Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Brownies is a recipe from a reader named Louise. She emailed me a photo saying how great they were, so of course I had to try the recipe. Glad I did. These peanut butter blondies (because they're more like Blondies than Brownies, IMHO) are dense, moist, packed with peanut butter flavor. Also, they are not overly rich or sweet even though they’re topped with a chocolate ganache. As a bonus, they’re easy. I made a half batch today using things from around the kitchen and some Nestle chocolate chunks.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Brownies Pan Size
The recipe below is for a 13x9 inch pan, but you can also halve it and make it in an 8 inch pan, which is what I did. For the 8 inch version, I baked it at 350 for about 30 minutes. The brownies were great, but the edges were quite a bit more cooked than the center, so next time I halve it I’ll cook at a lower, slower heat like 325. Then again, next time I’ll probably just make a full batch. Louise says her full batch brownies were best when baked for only 35 minutes. She also used peanut butter chips in place of chocolate and liked it that way. Me, I liked the chocolate chunks.
Recipe
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Brownies with Chocolate Ganache
Ingredients
- 8 oz unsalted butter, cut up (230 grams)
- 1 ¾ cup granulated sugar (350 grams)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup peanut butter weight of 9 oz
- 2 large large egg plus 1 egg yolk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour 9 ounces – fluffed up before measuring, don’t scoop or pack**
- 1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chunks
Ganache:
- 1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chunks 9 oz
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter softened
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13x9 inch metal pan with foil and spray bottom with cooking spray or rub with butter.
- Cream the butter and sugar with an electric mixer. When light and fluffy, add peanut butter and beat until incorporated. Beat in eggs, the egg yolk, salt and vanilla. By hand, stir in the flour and chocolate chips. Spread batter in pan, patting it down flat, and bake on center rack for 35-40 minutes or until puffed and golden. Cool completely.
- Make the ganache. Put the chocolate chips in a heat-proof bowl. In a saucepan or in a microwave-safe measuring cup, heat the cream until starts to boil. Pour the cream over the chips and let stand for a minute. Stir well to melt chips; stir in the butter. Spread on cooled brownies and let set.
- Makes 36 bars
Karen says
Finally got around to baking these this week. I didn't change anything, they were really, really easy and good and kept well. These will be made again.
Chaya says
Every time, I come here, I find something I want to make. This is today's choiice. I have mentioned in one of my blogs that I bake for my class and this should be a winner with them.
Sara says
I made these yesterday and they are so, so good! I made a half batch in a 9x9 metal cake pan, baked at 325 for about 28 or 30 mins. I used 7 tbsp butter and an extra tbsp or two of PB, also subbed out a bit of sugar with 1/4 cup splenda. Also, I couldn't decide on PB chips or chocolate chunks, so I took half the batter and added PB chips and the other half chocolate chunks. I baked right in the same pan and then frosted the PB chip half only with ganache. YUM! Not too dry at all, but not at all greasy.
Chelsey Green says
this looks SOO DElicious!!!!
Look at my blog!
CookTeen.blogspot.com
Stephanie says
I've had a recipe very similar to this bookmarked for a very long time now. Maybe I'll finally get around to making it, or this one! - you've inspired me!
Nicole M. says
These look heavenly - definitely not on my Weight Watchers plan! :o(
bakingblonde says
I l ove the sounds of these! Can't wait to give them a try!
Rosie says
Those bars look amazing!! Gosh i really need to bake these for a good fix of PB and choc - YUM
Dolce says
I baked similar brownies (blondies?) from a Smitten Kitchen recipe and they were great indeed. Very rich, though, so I will keep it for fall / winter season 🙂
Louise says
Sue, I think that's why I prefer these with pb chips instead of cc's, and I love chocolate. The other change I always do to this recipe that I forgot to tell Anna, is I use bittersweet chocolate for the ganache. My husband's not a frosting fan, but he likes these too.
Sue says
Do you think there's something wrong with a person who loves chocolate but finds chocolate ganache too much? This same person (me) isn't wild about frosting in general. I've made ganache that other people swoon over and beg for me to make again, but it just doesn't trip my trigger.
These look great. Maybe I should try them with just a drizzle of ganache?
LisAway says
I made this recipe off Smitten kitchen maybe 2years ago and it's a regular for me ever since. I leave off the ganache, though. At least for every day use, and it's still fantastic with just some nice dark chocolate chunks. Mmmmm.
Tracy says
Oh my.
Must make those!
Claire says
I think I shall make these!! They look great...moist and yummy. BTW, I made those peach scones you posted the recipe for the other day and they were wonderful!!! I'll be posting them soon!
Louise says
I use more chunky peanut butter but I haven't cut back on the butter. They don't seem the least bit greasy. And pb chips instead of chocolate chips. I like the intense pb flavor. It seems to pair well with the ganache. And, like Anna said, I bake them less as I think they are overbaked as called for. I've made them several times over the last six months and they've been a hit everywhere I've taken them.
janet says
Hello! WOW, those brownies look sooooo good! Thank you for all the inspiration you supply us with in your blog! AND the fantastic (well tested and fail proof) recipes! You're the BEST!!! Love you!
Sara says
These look so amazing - what do you think about using a touch less butter and a bit more peanut butter?
Kerstin says
These look really addicting with all those chocolate chunks!
I saved your sugar cookie recipe below too, which I'm excited to try - what a cool auction idea, I would have totally bid 🙂
I hope Fuzz feels better soon!!
Gigi says
mmmm...they look almost blondie-esque! I love peanut butter with chocolate - might have to give them a try.
BTW - love the new look!
Louise says
The recipe came from Gourmet, October 2007. It doesn't seem to be on their website or Epicurious.
VeggieGirl says
No need to kick yourself - just be happy that you DID finally make those tasty bars 😀
Shabneez says
Oh, those look so good! I have a feeling I'm going to be thinking about them until I finally just give in and make them! 🙂
dawn says
I keep seeing these bars everywhere! They make me sooo hungry. It's just too hot to turn on the oven. Love that photo though.