These tasty peanut butter brownies are going to be your new favorite recipe. Not just because they are decadently delicious, but because they are so easy to make! 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 bars are really rich and fudgy, so just a small piece is all you'd need to take care of that sweet tooth craving.
Watch the video for easy directions and then scroll down for the recipe!
My husband would disagree on the small piece and go for a big one! Can you imagine these gooey peanut butter brownies served warm with a little vanilla ice cream? You won't believe how easy these are to make - using brownie mix or Cake Mix!
How to Make Peanut Butter Brownies
Scroll down to the bottom for all ingredients and measurements.
Start by preheating your oven to 35oº.
Spray a 9 by 13 baking pan with 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.
How to Make Peanut Butter Brownies Filling
Beat cream cheese and peanut butter together with a Hand 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 unbaked cake 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 Peanut Butter Brownies 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.
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 the brownies to cool before cutting into bars.

Peanut Butter Brownies
Ingredients
Bar Recipe
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1 egg room temp
- 8 TBSP unsalted butter melted
Filling Recipe
- 1 Package soft cream cheese
- 1 C creamy peanut butter
- 3 eggs room temp
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 8 TBSP 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. Be sure to check the bars about 10 minutes before. Different brand/model ovens may have slightly different temperature results.
- 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.
Nutrition
I can't wait to find out what you think of these Peanut Butter Brownies (also referred to as Ooey Gooey Bars!)
Be warned- these peanut butter chocolate bars with amazing chocolate ganache are addicting!
Looking for more chocolate recipes? Try these Mouse-Filled Cookie Cups or Chocolate Covered Pretzel Cupcakes! Watching your weight? Check out these delicious Weight Watchers Chocolate Desserts!
Mai T.
What a creative recipe! These would be awesome for date nights! Thanks for sharing.
Bogdan Sebastian
niceeee
Connie Lee
These bars look so delicious. I wish I had one right now!
DJ
These look dangerous! Chocolate and peanut butter are my favorite!
Melissa S
Omg, this looks awesome. Peanut butter cups are one of my favorite treats and I love chocolate cake, this is like the best of both.
Kim~madeinaday
Recipe sounds fantastic! I need to try to make Ganashe, Thanks for linking up to Merry Monday! Pinned & G+d Have a great week!
Kim
Shelley @ Calypso in the Country
Oh these look incredible! They wouldn't last 5 minutes in my house!
Shelley
Yvonne
I am not into using cake mix from the box as I prefer to bake my own. Any suggestions/recipes for me to bake the cake?
Kelly Stilwell
Any chocolate cake recipe or even a brownie recipe would work well. Let me know how it turns out! Thanks for visiting!
Linda at Mixed Kreations
Oh these look so moist and yummy! The hubby would love these, reeses peanut butter cups are one of his favorites. I will have to surprise him with these. Pinning! Thanks for sharing!
Kelly Stilwell
Thanks for visiting Linda! Hope your hubby loves them! Let me know 🙂
Gail Gouyton
Can;'t wait to try these....one question: What size package of chocolate chips? I'm guessing 12 oz??
kim
I followed your recipe exactly and my cake burned. The consistency of the cake batter didn't seem right
Kelly Stilwell
I'm so sorry that happened, Kim. This is a typical recipe for a brownie-like result with cake mix, so I'm not sure what went wrong. I will say that different ovens create different heat temps. I've had this happen to me enough times to know now to check whatever it is I'm baking 10 minutes or so before. I know that doesn't help all the work you went to and now have a non-edible result. I will add a note to check it 10 minutes before because of different oven temp results. Thank you for letting me know.
Analiz
How can I make the ganache without heavy cream? Is there any substitute for it?
Kelly Stilwell
I found this recipe, Analiz, but I have not tried it. If you are trying to eliminate the dairy, I think you could try just using melted chocolate. Let me know how it works out!
Sue
How do you check to see if its done? I know you said to check it 10 min. before. The top looks golden but seems a little jiggly underneath it. Don't want it not done when I cut it,
Kelly Stilwell
Hey Sue! As with anything I'm baking, I would use a toothpick inserted into the middle. Let me know how it turns out!
Marilyn Meggs
Look like a much easier version of chocolate peanut butter cheesecake. Thank you!!! Cheesecake is always a crap shoot. Making them tomorrow.
Lenoria
Yum!!!! I love this chocolate and peanut butter gooey dessert.
Kelly Stilwell
So good!!
Susanne Claypool
Help!!!! I’m ready to put the first layer in the oven and don’t see any place that says how long to bake it!,,
Kelly Stilwell
It's under "filling" Susanne! Bake at 350 degrees for 40- 50 minutes. **Either way, be sure to check the bars about 10 minutes before. Different brand/model ovens may have slightly different temperature results.**
Susanne Claypool
Ok, I see where it says to put second layer on top of UNBAKED first layer. My bad!
Kelly Stilwell
No worries friend! Glad I happened to be on to catch your comment! Enjoy and Happy Easter!
Daren Staten
There isn't anything about this that I don't like. Can't wait to try. But, what size package of cream cheese? Thanks
Kelly Stilwell
So sorry, Daren! The standard size, 8 oz. I know they make several sizes now so thanks for asking. I updated the recipe! Enjoy!
Shana
These are amazing. It was late when making Did a shortcut with store bought icing
Kelly Stilwell
So glad you liked them, Shana! Thanks for letting me know!
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?