Description

Deliciously rich and fudgy Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies featuring a luscious swirl of creamy peanut butter. These brownies combine the perfect balance of moist chocolate cake with a gooey peanut butter ribbon, creating a decadent treat that’s simple to make and perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

For the 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

For the 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 an overhang for easy removal later.
Melt the Chocolate & Butter: In a heatproof bowl, combine the melted butter and semi-sweet chocolate. Melt together using a microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring in between, or with a double boiler. Allow to cool slightly to avoid scrambling the eggs when added.
Whisk Wet Ingredients: Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar to the melted chocolate and butter mixture. Stir until smooth and glossy. Whisk in the eggs and yolk one at a time, then add the vanilla extract, whisking thoroughly to create a crackly brownie top.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder (if using), and salt. Gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture with a spatula just until combined, avoiding overmixing to keep the brownies fudgy.
Make the Peanut Butter Swirl: Combine the creamy peanut butter with powdered sugar and, if needed, add a splash of heavy cream or milk to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency. This prevents the swirl from hardening during baking.
Assemble the Brownies: Pour half of the brownie batter into the prepared pan. Drop spoonfuls of the peanut butter swirl on top, then pour the remaining brownie batter over it. Drop more peanut butter mixture across the surface. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the layers, ensuring distinct peanut butter ribbons.
Bake to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes. Start checking at 28 minutes by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out with moist crumbs but no raw batter.
Cool and Cut: Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes. For sharper, cleaner edges, chill the brownies in the fridge for 1 hour before slicing into 16 squares. Use a hot, clean knife between cuts for bakery-style pieces.

Notes

Ensure melted butter and chocolate mixture is slightly cooled before adding eggs to prevent scrambling.
Do not overmix the batter to maintain a fudgy texture.
For fudgier brownies, bake for the shorter end of the suggested time range.
Lining the pan with parchment paper makes removal and slicing easier.
Use a gentle swirling motion to keep distinct peanut butter patterns.
Optional chocolate chips or chopped peanuts can add extra texture.
Chilling brownies before cutting helps achieve cleaner slices.

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

Keywords: Chocolate peanut butter brownies, fudgy brownies, peanut butter swirl, homemade brownies, rich chocolate dessert