Fudgy Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies
Dense, fudgy brownies paired with swirls of rich peanut butter for a decadent dessert treat. This desserts ready in about 50 minutes layers (113g) unsalted butter, (170g) semisweet chocolate chips, (200g) granulated sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 16, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (170g) semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup (95g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (25g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup (85g) creamy peanut butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Step 2: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter and 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips together in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth and glossy.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup brown sugar into the melted chocolate mixture until combined and slightly cooled.
- Step 4: Add 2 large eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 5: Sift together 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, and 1/4 tsp salt; fold gently into the chocolate batter until just combined.
- Step 6: Pour half the batter into the prepared pan, then drop spoonfuls of 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter evenly on top; pour the remaining batter over and use a knife to swirl the peanut butter through the batter.
- Step 7: Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs but not wet batter.
- Step 8: Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting out using the parchment overhang; cut into 16 squares and serve.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Fudgy Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Fudgy Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Fudgy Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Fudgy Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 16 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 16). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Fudgy Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies?
Desserts desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
