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
Recipe
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.
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!
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!
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!
Aimee Lang
In the video it says to bake the bottom layer then add filling
Kelly Stilwell
Hi Aimee - Actually, you bake after you add the filling. You just set aside the bottom layer until the filling is mixed. Enjoy!
Lenoria
Yum!!!! I love this chocolate and peanut butter gooey dessert.
Kelly Stilwell
So good!!
Marilyn Meggs
Look like a much easier version of chocolate peanut butter cheesecake. Thank you!!! Cheesecake is always a crap shoot. Making them tomorrow.
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!
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!
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.
Gail Gouyton
Can;'t wait to try these....one question: What size package of chocolate chips? I'm guessing 12 oz??
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 🙂
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!
Shelley @ Calypso in the Country
Oh these look incredible! They wouldn't last 5 minutes in my house!
Shelley
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
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.
DJ
These look dangerous! Chocolate and peanut butter are my favorite!
Connie Lee
These bars look so delicious. I wish I had one right now!
Bogdan Sebastian
niceeee
Mai T.
What a creative recipe! These would be awesome for date nights! Thanks for sharing.