I’ve put peanut butter cups into so many recipes on my blog and in Peanut Butter Comfort.
And these fudgy brownies go from really good to get-them-out-of-my-house after adding peanut butter cups.
It’s a fast, one-bowl, no mixer recipe that’s as easy as using a mix.
The brownies are ultra fudgy, not at all cakey, ridiculously rich, boldly chocolaty, and there’s a full-size peanut butter cup for each brownie.
Peanut butter and chocolate is such a perfect combination and each brownie has it’s own peanut butter cup. No skimping here.
When you bite down through the decadent, fudgy brownie and the soft, salty-yet-sweet peanut butter cup at the same time, it’s such a perfect bite.
I like the recipe because it makes an 8-inch square pan which serves 9 generously, but if you need more, I’m sure doubling the recipe and baking in a 9×13-inch pan will be fine although I haven’t personally tried.
The brownies are guaranteed to be a hit at any party or event.
Who can resist those big peanut butter cups staring back at you?
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Fudgy Peanut Butter Cup Brownies
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, 1 stick
- 6 ounces dark or bittersweet chocolate, chopped (I used Trader Joe’s 72% Pound Plus Bar)
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon brewed coffee, leftover or cold coffee is okay, optional but recommended
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso granules, optional but recommended
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 9 full-size peanut butter cups, unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-inch square pan with aluminum foil leaving overhang and spray with cooking spray, or grease and flour the pan; set aside.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, add the butter, chocolate, and heat on high power to melt, about 2 minutes. Stop to check and stir after 1 minute. Heat in 15-second increments until chocolate has melted and mixture can be stirred smooth. Allow mixture to cool momentarily before adding the eggs so they don’t scramble.
- Add the eggs, sugar, vanilla, optional coffee, optional espresso granules (neither make brownies taste like coffee and both enhance and round out the chocolate flavor), optional salt, and whisk vigorously to combine.
- Add the flour, salt, and stir until smooth and combined without overmixing.
- Turn batter out into prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula as necessary.
- Evenly add the peanut butter cups to the brownies using three rows of three. Using your finger, gently push each peanut butter cup down so it’s flush with the batter.
- Bake for about 26 to 27 minutes, or until center has just set and is no longer glossy. A toothpick should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter. Allow brownies to cool in pan on top of a wire rack for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving. The peanut butter cups will likely become very melty and messy if you slice too early. Brownies will keep airtight at room temp for up to 1 week, in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 6 months. I prefer these brownies slightly chilled and store them in the fridge.
- Adapted from The Best Turtle Brownies
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I had some extra peanut butter cup miniatures left over from Christmas, so I decided to use them instead and make the brownies a bit smaller. I used 12 PB cups (3 rows of 4 each), and they still are a good size brownie. With all the recipes I’ve been baking from your site, I need to cut things down a little so I can still fit in my jeans! Thanks again, Averie!
Thanks for trying the recipe (and so many others recently) and I’m glad it came out great for you and that you were able to use up some of your mini PB cups from Xmas! Love it when I can clean out my pantry stash :)
Phew! This recipe is my kryptonite! Delicious!
These would be the most dangerous things EVER to enter my house. Not only are fudgy brownies my favorite dessert (kind of basic & lame, for a baking blogger!), but… My guy hates PB. So I’d have to eat them all myself. What a bummer that would be… Well, unless calories didn’t exist! ;)