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These Peanut Butter Brownie Bars are hands down the best peanut butter and chocolate combination I have created yet! Deliciousness! This is a simple brownie mix on the bottom with a creamy peanut butter middle and a dark chocolate top. Don't worry, it is a layer bar, but it is so simple to make! It is a great make ahead dessert, and would be perfect for any BBQ, picnic or holiday celebration!
This creation came about on a day that I was having trouble deciding what to make for a dessert. I always ask my family for ideas and suggestions and use them for a lot of my inspiration. I asked my sister what a good barbecue dessert would be and she suggested a peanut butter and chocolate dessert. She would suggest that because it is her favorite combo along with Chad's favorite and pretty much the family's favorite too. So it was settled, I would create a peanut butter and chocolate dessert. I was looking at recipes and really just combined a couple with a few tweaks and behold this glorious dessert was created.
This dessert was our July 4th celebration dessert. My sister and her family came over for a BBQ and evening fire. We had a good ole time playing volleyball, basketball, swimming, jumping on the trampoline and ended with roasting marshmallows. I do have to say that this dessert beat the roasted marshmallows! I'll take this fudgey brownie, smooth peanut butter filling and dark chocolate perfection over a roasted marshmallow any day!
As it turned out, this sweet treat was a huge success and the entire family gave it 2 thumbs up! I have a feeling these Peanut Butter Brownie Bars are going to be requested over and over again, they were that marvelous! Oh boy!
Peanut Butter Brownie Bars
Ingredients
Brownie Batter
- 1 cup salted butter, melted
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 2 cups unbleached all purpose flour, or whole wheat flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Peanut Butter Filling
- ¾ cup butter, melted
- 1½ cups creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Chocolate Ganache Topping
- 12 oz dark chocolate chips
- ¼ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- For the brownies, Preheat oven to 350. In a large mixing bowl mix together the melted butter and cocoa powder.
- Add the sugar and mix just until combined.
- Beat together the eggs and vanilla. Add to the chocolate mix and mix just until combined.
- Stir in the flour until combined. Batter will be thick.
- Spread batter evenly into a greased 9x13 baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean and let cool for 15-20 minutes.
- While the brownies are baking make the peanut butter filling, in a mixer beat together the melted butter, peanut butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar.
- Once the brownie is cooled drop the peanut butter mix by spoonfuls on top of the brownies. Spread evenly with your fingertips or rubber spatula to cover the entire dish.
- In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate and cream together for 30 seconds, stir. Melt in 10 second intervals after that if needed.
- Pour the chocolate over the peanut butter and spread out evenly.
- Let chill in refrigerator for at least one hour.
- Slice and serve!
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