Peanut Butter Brownies

This recipe is perfect for kids and adults alike. Each bite of peanut butter tastes like a homemade Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup packed in a gooey, chocolate brownie crust.

Easy peanut butter brownie recipe

It is easy to customize brownies.

You can use any brownie recipe if it fits in a standard 8-inch baking pan.

Everything in the pictures of the pb-brownies was made from scratch. If you’re short on cocoa or time and want to quickly whip up a fancy dessert, feel free to use a brownie mix.

Ingredients in the recipe

You must make brownies with peanut butter or a substitute for nuts, powdered sugar, butter (or plant-based butter), optional oil, chocolate chips, and your favorite brownie ingredients.

You can use natural peanut butter or brands such as Skippy or Jif. You can also change the taste using almond butter, cashew butter, or Coconut Butter.

You can leave the chocolate ganache off if you want. If you prefer a chocolate ganache without oil, leave out the fat. It still tastes great. The sauce will not be as smooth and easy to spread.

Peanut Butter Frosting

To make the three-ingredient peanut butter filling, cream together six teaspoons of each peanut butter and regular melted butter, along with one and a half cups of powdered sugar (or powdered erythritol if you want sugar-free brownies).

Using this recipe for vegan brownies and a vegan spread as the base of vegan peanut butter brownies is okay.

Add half a tablespoon of milk if your peanut butter frosting is thick.

This frosting recipe is enough to cover a batch of brownies. You can store extra frosting in a covered container for up to one week in the fridge if you wish to.

Cheesecake frosting

Would you prefer a cream cheese buttercream instead?

Eight ounces of softened cream cheese, half a cup of peanut butter, a pinch of salt, one cup of powdered sugar, and one and a half teaspoons of pure vanilla extract can be made in just a few minutes.

If you prefer, you can substitute this frosting for the buttercream above. This recipe was adapted from my Chocolate Cream-Cheese Frosting and Peanut Butter Dip.

Peanut Butter Brownies Recipe

Prepare and bake your chocolate brownie base. You can do this the day before if you want to save time.

Blend all ingredients for the peanut butter frosting in a stand mixer or hand mixers until smooth. This peanut butter filling can be spread over the brownies.

Melt three ounces of chocolate chips or chocolate bars broken into pieces with a half-teaspoon of coconut or vegetable oil if desired. This can be swirled or brushed over the brownies and then chilled in the freezer or fridge to harden the chocolate.

The result is a delicious brownie that’s chewy, soft and dense. It’s also fudgy with a rich chocolate peanut flavor.

Ingredients

Brownies

Use any brownie recipe that will fit an 8-inch pan. For example, Black Beans, Brownies, and Keto browns.

Peanut Butter Filling

6 tbsp of peanut butter or an allergy-friendly sub

Butter substitutes are listed above.

Powdered sugar (or erythritol): 1/2 cup

Milk of Choice: 1 1/2 tsp

Chocolate Coating (Optional)

3 oz chocolate chips or broken-up chocolate bar

Half a teaspoon of oil

Instructions

Follow the recipe instructions to bake brownies. Prepare the filling in the meantime. Whip all ingredients until smooth. Make sure that butter and peanut butter are soft. I used a handheld mixer for a smoother result, but you could technically use a fork. Spread over brownies. Spread over brownies.