These tasty chocolate peanut butter brownies are going to be your new favorite recipe. Think Reese's Peanut Butter Cups in a bar and you'll be on the right track.
I adore chocolate, and when you throw peanut butter into the mix? I'm sold! These fudgy brownies are so rich, just a small piece is all you'd need to take care of that sweet tooth craving.
My husband would disagree on the small piece and go for a big one! Can you imagine these gooey chocolate peanut butter brownies served warm with a little vanilla ice cream? You won't believe how easy these are to make - using our favorite cake mix!
And if you love peanut butter flavor, you've got to try these no bake peanut butter bars or these peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. Both are not only decadently delicious, but so easy to make!
Why We Love This Recipe
This recipe is super easy to make. We're using a boxed cake mix which couldn't be more simple, and jazzing it up with peanut butter filling and chocolate ganache. Heavenly!
This is a great recipe for parties as it makes 30 servings. Everyone will want the recipe! It's easy to see why this is the favorite brownie recipe on this site!
What Goes in this Dessert
Key Ingredients
Cake Mix - we've used Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Cake Mix. It's so rich, everyone will think it's made from scratch!
Peanut Butter and Cream Cheese - combined with a few other ingredients, this makes a rich and creamy peanut butter layer.
Chocolate Chips & Whipping Cream - creates a lovely ganache that goes on top of the brownies.
Watch the video for easy directions and then scroll down for the printable list of ingredients and full instructions.
My husband would disagree on the small piece and go for a big one! Can you imagine these gooey chocolate peanut butter brownies served warm with a little vanilla ice cream? You won't believe how easy these are to make - using our favorite cake mix!
How to the Make the Recipe
Scroll down to the bottom for all ingredients and measurements.
Start by preheating your oven to 350º.
Spray a 9 13 baking pan with baking spray or line with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl add the cake mix, egg, and butter beating well with an electric hand mixer or stand mixer.
Turn brownie batter into the pan.
Using your hands pat the brownie mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
How to Make the Peanut Butter Filling
To make the peanut butter mixture, beat cream cheese and peanut butter together with a Hand Mixer or stand mixer until smooth.
Add in eggs, vanilla, and butter beating all ingredients together.
Add in powdered sugar, beating well.
Using a spatula, spread this mixture over the top of brownie batter.
Bake at 350º for 40- 50 minutes. (Be sure to check the bars about 10 minutes before. Different brand/model ovens may have slightly different temperature results.)
Allow the brownies to cool in pan slightly before adding the chocolate topping.
How to Make the Ganache Topping
Using a Double Boiler
, bring water to a boil. Remove from heat.
Pour in the heavy whipping cream bringing to a simmer.
Put chocolate chips in a bowl.
Pour the heated heavy whipping cream over the chocolate chips.
Make sure that the heavy cream covers all of the chocolate chips.
Allow time for the chocolate chips to melt.
Gently whisk to incorporate the melted chocolate with the heavy whipping cream.
Spread over the brownies using a spoon or a spatula.
Allow the brownies to cool before cutting into bars.
The best part of baking is eating, right? Enjoy these with a tall glass of cold milk. This is also the perfect brownie to stick in lunch boxes for a special treat.
Variations
There is so much you could do with this recipe to change it up. Try one of these ideas next time:
- Peanut butter lovers might want to top the brownies with crunchy peanut butter or even peanut butter chips.
- You could use a knife to get swirls of peanut butter right into the chocolate brownies before baking instead of having the peanut butter layer on top.
- Instead of the 1 cup peanut butter, try a different nut butter like almond butter or cashew butter.
- For even more chocolate flavor, stir in dark chocolate or milk chocolate chips to make extra gooey brownies.
FAQs
Of course not! Feel free to make your own homemade brownies and follow the directions from there.
Not at all. The best peanut butter is based on preference. Choose regular smooth peanut butter, creamy natural peanut butter or even a peanut butter combo of crunchy and smooth. You can even use a different nut butter!
In an airtight container in the fridge, these brownies will keep for 5 to 7 days. You can also freeze them, but after a month or so the flavor will start to deteriorate.
Top Tip
When cutting these chocolate peanut butter brownies, it helps to use a plastic knife instead of a butter knife as they are really moist and gooey and will stick to the stainless knife. Let them cool before cutting.
I can't wait to find out what you think of these Peanut Butter Brownies!
Looking for more chocolate recipes? Try these Mouse-Filled Cookie Cups or chocolate Jamaican Rum Cake ! Watching your weight? Check out these delicious Weight Watchers Chocolate Desserts!
More Delicious Desserts
Peanut Butter Brownies
Ingredients
Bar Recipe
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1 egg room temp
- 8 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
Filling Recipe
- 1 Package soft cream cheese
- 1 C creamy peanut butter
- 3 eggs room temp
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 8 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
- 16 oz powdered sugar
Chocolate Ganache Recipe
- 1 ½ C semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 ½ C heavy whipping cream
Instructions
Bar Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease a 9 X 13 baking pan with a baking spray.
- In a medium bowl add the cake mix, egg, and butter beating well with an electric mixer.
- Using your hands pat the mixture into the bottom of the pan.
Filling Directions
- Beat cream cheese and peanut butter together with a Hand Mixer until smooth.
- Add in eggs, vanilla, and butter beating until well combined.
- Add in powdered sugar, beating well.
- Using a spatula spread this mixture over the unbaked cake batter.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 40- 50 minutes.
- Allow to cool in pan slightly before adding the chocolate topping.
Ganache Directions
- Using a Double Boiler, bring water to a boil. Remove from heat.
- Pour in the heavy whipping cream bringing to a simmer.
- Put chocolate chips in a bowl.
- Pour the heated heavy whipping cream over the chocolate chips.
- Make sure that the heavy cream covers all of the chocolate chips.
- Allow time for the chocolate chips to melt.
- Using a whisk gently whisk to incorporate the melted chocolate with the heavy whipping cream.
- Spread over the Ooey Gooey cake using a spoon or a spatula.
- Allow peanut butter brownies to cool before cutting into bars.
Darren G Van Beek
what size cream cheese package do you use, there is more than one size?
Kelly Stilwell
Hi Darren - cream cheese blocks are typically 8 ounces. Enjoy!
sharon collins
Where r the points listed for desserts
Kelly Stilwell
Hi Sharon - they are usually on the recipe card. This dessert is not Weight Watchers friendly. Sorry. I, too, wish it was! Try the Weight Watchers Brownies for 6 Points. Or search Weight Watchers desserts. I have quite a few.
Dan Miller
I used 12oz chocolate chips and it turned out very runny - does not solidify. Do I need more chips or less cream?
Kelly Stilwell
So sorry it didn't turn out for you, Dan. The recipe is correct: 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream and 12 ounces (which is 1 1/2 cups) of chocolate chips. Did you use a double boiler?