I’m starting to realize that I make too many bar cookies. Brownies, blondies, bars, it seems like I’m posting at least one a week. I obviously have a real problem.
These are your average brownies but with peanut butter in the center and swirled on top. They turned out so pretty and I was so excited to take a picture of the entire swirly pan – until my 3 year old decided it was a good idea to stick his finger right in the center of it. I’m hoping you guys can see how pretty the swirls are but if you can’t, just trust me on it.
And how do they taste? Unbelievable. They’re very cakey brownies and the peanut butter is almost like the peanut butter from the Reeses PB Cups but softer. Oh yeah. I will be making them again very soon with the addition of some chopped peanuts. I cannot wait.
Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies
adapted from Martha Stewart
For the batter:
- 8 tablespoons 1 stick unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, plus more for pan
- 6 ounces good-quality semisweet chocolate (coarsely chopped)
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For the filling:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
- ¾ cup smooth peanut butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan and line with parchment, allowing a 2-inch overhang. Butter lining (not overhang).
- Make batter: Put butter and chocolates in a heatproof medium bowl set over a pan of simmering water; stir until melted. Let cool slightly. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Whisk granulated sugar into chocolate mixture. Add eggs, and whisk until mixture is smooth. Stir in vanilla. Add flour mixture; stir until well incorporated.
- Make filling: Stir together butter, confectioners’ sugar, peanut butter, salt, and vanilla in a bowl until smooth.
- Pour one-third of batter into prepared pan; spread evenly with a rubber spatula. Drop dollops of peanut butter filling (about 1 tablespoon each) on top of batter, spacing about 1 inch apart. Drizzle remaining batter on top, and gently spread to fill pan. Drop dollops of remaining filling on top. Gently swirl peanut butter filling into batter with a butter knife, running the knife lengthwise and crosswise through layers.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted into brownies comes out with a few crumbs but is not wet, about 45 minutes. Let cool slightly in pan, about 15 minutes. Lift out; let cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into squares
assfacerobot says
Just had one with some vanilla ice cream. Delicious. And yes, they look great, too.
Want. Rest. Of. Pan.
Jeannie says
Wow! I love the look of these brownies! Awesome, am going to try it soon. THanks for sharing!
.-= Jeannie´s last blog ..Mieng Kham =-.
Laney says
I made these last night and they were excellent! Mine didn’t turn out as pretty as Amanda’s but they tasted great.
Lisa says
Have you tried making these using boxed brownie mix and then using the topping as stated?
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Toffee Saltine Bars =-.
amanda says
I haven’t tried it but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. Let me know if you give it a try. :D
Pamela says
Oh no…you can never have to many cookies of any kind! Yum.
.-= Pamela´s last blog ..CEiMB-Mixed Berry Cobbler =-.
Emily says
These look yummy! I’m definitely adding them to the top of my “To Make” list.
.-= Emily´s last blog ..Dulce de Leche Peach Tart =-.
Laney says
Is there a trick to lifting it out of the pan? Or do you think it would be ok to just let it cool completely in the pan?
amanda says
I always leave enough parchment hanging over the side so that I can lift it out. With an 8 x 8 pan I can lift it out myself without it tearing but anything bigger, I have the get my husband to grab one side while I grab the other. Good luck! :)
Laney says
I never thought of that! Thanks!!
Honey says
OMG… these look so good! I’ve tried making similar brownies twice and both times it was a failure becuase the PB was too salty.
OMG.. i have to try these.
great job!
.-= Honey´s last blog ..Broccoli Mac & Cheese REDUCED FAT =-.
siri says
I could totally go for one of these right now! Peanut butter is hard to come by in Norway, but I’d ration out a jar just to make a batch of these. They look like they’d be perfect after a long hike. Or maybe just on a lazy Sunday afternoon with a cup of coffee. Martha S is the best.
.-= siri´s last blog ..Homemade Baby Food- Sweet and Savory Chicky =-.
The Blue-Eyed Bakers says
Too many bars or brownies?! Not possible. And adding peanut butter to anything just makes it a million times more delicious!
.-= The Blue-Eyed Bakers´s last blog ..Easy Oreo Peanut Butter Pie =-.
Kim says
Oh-MY-GOD!!!! These brownies looks so scrumptious!!!!!!
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Petits fours glacés au chocolat et aux noisettes =-.
Erin says
I have the same bar addiction. They are definitely what I make the most. And, these will be next on the list!
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Huckleberry Muffins =-.
briarrose says
Lovely and they look delicious!
.-= briarrose´s last blog ..Oatmeal Cookies =-.
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday says
Yeah, those looks pretty amazing.
AudraG says
Yum! One of my favorite combos. Might need to warm the oven up this weekend and try these out.
Breige says
Wow, these look amazing!!
.-= Breige´s last blog ..I have some stalkers… =-.