Peanut Butter Brownies

There’s not that much to say about these really; peanut butter mixed into brownie batter and baked.

I’ve said before how much I love the combination of peanut butter and chocolate. It really is a classic and in a brownie it’s just perfect for chasing away those “But isn’t it meant to be spring?” blues. Is anyone else getting just a bit fed up of the seemingly constant rain? I know we desperately need it but it’s making life rather gloomy, not to mention the havoc it’s playing with my hair.

This is my go to brownie recipe and the same one that I use for Espresso Brownies. It’s very versatile and doesn’t mind being messed about with. You can chuck in pretty much whatever you fancy and they’ll come out fine, it’s more or less fail proof.

Take the recipe without the peanut butter and have a play. Want to increase the chocolate goodness? Sling in some chocolate chips. Or maybe some M&M’s. Nuts? Chop some almonds or walnuts and stir them through. Cherries? Raspberries? It really is down to what you’re in the mood for.

Enjoy them. Have fun. That’s what their mission is in life!

Peanut Butter Brownies

Makes around 15 depending on how big you cut your squares. Of course, you could them into bite-sized pieces, pop them in a bag tied with some pretty ribbon et voila, homemade gifts ready to go!

180g butter

200g dark chocolate

220g soft dark brown sugar

175g crunchy peanut butter

3 large eggs, beaten

75g plain flour

50g cocoa powder

½ tsp baking powder

Preheat the oven to 170c fan/gas 4 and line a brownie tin with greaseproof paper.

Melt the butter and chocolate together, either in a microwave or in a bowl over a saucepan of simmering water.

Once melted together, give it a brief mix to make sure it’s smooth then add the sugar, eggs and peanut butter. Stir well.

Add the flour, baking powder and cocoa and mix again until combined.

Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin, smooth the top and bake for approx 30 minutes. I start checking mine after 20 as every oven will vary, you’re looking for there to still be a slight wobble in the centre.

Cool on a wire rack.

If you liked this then you might like:

• Recipe: Chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting
• Peanut butter and chocolate popcorn
• We should Cocoa: Black Forest Trifle
• Date and banana chocolate brownies
• Peanut Butter Cake Truffles

About Sian Reynolds

I'm Sian, mother to a three year old who thinks she’s a teenager and a husband who has issues with cows. Both have insatiable appetites and are rather fond of cake. And chocolate. And cheese. Freelance this and that, coffee drinker, food blogger. I seem to spend most of my time in the kitchen, with one eye on the laptop and the other watching the toddler run around with a colander on her head.

30. April 2012 by Sian Reynolds
Categories: Cake, muffins and brownies | Tags: Brownies, Chocolate, Peanut Butter | 10 comments