Thursday, September 8, 2011

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies


There are some recipes I know will be a huge hit before I even try them. This is one such recipe. What made me believe these Peanut Butter Cup Brownies would go over like gangbusters? Well, it's a rich, fudgey chocolate brownie. With peanut butter cups in the batter. Topped with a chocolate cream cheese icing. With more peanut butter cups sprinkled on top. What could go wrong?

And these brownies lived up to my expectations. They are simply divine. The base brownie itself is excellent, the frosting has a nice tang from the cream cheese, and the peanut butter cup topping is a show-stopper. Put a plate of these brownies out on your work desk and dare people to walk past without stopping for one. There is no such thing as a diet around these.

These brownies do have a downside, though. They're a bit messy to eat, especially right after being frosted. After a couple of hours the frosting will harden a bit. I know it will be hard to suffer through the sweet chocolate and peanut butter mess, but I promise you can make it though. I believe in you. The other drawback is that these brownies don't last very long, mostly because they have a tendency to jump into your hand when you're not looking. And then you have to eat it. It would be rude not to.



PEANUT BUTTER CUP BROWNIES

for the brownies:
1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter
3 oz unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 c. sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2/3 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 c. peanut butter cups, chopped

for the frosting:
3 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 c. peanut butter cups, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 8 x 8 inch pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Grease this pan lining with a light coat of non-stick spray.

2. In a 2-quart or larger saucepan, melt together the butter and unsweetened chocolate over low heat. Remove from the heat. With a wooden spoon, stir in the sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Add in vanilla. Stir in the flour and baking soda, mixing just to combine. Fold in the peanut butter cup pieces.

3. Pour batter into prepared baking pan. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Place pan of brownies on a wire rack to cool.

4. Once brownies are cooled, remove them from the pan by lifting out the lining. In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and powdered sugar. In a small saucepan, over low heat, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Remove from heat and pour the chocolate over the cream cheese mixture and mix to combine. Frost the cooled brownies. Top with chopped peanut butter cups. Press on the peanut butter cup pieces slightly. Cut brownies and serve, or store in an air-tight container.

Source: Anyone Can Bake, by Better Homes and Gardens, pg. 126.

This recipe is shared with Melt in Your Mouth Monday, Craft-O-Maniac, On the Menu Monday, Recipe Sharing Monday, Made by You Monday, Tuesday Talent Show, This Chick Cooks, Full Plate Thursday, It's a Keeper Thursday, Sweet Tooth Friday, Fresh Food Friday, Sweets for a Saturday, Sweet Indulgences Sunday, Cast Party Wednesday

15 comments:

  1. Yum! These look so fantastic, love peanut butter cups

    http://chicgeekery.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  2. I printed your recipe so I can make these for my son when he comes to visit. He will love these!

    ReplyDelete
  3. 2/3 of my kids LOVE peanut butter cups..they would be thrilled with these gems!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow. Cream cheese iced brownies AND peanut butter cups? Speechless.

    My linky party, Crazy Sweet Tuesday, is still open until later tonight. I'd love for you to join!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I LOVE chocolate cream cheese frosting! This is genius :) Come link up to my Sweet Treats Party this weekend! Hope to see you there!!

    Ashton @ Something Swanky
    Sweet Treats Thursday {Thu-Sun}

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have no words. I literally have no words for how much I want this right now. Oh my god.

    ReplyDelete
  7. These sound absolutely amazing! I love peanut butter cups. YUM!!! This is definitely on my must make list!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh.my.gosh. these are too fabulous. however, since I am now following Weight Watchers I may have to stop following your blog if you keep this up! ::sigh::

    ReplyDelete
  9. That's some serious peanut butter cup brownies. They looks rich and delicious! Love them! Thanks for sharing on Sweet Indulgences Sunday.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Reeces products are finally available here in Australia and I just bought some yesterday! I will be making this during the week for sure! Yum!

    Best wishes and happy weekend,
    Natasha.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Abby, thank you so much for this sweet treat! Bringing it to ON THE MENU MONDAY makes this linky party so sweet!
    I love chocolate peanut butter cups... and putting them in a brownie makes them over-the-top!
    Yvonne

    ReplyDelete
  12. These would definitely jump from my hand right into mouth!

    ReplyDelete
  13. These look great! I love anything with peanut butter in them (:

    ReplyDelete
  14. looks pretty darn tempting :)

    lov the name of your blog~

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to comment on my blog. I love hearing from you!