Peanut Butter Brownies

Get ready to treat yourself! These scrumptious Peanut Butter Brownies are the perfect combination of rich dark chocolate, nutty goodness, and a chewy texture. With a decadent fudgy brownie base and swirls of heavenly creamy peanut butter, it’s an irresistible match made in dessert paradise!

Marbled Peanut Butter Brownies Recipe

Meet your new favorite sweet treat- Peanut Butter Brownies! As a true dessert lover, I’ve always had a soft spot for gooey chocolatey brownies. But when you add a generous swirl of creamy peanut butter into the mix it takes these delectable treats to a whole new level of indulgence. The contrasting fudginess of the chocolate brownie to the nuttiness of the smooth peanut butter creates the perfect mixture of indulgent taste and texture that leaves you longing for more. 

But not only are these peanut butter brownies absolutely delicious, they’re also incredibly quick and easy to make! With just a handful of basic pantry staples, you can have a batch of these goodies ready to serve in under an hour. Whether you need something sweet to treat your family, sell at a bake sale, take to a potluck, or serve at a party, these brownies are sure to impress and magically disappear right before your eyes!

• Dark Chocolate – The rich and intense flavor of dark chocolate adds depth. However, you can substitute it with semi-sweet chocolate if you prefer.
• Unsalted Butter – Brings moisture and richness to the brownies. You should always use unsalted butter to control the amount of added salt. Coconut oil can be used as a substitution.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – Provides another layer of chocolate flavor. Choose high-quality Dutch-processed cocoa powder for the best results.
• Granulated sugar – Add sweetness to these treats. I find that granulated sugar works the best due to its fine texture. 
• Eggs – Room temperature eggs bind the ingredients together and add structure to the brownies. If you’re egg-free, you can try using flax eggs as a substitute.
• Vanilla Extract – Just a dash enhances the overall flavor of both the chocolate and peanut butter. 
• Flour – Basic all-purpose flour provides the base. You can use a gluten-free flour, which has xanthan gum in it, to make gluten-free peanut butter brownies.
• Salt – Helps to balance the sweetness and enhance the chocolate flavor. If you’re using salted butter, omit this ingredient.
• Creamy Peanut Butter – Adds the heavenly swirl of nutty goodness. Natural peanut butter that doesn’t have any added sugar is a good choice. You can also experiment with other nut butters such as cashew butter or almond butter.

This yummy brownie recipe uses the same easy swirl technique that I use in my popular Marbled Chocolate Banana Bread. If you just follow my simple instructions, you’ll be sinking your teeth into a batch in less than an hour!

To begin you need to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then generously grease an 8×8-inch square baking pan and line it with parchment paper making sure to leave some overhang. This helps to prevent the brownies from sticking to the pan and ensures effortless removal later.

Now, let’s start getting the chocolate ready! Combine the chopped dark chocolate and unsalted butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Then heat the mixture in 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each interval until both the chocolate and butter are completely melted and the mixture is smooth. 

Alternatively, you can use a double boiler to melt them together over low heat, stirring constantly. Both methods work well, but just be cautious not to overheat the chocolate or it will burn.

Next, you need to stir the granulated sugar into the melted chocolate mixture until well combined. Now, add the room-temperature eggs one at a time, mixing each one fully into the batter before adding the next. Then stir in the vanilla extract. Your batter should be smooth and glossy.

First, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, and salt together in a separate bowl.

Next, combine the flour mixture with the chocolate mixture and stir just until combined. It’s important to not overmix the batter. Then pour the finished batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out into an even layer with a rubber spatula or spoon.

Now, for the fun part! Heat the peanut butter in the microwave for approximately 20 to 30 seconds until it reaches a slightly runny consistency. Next, drizzle the warm peanut butter over the brownie batter while moving your hand in a swirling motion. Then use a knife or toothpick to carefully swirl the peanut butter more into the batter to create a marbling effect.

After you’ve marbled your brownies, transfer the baking pan to the preheated oven and bake them for 25 to 30 minutes. The brownies are ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges of them start to pull away from the sides of the pan. Then remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack. Now, let the brownies cool completely in the pan.

Once you let the brownies fully cool, gently lift them out of the pan with the overhanging parchment paper. Then cut your peanut butter brownies into squares and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream if you like!

Storage

You can store leftover peanut butter brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for about 2 days or in the fridge for about 1 week. You can also store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just let the frozen brownies thaw out at room temperature before serving.

Other Treats You’ll Love

• 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
• Chocolate and Peanut Butter Chip Crumb Cake
• Chocolate Frosting
• Chocolate Fudge Cookies
• Marbled Chocolate Banana Bread
• Granola Bars

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

5 from 3 votes

Peanut Butter Brownies

Prep 15 minutes minutes

30 minutes minutes

Total 45 minutes minutes

16

Rate Recipe Print Recipe

• Pin for Later

In need of a taste explosion? My Peanut Butter Brownies are a flavor-packed indulgence that pairs the classic, beloved combo of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter, creating an irresistibly gooey treat that's an absolute must-try for all dessert enthusiasts!

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

US CustomaryMetric

Ingredients

• ▢ 4 ounces dark chocolate (chopped)
• ▢ ½ cup butter (unsalted, melted)
• ▢ ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ▢ 1 cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
• In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the coarsely chopped dark chocolate and butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until the chocolate and butter are completely melted and smooth.
  
• Add the granulated sugar to the melted chocolate mixture and stir until well combined. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt.
  
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the chocolate mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
  
• Warm the peanut butter in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds until it becomes slightly runny. Drizzle the warm peanut butter over the brownie batter in a swirling motion. Use a knife or toothpick to gently swirl the peanut butter into the batter, creating a marbled effect.
  
• Transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out clean.
  
• Remove the pan from the oven and allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, lift the brownies out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into squares and serve.
  

Notes

1. For best results, make sure your ingredients are at room temperature before beginning.
2. The baking time can slightly vary based on your oven. Keep an eye on the brownies starting at the lower end of the recommended baking time.
3. You can use either smooth or chunky peanut butter depending on your preference. Natural peanut butter (without added sugar) also works well in this recipe.
4. The brownies will continue to set as they cool. For a firmer texture, allow them to cool completely before slicing.
5. If you prefer a less sweet dessert, you can reduce the sugar in the recipe by up to 25% without significantly affecting the texture.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1servingCalories: 200kcal (10%)Carbohydrates: 21g (7%)Protein: 3g (6%)Fat: 12g (18%)Saturated Fat: 6g (38%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 39mg (13%)Sodium: 71mg (3%)Potassium: 117mg (3%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 15g (17%)Vitamin A: 214IU (4%)Calcium: 15mg (2%)Iron: 1mg (6%)

© Author Joanna Cismaru

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.