Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

Savor the Fudgy Delights of Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

Embark on a cozy baking voyage with these Peanut Butter Cup Brownies, merging deep, glossy chocolate with pockets of melty peanut butter cups for a bakery-style finish at home.

Whether it’s a laid-back family night or a weekend treat tray, this pan brings the iconic candy-bar experience right to your table with minimal fuss and maximum joy.

Ideal for a celebratory evening or a casual get-together, this recipe captures that beloved fudgy-meets-gooey brownie bite—now supercharged with peanut butter cups. Ready to elevate dessert with rich flavor and crowd-pleasing texture? Let’s dive into this straightforward and utterly rewarding bake.

Fudgy and Gooey: Your New Go-To Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

These Peanut Butter Cup Brownies deliver crackly tops, dense centers, and creamy peanut-butter swirls from the candy pieces. Every square tastes like a brownie and a peanut butter cup decided to be best friends forever.

Because the method is simple, home bakers can master it quickly. Yet the results feel bakery-level, thanks to a shiny batter, balanced sweetness, and a clever mid-bake tap that tightens the crumb and boosts that coveted sheen. For more classic brownie inspo, you might also love these rich bars: The Best Homemade Brownies.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

1. Shiny Tops Come From Sugar + Heat: Whisk both sugars into the warm chocolate-butter mixture. This helps dissolve sugar crystals and creates that signature crackly top.
2. Egg Emulsion = Fudge Factor: Whisk the eggs thoroughly before folding in the dry ingredients. Consequently, you’ll lock in a dense, fudgy crumb.
3. Gentle Folding Prevents Toughness: Add flour and cocoa last, then fold just until streaks disappear. Overmixing builds gluten, which can make brownies cakey.
4. Mid-Bake Tap for Even Texture: After 12 minutes, tap the pan twice on the counter. Air bubbles rise and collapse, and the top becomes glossy.
5. Candy Placement Matters: Bake most cups inside the batter and press the rest on top as soon as the pan comes out. They’ll melt slightly and set into picture-perfect bites. If you adore peanut butter candy bakes, peek at this fun cousin: Peanut Butter Cup Cake Roll.

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies Recipe

• Preparation time: 15 minutes
• Cooking time: 20–24 minutes
• Servings: 9–16 squares (depending on cut)
• Equipment: 8×8-inch metal baking pan, parchment sling, double boiler (or heatproof bowl + simmering pot), whisk, spatula

With these Peanut Butter Cup Brownies, your kitchen becomes a sweet-tooth haven, echoing the joy of candy-aisle nostalgia in every fudgy bite. For more chocolate-and-peanut classics you can gift or share, check out these easy clusters: Crock-Pot Chocolate Peanut Clusters.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, cubed
• 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (110 g) light brown sugar, packed
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• ¾ cup (95 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 2 tablespoons Dutch process cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 18–20 mini peanut butter cups, halved

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Directions:

1. Prep the Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment, leaving overhang on two sides for a sling. Set aside.
2. Melt the Base: Over a double boiler, melt butter and chocolate until smooth and glossy. Remove from heat and cool 5 minutes.
3. Build the Shiny Batter: Whisk in granulated and brown sugars until combined and slightly thickened, about 1 minute.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Whisk in eggs and vanilla until the mixture looks satiny and well emulsified.
5. Fold Dry Ingredients: Add flour, cocoa, and salt. Using a spatula, fold gently just until no dry pockets remain. Do not overmix.
6. Layer the Candy: Spread about ⅔ of the batter in the pan. Evenly scatter half-pieces of mini peanut butter cups over the surface.
7. Cover and Level: Dollop the remaining batter on top. Use an offset spatula or knife to smooth it into an even layer.
8. Bake, Tap, and Finish: Bake on the center rack for 12 minutes. Remove and tap the pan twice firmly on the counter. Return to the oven and bake 8–12 minutes more. The edges will look set and pull slightly from the sides; the center should no longer jiggle.
9. Top with More Cups: Immediately press the remaining peanut butter cups into the hot surface so they melt in place.
10. Cool, Lift, and Slice: Cool completely in the pan on a rack. Use the parchment sling to lift, then slice into neat squares. Serve and enjoy. If you like bright brownie twists, these zesty bars are sunshiney and fun: Amazing Lemon Brownies.

Ready to Relish! Peanut Butter Cup Brownies Bliss

This pan delivers thick, fudgy squares with ripples of melty peanut butter cups in every bite. Because the batter is balanced and the method is clear, you get consistency without stress. Serve slightly warm with vanilla ice cream for full nostalgia, or chill the pan for ultra-clean cuts and a denser chew. For peanut-butter-forward no-bake treats, you might also love these quick cookies: Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies. And if brownies have your heart, keep exploring candy-bar-level desserts with this creamy classic: Easy Peanut Butter Pie.

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