Description
These decadent brownies feature a rich, fudgy base layered with a creamy peanut butter filling and topped with mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Perfect for satisfying your chocolate and peanut butter cravings, they make a delightful treat for any occasion!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box of brownie mix (plus ingredients required on the box, usually eggs, oil, and water)
- 1 cup of creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup of powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 cup of mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (chopped)
- 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder (optional, for extra chocolate flavor)
- Cooking spray or parchment paper (for greasing the baking pan)
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of creamy peanut butter, 1 cup of powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- Using a hand mixer or a spatula, mix the ingredients together until they are well combined and smooth. The mixture should be thick but spreadable.
- Once mixed, set the peanut butter filling aside. You can refrigerate it for about 15 minutes to make it easier to handle, but this step is optional.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, prepare the brownie mix according to the package instructions. This usually involves adding eggs, oil, and water. Stir until just combined; do not overmix.
- If you want to enhance the chocolate flavor, you can add 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to the brownie batter at this stage. Mix until fully incorporated.
- Fold in 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips into the brownie batter for added richness and texture.
- Pour half of the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
- Take the peanut butter filling and dollop it over the brownie batter. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread it evenly, leaving a small border around the edges to prevent overflow.
- Sprinkle the chopped mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups evenly over the peanut butter layer.
- Carefully pour the remaining brownie batter over the peanut butter filling and Reese’s cups. Use a spatula to spread it evenly, ensuring that the filling is completely covered.
- Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).
- Keep an eye on the brownies as they bake; if the edges start to look too dark, you can cover the pan loosely with aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Once baked, remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 20-30 minutes.
- After the brownies have cooled, use a sharp knife to cut them into squares. For cleaner cuts, you can wipe the knife with a damp cloth between cuts.
- For an extra indulgent treat, consider drizzling melted chocolate or additional peanut butter over the top of the brownies before serving.
- Serve the brownies warm or at room temperature. They can be enjoyed on their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious dessert.
- If you have leftovers, store the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week.
- To freeze the brownies, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.
Notes
- Feel free to customize the toppings by adding nuts or other candies.
- For a richer flavor, consider using dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes