Simple Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies
Simple Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies are exactly what they sound like—an easy-to-make, two-layer brownie dessert featuring a rich chocolate top and a creamy peanut butter base. The flavors complement each other perfectly, making every bite a little slice of heaven. The chocolate layer is dense and fudgy, while the peanut butter layer is soft and sweet with just a hint of saltiness.
If you’re a fan of chocolate, peanut butter, and all things indulgent (because who isn’t?), then these Simple Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies are about to become your new best friend.
Picture this: a rich, fudgy chocolate brownie with a layer of sweet, peanut buttery goodness. It’s the ultimate combo, right? The best part? These are ridiculously easy to make and require only 15 minutes of prep! Whether you’re whipping up a sweet treat for yourself, your family, or a crowd, these brownies will hit the spot every time.
No need to fuss over fancy ingredients or complicated techniques here. These brownies are straightforward, delicious, and pretty much foolproof. So, if you’ve ever been intimidated by the thought of baking from scratch, fear not! This recipe is simple, and you’ll be munching on these chocolate-peanut butter delights in no time. Let’s dive into everything you need to know to make this dreamy dessert!
- What are Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies?
- Why you’ll love this easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies recipe
- What tools do you need to make this brownie recipe?
- What ingredients do you need to make this simple Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies recipe?
- How to make this simple Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies recipe… you’ve got this!
- Tips to take your Simple Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownies to the next level
- Five frequently asked questions about this Brownie recipe
- Wrapping it all up
- Other chocolate recipes to try
- Simple Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies Recipe
What are Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies?
Simple Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies are exactly what they sound like—an easy-to-make, two-layer brownie dessert featuring a rich chocolate top and a creamy peanut butter base. The flavors complement each other perfectly, making every bite a little slice of heaven. The chocolate layer is dense and fudgy, while the peanut butter layer is soft and sweet with just a hint of saltiness.
Why you’ll love this easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies recipe
- Quick and easy: With just 15 minutes of prep, you’ll have brownies baking before you know it.
- No fancy ingredients: Everything you need is probably already in your pantry.
- Perfect flavor combo: Chocolate and peanut butter are a match made in dessert heaven!
- Crowd-pleaser: Whether it’s a family dessert or a treat for friends, these brownies are sure to impress.
- Customizable: Want more peanut butter? Add a swirl on top before baking! Prefer a double chocolate hit? Toss in some chocolate chips.
RELATED: Classic Oatmeal Cookies with Raisins – these oatmeal raisin cookies are the epitome of simplicity. With just a handful of pantry staples, you can whip up a batch in no time.
What tools do you need to make this brownie recipe?
You won’t need much to whip up these tasty treats. Here’s what you need:
- 8” x 8” baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Non-stick cooking spray
- Mixing bowls (2)
- Whisk or hand mixer
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
What ingredients do you need to make this simple Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies recipe?
For the Chocolate Layer:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
For the Peanut Butter Layer:
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon real vanilla extract
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Be sure to check out the full ingredient list and printable recipe in the recipe card below.
How to make this simple Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies recipe… you’ve got this!
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line your 8” x 8” pan with parchment paper. Give it a good spray with non-stick cooking spray for easy brownie removal later.
- In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients for the chocolate layer, saving the flour, cocoa powder, and salt for last. Stir gently—over-mixing will make your brownies more cakey than fudgy.
- In a separate bowl, mix the ingredients for the peanut butter layer, again saving the flour, baking powder, and salt for last. Stir until just combined.
- Spread the peanut butter mixture evenly on the bottom of the prepared pan. Next, top it with the chocolate brownie mixture, spreading it out evenly.
- Pop the pan into the oven and bake for 22 minutes. The brownies will look a little soft and gooey when they come out, but don’t worry—they’ll finish setting as they cool. Then, dig in and enjoy!
Make this simple Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownie recipe then check out my Simple Walnut Chocolate Chunk Cookies and more of my simple cookie recipes.
How to store
If you have any leftovers (which is a big “if”!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you’d like them to last a bit longer, you can keep them in the fridge for up to a week. But fair warning—they’re so tasty, they might not last that long!
Tips to take your Simple Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownies to the next level
Here are my three tips to take your Simple Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownies to the next level:
1. Don’t Overmix the Batter
When mixing the ingredients, especially for the chocolate layer, be gentle! Overmixing can cause the brownies to become more cake-like rather than fudgy. Stir just until the flour and cocoa are incorporated for that perfectly dense and fudgy texture.
2. Add a Peanut Butter Swirl
Want to kick up the peanut butter flavor? Before baking, reserve a tablespoon of peanut butter and melt it slightly. Drizzle it over the top of the chocolate layer and use a toothpick or knife to create a beautiful swirl. It not only looks fancy but adds an extra burst of peanut butter flavor!
3. Let Them Cool Completely Before Cutting
These brownies will look gooey when they come out of the oven, but resist the urge to cut them right away. Let them cool in the pan completely so they firm up and are easier to cut into clean squares. You’ll thank yourself later!
Five frequently asked questions about this Brownie recipe
What if I don’t have parchment paper?
You can skip the parchment paper and just grease the pan generously with butter or non-stick spray. Parchment makes removal easier, though!
Can I use chunky peanut butter?
Absolutely! Chunky peanut butter will add a bit of texture with those crunchy bits of peanuts.
How do I know when the brownies are done?
After 22 minutes, the brownies should still look a bit soft and gooey in the center. That’s totally normal! They’ll firm up as they cool.
Can I freeze these brownies?
Yes! Once they’ve cooled, cut them into squares and wrap them individually in plastic wrap. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Can I double the recipe?
Sure! Just use a 9” x 13” pan instead and bake for a little longer—around 25–28 minutes.
Wrapping it all up
And there you have it—Simple Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies that are easy to make, taste absolutely divine, and will impress anyone lucky enough to snag a piece! With basic ingredients and no-fuss steps, this recipe is a go-to for a quick, delicious dessert.
Other chocolate recipes to try
- Banana Chocolate Cake (Vegan & Gluten-Free) – a delightful fusion of moist, banana-infused cake dotted with rich, melty chocolate chips. It’s the perfect balance between sweet and satisfying, offering a burst of flavor in every bite.
- Simple Walnut Chocolate Chunk Cookies – Loaded with crunchy walnuts, rich chocolate chunks, and a perfect blend of sweetness, these cookies are guaranteed to be a hit with your family and friends.
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Simple Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies Recipe
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Layer
- ½ c. unsalted butter melted
- 1 c. granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ t. vanilla extract
- ½ c. all-purpose flour
- ½ c. unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/8 t. salt
For the Peanut Butter Layer
- 1/3 c. creamy peanut butter
- 2 T. unsalted butter melted
- 1/3 c. granulated sugar
- ¼ c. packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ t. real vanilla extract
- ½ c. all-purpose flour
- 1 t. baking powder
- 1/8 t. salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8” x 8” pan with parchment paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Mix all the ingredients for the chocolate layer in a large mixing bowl, adding in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt last. Lightly fold in the flour and cocoa powder until just mixed. (Do not over mix or the brownies will turn out cake-like).
- Mix the ingredients for the peanut butter brownie layer, again saving the flour, baking powder and salt for last and stirring until just mixed.
- Spread peanut butter brownie layer on the bottom of the pan and top it with the chocolate brownie layer, spreading the batter for both layers out evenly.
- Bake for 22 minutes. Brownies will still be soft and gooey, but will finish setting while they cool. Enjoy!