Peanut Butter Brownies - For the peanut butter lovers! Moist, cake-like peanut butter brownies topped with light and fluffy peanut butter frosting!
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You've heard me say many times before, we're a chocolate and peanut butter family. But sometimes, we're just all about the peanut butter. And I know you are, too. So many of you have tried these delicious peanut butter cookies. They really are blue ribbon quality. If you haven't tried them, just make them right along with these peanut butter brownies and call it a good day.
These brownies have zero chocolate. They're pure bred peanut butter brownies. Our cousin Sue, who shared this yummy Muenster Chicken recipe with me, also sent me this brownie recipe. Of course she did. Everything Sue recommends is completely and utterly delicious.
I dare you not to scoop spoonfuls of this frosting out of the bowl and into your mouth when you're mixing it up. It's fluffy - almost like mousse - but creamy, too. Get. In. My. Mouth.
And when you're going all in on the peanut butter, why not sprinkle some Reese's Pieces on top? It was meant to be. They add a pop of color, too.
The brownies, themselves, are a bit cake-like vs. fudgy. I love that they stayed soft all week long as we ate our way through the pan - cutting out little pieces of heaven throughout the day. Often, that's how we eat our brownies around here. A little at a time. That way you don't feel as guilty. 😉
I'm not here to make you feel guilty. Your friends, family and neighbors will be more than willing to take a couple of these brownies off your hands. I can pretty much guarantee it.
Go ahead and indulge a little. Heck, if you're not a huge brownie fan, just make the frosting. It will totally be worth it. That frosting. I'm a bit obsessed.
So stop drooling over these babies and dig in. I literally had all of the ingredients I needed for these brownies on-hand minus the heavy whipping cream. THAT, I needed to run to the store for. Everything else the recipe calls for is pretty standard.
A typical Bitz & Giggles recipe. Quick, easy, delicious and uses ingredients that you're familiar with and can pronounce. Classic. Timeless. I'll shut up now. Just make these brownies. And leave my cousin, Sue, a message in the comments on what you thought of them. Enjoy!
Peanut Butter Brownies
Ingredients
For the Brownies
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup butter (softened)
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 3 eggs (beaten)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup Reese's Pieces candies
For the Frosting
- 2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
For the Brownies
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large bowl, blend together the peanut butter and butter.
- Beat in brown sugar, eggs and vanilla.
- Add flour and salt.
- Spread into a greased 13x9 inch baking pan.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes.
- Cool in pan and frost.
- Sprinkle Reese's Pieces on top of brownies.
For the Frosting
- Blend peanut butter and margarine until fluffy.
- Blend in remaining ingredients until smooth.
- Frost cooled brownies.
Notes
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Opt for creamy peanut butter in both the brownie batter and frosting for a smooth texture. Creamy peanut butter blends seamlessly into the batter and frosting, ensuring even distribution of flavor and avoiding any clumps or pockets of peanut butter.
- Even Baking: To ensure evenly baked brownies, spread the batter into the greased pan evenly, smoothing out the top with a spatula. This helps the brownies bake uniformly, preventing any undercooked or overcooked spots. Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even browning.
- Frosting Consistency: When making the frosting, gradually add the powdered sugar to achieve the desired consistency. If the frosting is too thick, add a little more heavy whipping cream, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a spreadable consistency. Conversely, if the frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar until it thickens to your liking. Adjusting the consistency ensures that the frosting spreads smoothly over the cooled brownies without being too thick or too runny.
Kimberly Ann
Absolutely love these!!
Crystal
I'm quite interested in making this recipe......I need to know what type of flour to use, however. All purpose or self rising?
Sara
All purpose!
Anonymous
Can you use half and half instead of heavy whip cream
Sara
Yes, that should work!
Kellie
Just made them, the brownie part was delicious. Unfortunately for the frosting- not sure what I did but ALL we taste is Peanut Butter. I also had to double to amount of heavy cream because it was too thick. Next time I’ll try a quarter amount of peanut butter and try from there. Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Elisa
How do you store then after making them do they go in to the frig or just put lid on pan and leave it out?
Sara
I've done both. They will keep a bit longer in the fridge. If you choose to store them in the fridge, just pull them out 10-15 minutes before enjoying them so they warm up a bit - or put them in the microwave for just a few seconds!
Katie
What size pan
???
Ingrid
These are the best brownies I have ever made. I made them for my daughter and her friends for their spring break trip to Florida, they're driving back today and have requested I make more! I never want chocolate brownies again! Thank you so much for this recipe!
Sara
I'm so glad you like them! Sometimes it's nice to have something else to go along with your chocolate! 😉
Ruth
I halved the sugar (2 c br sugar for 1 c flour?). I was shocked at 2 c of PB for frosting. So I made icing from 4x sugar, a bit of milk, and about 1 T of PB. Everybody loved this but thought it was too rich. Can't imagine If I'd made it like it called for. This will replace my recipe for peanut butter bars and I will keep the changes I made. Thank you! The Reese's Pieces is a great idea!
Sue Carreras
I love baking brownies and cakes. Well, all kinds of sweets really! These are the best brownies I have ever had. I had to share or I would have eaten all of them myself. The icing is amazing, like whipped cream. Will definitely make them again. Thank you for sharing.
Sara
Sue, I'm so glad you enjoyed the brownies! I agree, that icing is incredible!
J
Waaaayyyyy to much butter. Sorry didn't enjoy them. Did have to throw them out. PB anything is my favorite usually. Unfortunate idk what happened but... wouldn't make again.
Sara
I'm so sorry these didn't work out for you. Was it the brownie or the frosting you didn't like?
Robin
They have a great peanut butter taste but I wouldn't cook them 30 mins. I cooked for that long and they came out hard. The frosting is a little over the top for me but sti goid.
Sara
Ovens can vary. It sounds like you have timing figured out for next time. I'm glad you enjoyed the frosting too!
Brandie
My brownies looked great, when i pulled them out of the oven! As I mixed the frosting up, (as directed), it started to seem something was a little off. Are the measurements correct? Mine didn't turn out that light in color, or texture. It seemed to be an awful lot of frosting! Not the yummy, light, fluffy, frosting, but a thick,separating, greasy frosting that almost killed my mixer! What did I do wrong? So sad?
Sara
I'm so sad for you! The measurements are correct, Brandie. Maybe give it another go and see if it happens again? My frosting has never turned out "greasy" so I'm not quite sure what could have happened.
Cousin Sue
I agree! The frosting was very light and fluffy for me, too! I'm not sure what would have made it a "greasy mess" or make your mixer work overtime!
Pat
I am sorry to say I would never be able to make this recipe.
I would probably eat the WHOLE pan!
Guess I'll have to wait to have company! They sound amazing!
Cousin Sue
OMG, Sara, this is too funny! I received this recipe from you in my inbox this morning. I thought: "WOW... I have to make those brownies!" When I clicked on the recipe I realized it was one I had shared with you. That is hilarious! The trouble is, Cousin Bob is now going to hound me all day! He told me I haven't baked anything for a while and he needs sweets! Guess what I will be doing this weekend?
Sara
Yes, Sue! Make those brownies for Bob! Thanks for sharing the recipe with me. We REALLY enjoyed these delicious treats!
susan
I'm alittle confused...do you put the candies in the batter before you bake them & add more on the frosting later, or just on top of the frosting? Step 8 is with the brownie recipe. Just not sure if I need to put some in the batter. Anxious to put them in the oven!