Peanut Butter Brookies – Recipe!

Peanut Butter Brookies combine the best of peanut butter cookies and fudgy brownies into one delicious treat – beautifully chewy and rich.

These Peanut Butter Brookies are two layered bar cookies that have a bottom layer of peanut butter cookie and a top layer of brownie.  I used chunky peanut butter in this recipe, instead of smooth, because I enjoy those extra pieces of nuts inside.

The brownie layer is all about using good cocoa powder, so choose something with a deep rich hue that gives a chocolaty punch.  A black cocoa powder or dark has some amazing qualities and sometimes I like to mix Dutch cocoa powder with a darker cocoa for a nice balance of flavors.

After being baked and cooled, I cut these Peanut Butter Brookies into squares — you can cut them into smaller bites, if you choose, because they are pretty rich.  One bite of these fudgy nutty bar cookies and you will be in dessert heaven.

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Ingredients

Peanut Butter Layer

1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons chunky peanut butter

1 cup light brown sugar

1 large egg + 2 yolks

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Brownie Layer

13 tablespoons butter

1 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons light brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 1/2 ounce salt peanuts, roughly chopped

*Tips

• eggs are easier to combine when they are room temperature
• Dutch process cocoa means it’s less acidic than other varieties
• you can substitute dark brown sugar for light, it will give these Brookies a little more molasses flavor
• smooth peanut butter will work beautifully too

(Makes 12 Squares)

To Prepare:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line 9 x 9 square pan with parchment – edges hanging over – and spray with cooking spray.
2. Peanut Butter Layer — In a stand mixer, mix peanut butter and brown sugar for 2 minutes, then add eggs.  Mix for 2 minutes and scrape down sides of bowl.  Add flour, baking soda and salt and mix on low until just combined.  Spoon into prepared pan and smooth out evenly.
3. Brownie Layer — Add butter and cocoa powder to a microwave safe bowl and heat on high for 1 minute.  Remove and stir until smooth, set aside.
4. Add sugar, salt, vanilla and eggs to a stand mixer or large bowl and mix for 2 minutes.  Add flour and melted butter mixture and mix on low until just combined.  Layer on top of peanut butter mixture in pan.
5. Sprinkle top with peanuts and bake for 25-28 minutes or until mostly firm.  Remove and let cool before slicing.  Enjoy!

These Peanut Butter Brookies are the best combination of flavors and loved by so many!  They are the perfect portable treat.