Peanut Butter Cup Brownies Recipe
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 35 bars 1x
Description
These decadent brownies feature a hidden peanut butter cup in each piece, offering a delightful surprise with every bite.
Ingredients
- 11 oz (310 g) (35 pieces) miniature peanut butter cups, unwrapped
- 12 oz (340 g) unsalted butter, cut into 1″ slices
- 4&1/2 oz (130 g) unsweetened baking chocolate, chopped into small pieces
- 10 oz (285 g) bittersweet chocolate chips
- 6 large eggs, at room temperature
- 10&1/2 oz (300 g) granulated sugar
- 12 oz (340 g) light brown sugar
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1&1/2 cups (360 ml) all purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 4 tbsp (60 ml) chopped salted peanuts
- 4 tbsp (60 ml) milk chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch metal baking pan and line it with foil, then grease the foil as well.
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Remove from heat and immediately add the chopped unsweetened chocolate and bittersweet chocolate, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
- Stir in the sugar and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the mixture is glossy and smooth.
- Gently fold in the flour and salt until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly.
- Place the miniature peanut butter cups evenly over the batter in the pan.
- Pour the remaining batter over the peanut butter cups, spreading it to cover them completely.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting them out using the foil. Cut into 35 bars and serve.
Notes
- Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For a more intense chocolate flavor, use high-quality chocolate.
- You can substitute bittersweet chocolate with semi-sweet if preferred.
- Ensure the brownies are completely cool before cutting to maintain clean edges.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Chocolate
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 100
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 40
If You Liked This Recipe, You’ll Love These
- Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Brownie Tart
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Lava Cake
- Easy Peanut Butter Cups
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the miniature peanut butter cups sandwiched between two layers of batter rather than placed on top?
Placing all 35 unwrapped miniature peanut butter cups as a middle layer — poured over with remaining batter until completely covered — means each bar has a hidden peanut butter cup inside. That’s what the excerpt calls “a sunken peanut treasure in each piece.”
Why does this recipe use three types of chocolate?
Unsweetened baking chocolate (4½ oz/130 g) and bittersweet chips (10 oz/285 g) combine in the batter for deep, layered chocolate flavor, while 4 tbsp (60 ml) milk chocolate chips on top add a sweeter finish. The notes suggest swapping bittersweet for semi-sweet if you want a milder chocolate flavor.
How do I get clean cuts when slicing the brownies into 35 bars?
The notes say to allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting. The foil lining (greased and used to line the 9×13-inch pan) makes removal easy — lift the whole slab out using the foil, then cut on a flat surface for clean edges. 
