:** Despite their impressive appearance, these brownies are surprisingly simple to prepare, making them perfect for both beginner and experienced bakers.
* **Crowd-Pleasing:** These brownies are always a hit, whether you’re serving them at a party, bringing them to a potluck, or simply enjoying them at home.
* **Customizable:** You can easily adapt this recipe to suit your preferences by using different types of peanut butter cups, adding extra toppings, or adjusting the sweetness level.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you start baking, gather all your ingredients to ensure a smooth and efficient process. Here’s what you’ll need:
* **For the Brownies:**
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1 cup packed light brown sugar
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder (optional, but enhances the chocolate flavor)
* 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 4 large eggs
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* **For the Peanut Butter Cup Filling:**
* 1 cup creamy peanut butter
* 1/2 cup powdered sugar
* 1/4 cup milk
* **For Topping:**
* 12-15 peanut butter cups, halved or quartered
* Optional: Additional chocolate chips, sea salt flakes
Equipment You’ll Need
* 9×13 inch baking pan
* Parchment paper
* Mixing bowls
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
* Rubber spatula
* Toothpick or cake tester
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these detailed instructions to create the perfect batch of Peanut Butter Cup Brownies:
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Pan
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This will make it easy to lift the brownies out of the pan once they’re baked. Lightly grease the parchment paper with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Melt the Butter and Sugars
1. In a large, microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and instant espresso powder (if using).
2. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until the butter is melted. Stir well until the sugars are mostly dissolved. The mixture may still appear slightly grainy, which is fine.
Step 3: Mix in Cocoa Powder and Vanilla
1. Add the cocoa powder to the melted butter mixture and stir until well combined. The mixture will be thick and pasty at this stage.
2. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: Add the Eggs
1. Let the chocolate mixture cool slightly for a few minutes. This is important to prevent the eggs from cooking when you add them.
2. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Be sure to fully incorporate each egg before adding the next.
Step 5: Incorporate the Flour
1. Add the flour to the wet ingredients and gently fold it in with a rubber spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough brownies. A few streaks of flour are okay at this point.
Step 6: Prepare the Peanut Butter Cup Filling
1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, and milk.
2. Use an electric mixer to beat the ingredients together until smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, add a little more milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
Step 7: Assemble the Brownies
1. Pour half of the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
2. Dollop spoonfuls of the peanut butter filling over the brownie batter. Use a knife or toothpick to swirl the peanut butter into the batter, creating a marbled effect. Be careful not to over-swirl, as this can muddy the colors.
3. Pour the remaining brownie batter over the peanut butter layer and spread it evenly.
Step 8: Add the Peanut Butter Cups
1. Arrange the halved or quartered peanut butter cups over the top of the brownie batter. Gently press them into the batter to ensure they adhere during baking.
2. Optional: Sprinkle additional chocolate chips over the top for extra chocolate flavor. A sprinkle of sea salt flakes can also enhance the sweet and salty flavor profile.
Step 9: Bake the Brownies
1. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached. Be careful not to overbake the brownies, as this will result in dry brownies. The center should still be slightly soft.
Step 10: Cool and Cut
1. Remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan. This is important because the brownies will continue to set as they cool.
2. Once the brownies are cool, lift them out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang.
3. Cut the brownies into squares and serve.
Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Cup Brownies
* **Use High-Quality Ingredients:** Using good-quality chocolate and peanut butter will make a significant difference in the flavor of your brownies.
* **Don’t Overmix:** Overmixing the brownie batter can result in tough brownies. Mix the ingredients until just combined.
* **Don’t Overbake:** Overbaking is the most common mistake when making brownies. Check for doneness with a toothpick, but remember that the center should still be slightly soft.
* **Cool Completely:** Allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting them. This will make them easier to cut and prevent them from falling apart.
* **Use Parchment Paper:** Lining the baking pan with parchment paper makes it easy to lift the brownies out of the pan and prevents them from sticking.
* **Customize the Toppings:** Feel free to add other toppings, such as chopped nuts, pretzels, or a drizzle of melted chocolate.
* **Vary the Peanut Butter Cups:** Use different flavors or varieties of peanut butter cups for a unique twist. Mini peanut butter cups or dark chocolate peanut butter cups work well.
Variations and Add-Ins
* **Chocolate Chips:** Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the brownie batter for extra chocolate flavor.
* **Nuts:** Incorporate 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds into the batter or sprinkle them on top.
* **Pretzels:** Add crushed pretzels to the batter or sprinkle them on top for a salty crunch.
* **Salted Caramel:** Drizzle salted caramel sauce over the baked brownies for an extra layer of flavor.
* **Espresso:** Add 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the brownie batter to enhance the chocolate flavor.
* **Different Peanut Butter Cups:** Experiment with different types of peanut butter cups, such as dark chocolate, white chocolate, or flavored varieties.
* **Peanut Butter Swirl:** Instead of a separate peanut butter filling, swirl a few tablespoons of peanut butter directly into the brownie batter.
Serving Suggestions
* **Warm:** Serve the brownies warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
* **Chilled:** Enjoy the brownies chilled straight from the refrigerator.
* **With Milk:** Pair the brownies with a glass of cold milk for a classic combination.
* **Dessert Platter:** Include the brownies on a dessert platter with other sweets, such as cookies, cake, and fruit.
* **Gourmet Coffee:** Serve the brownies with a cup of gourmet coffee or espresso.
Storage Instructions
* **Room Temperature:** Store the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
* **Refrigerator:** For longer storage, keep the brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Let them come to room temperature before serving.
* **Freezer:** Freeze the brownies in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.
Peanut Butter Cup Brownies Recipe
This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, combining rich, fudgy brownies with the irresistible flavors of peanut butter cups. Follow these instructions for a perfect batch every time.
**Yields:** 16-20 brownies
**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Cook time:** 30-35 minutes
**Ingredients:**
* **For the Brownies:**
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1 cup packed light brown sugar
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder (optional)
* 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 4 large eggs
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* **For the Peanut Butter Cup Filling:**
* 1 cup creamy peanut butter
* 1/2 cup powdered sugar
* 1/4 cup milk
* **For Topping:**
* 12-15 peanut butter cups, halved or quartered
* Optional: Additional chocolate chips, sea salt flakes
**Equipment:**
* 9×13 inch baking pan
* Parchment paper
* Mixing bowls
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
* Rubber spatula
* Toothpick or cake tester
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Baking Pan:** Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang. Grease the parchment paper.
2. **Melt the Butter and Sugars:** In a large, microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and espresso powder (if using). Microwave for 1-2 minutes until butter is melted. Stir well.
3. **Mix in Cocoa Powder and Vanilla:** Add cocoa powder to the melted butter mixture and stir until combined. Stir in vanilla extract.
4. **Add the Eggs:** Let the chocolate mixture cool slightly. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
5. **Incorporate the Flour:** Add flour to the wet ingredients and gently fold in with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. **Prepare the Peanut Butter Cup Filling:** In a medium bowl, combine peanut butter, powdered sugar, and milk. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Add more milk if needed to reach desired consistency.
7. **Assemble the Brownies:** Pour half of the brownie batter into the prepared pan. Dollop spoonfuls of peanut butter filling over the batter and swirl with a knife. Pour the remaining brownie batter over the peanut butter layer and spread evenly.
8. **Add the Peanut Butter Cups:** Arrange halved or quartered peanut butter cups over the top of the brownie batter. Gently press them into the batter. Add chocolate chips and sea salt flakes, if desired.
9. **Bake the Brownies:** Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached. Do not overbake.
10. **Cool and Cut:** Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan. Lift out using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into squares and serve.
Enjoy!
These Peanut Butter Cup Brownies are the perfect dessert for any occasion. Whether you’re baking them for a special event or simply craving a sweet treat, they’re sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. With their rich, fudgy texture and irresistible peanut butter flavor, these brownies are a true indulgence. So, grab your ingredients and get baking! You won’t regret it.