• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cookie Dough Diaries
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Cookies
    • Brownies and Bars
    • No Bake Desserts
    • Cakes and Cupcakes
    • Muffins, Scones, and Loaves
    • Vegan Desserts
    • Drinks & Smoothies
  • About
    • About Me
    • FAQ
  • Work With Me
    • Portfolio
  • Subscribe
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Work With Me
  • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home > Recipes > Brownies and Bars > Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

    Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

    Published on April 27, 2023. Last updated on April 27, 2023. By Gabby. 10 Comments

    437 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    This post contains affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here.

    Jump to Recipe

    These chocolate peanut butter brownies might be the most decadent and delicious brownies ever! These chocolate fudgy brownies are stuffed with a thick layer of peanut butter in every bite. Plus, you only need 9 ingredients, one bowl, and there's no mixer required!

    Three Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies stacked on top of each other

    If you've tried my Biscoff brownies or my Nutella brownies, you'll know I love stuffed brownie recipes. I'm also a major peanut butter lover, so I knew it was time to make a chocolate peanut butter brownie recipe!

    If you want an extra peanut butter kick I recommend sprinkling the top with some peanut butter chips just before baking, or mixing them right into the batter!

    Why You'll Love These Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

    • These peanut butter brownies use simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.
    • The peanut butter layer is frozen before baking, giving you an extra thick layer of peanut butter inside the brownies.
    • Because these chocolate peanut butter brownies don’t have any leaveners and only a small amount of flour, they’re extra fudgy and chewy!
    • I’m only using cocoa powder in these brownies, so no need to melt any chocolate.

    Ingredients Needed

    Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies ingredients in bowls
    • Butter: feel free to use regular butter or dairy free butter! The recipe has been tested both ways.
    • Flour: I’m using all purpose flour here, but you can swap it out for gluten free all purpose 1-1 baking flour if you’re gluten intolerant.
    • Peanut Butter: you can use commercial peanut butter like Skippy’s or natural peanut butter (the type with oil on top!).
    • Cocoa Powder: I recommend using unsweetened dutch processed cocoa powder. 
    • Chocolate Chips: totally optional but you can add some semi sweet chocolate chips or peanut butter chips on top of the brownie batter just before baking, or mix it directly into the batter.

    Step by Step Instructions

    Note: Full ingredient measurements and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

    Step 1: Line your 8x8 baking pan with wax paper on all four sides (this helps the peanut butter not stick!). Melt the peanut butter in the microwave or on the stove.

    Pour the melted peanut butter into the pan and then freeze for one to two hours - you’ll know it’s ready when you can remove the peanut butter in one piece.

    Step 2: Once the peanut butter has frozen, preheat the oven to 350°Fahrenheit. In a small bowl, combine the flour with the salt and cocoa powder.

    Step 3: Melt the butter in the microwave or over the stove, then pour into a medium bowl. Add in both sugars and whisk until it becomes very thick and starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl. 

    Step 4: Add in the eggs and vanilla extract, then finally stir in the dry ingredients until just combined. 

    Step 5: Take the frozen baking pan out of the freezer and remove the wax paper with the peanut butter. Line the pan with parchment paper, making sure it is slightly overhanging so you can easily lift the brownies out once cooled. 

    Step 6: Pour half of the brownie batter into the prepared pan. Peel the peanut butter layer off of the wax paper and place it on top of the brownie batter. 

    Step 7: Pour the rest of the brownie batter on top and spread it so it is evenly covering the peanut butter layer. You can sprinkle the top with chocolate chips or peanut butter chips now if you wish!

    Step 8: Bake the chocolate peanut butter brownies for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with a few wet crumbs. 

    Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies instructions shown in six steps

    FAQs and Expert Tips

    Why hasn’t my peanut butter frozen yet?

    Depending on the type of peanut butter used (commercial versus natural) will vary the amount of time needed in the freezer! You might need around 2 hours, so make sure the peanut butter has frozen into one solid layer before starting the rest of the recipe.

    Can I use a different nut butter?

    Sure thing! Feel free to use almond butter if you have a peanut allergy.

    Can I make a bigger batch of these brownies?

    Yep! Double the ingredients and use a 9x13 pan!

    chocolate peanut butter brownies cut into squares with one in the middle on its side

    Expert Tips

    • Make these peanut butter brownies dairy free by using dairy free butter, or gluten free by using gluten free flour!
    • Try to line the baking pan with wax paper and not parchment paper when you freeze the peanut butter layer, it will make it much easier to peel the frozen peanut butter off later! 
    • You don’t want to over-bake these brownies, so take a look after 30 minutes and then check every 3-4 minutes. 
    • Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before lifting them out and slicing them, otherwise they might fall apart.

    Storage and Freezing Instructions

    Store these chocolate peanut butter brownies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days.

    More Peanut Butter Recipes You'll Love

    • Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
    • Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
    • Vegan Peanut Butter Oat Cookies
    • Vegan Reeses Peanut Butter Cups

    If you make this recipe, let me know how it went in the comments below, I’d love to hear from you! You can also tag me on Instagram or Facebook so I can check it out!

    chocolate peanut butter brownies cut into squares with one in the middle on its side

    Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

    Gabby
    These chocolate peanut butter brownies are stuffed with a thick layer of peanut butter in every bite. Plus, you only need 9 ingredients, one bowl, and no mixer required!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
    Bake 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 brownies
    Calories 298 kcal

    Video

    Equipment

    • 1 8x8 Square Baking Pan
    • Mixing Bowl
    • Whisk

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1¼ cup creamy peanut butter
    • ¾ cup butter, melted (regular or vegan)
    • 2 eggs
    • ¾ cup light brown sugar
    • ¾ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
    • ¾ teaspoon salt
    • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
    • ¾ cup unsweetened dutch processed cocoa powder

    Instructions
     

    • Line your 8x8 baking pan with wax paper on all four sides (this helps the peanut butter not stick!). Melt the peanut butter in the microwave or on the stove. Pour the melted peanut butter into the pan and then freeze for one to two hours - you’ll know it’s ready when you can remove the peanut butter in one piece.
    • Once the peanut butter has frozen, preheat the oven to 350°Fahrenheit. In a small bowl, combine the flour with the salt and cocoa powder.
    • Melt the butter in the microwave or over the stove, then pour into a medium bowl. Add in both sugars and whisk until it becomes very thick and starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl. 
    • Add in the eggs and vanilla extract, then finally fold in the dry ingredients until just combined. 
    • Take the frozen baking pan out of the freezer and remove the wax paper with the peanut butter. Line the pan with parchment paper, making sure it is slightly overhanging so you can easily lift the brownies out once cooled. 
    • Pour half of the brownie batter into the prepared pan. Peel the peanut butter layer off of the wax paper and place it on top of the brownie batter. 
    • Pour the rest of the brownie batter on top and spread it so it is evenly covering the peanut butter layer. You can sprinkle over chocolate chips or peanut butter chips now if you wish!
    • Bake the chocolate peanut butter brownies for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with a few wet crumbs. 

    Notes

    Lining the Pan: Be sure to line the pan so that all four sides are covered when freezing the peanut butter so that you can easily remove the layer in one piece.
    Measuring Flour and Cocoa Powder: Properly measure your flour and cocoa powder using either a kitchen scale or the scoop and level method.
    Baking Time: Baking time will vary based on your oven or the pan you use. I recommend using an aluminum baking pan for brownies. If using a glass baking dish instead of aluminium, keep in mind that the brownies will take longer to bake.
    Optional: add chocolate chips or peanut butter chips to the batter or on top of the brownies before baking.
    Storage Instructions: Store un-sliced in the pan, covered tightly with tinfoil 3-4 days. Store sliced brownies at room temperature in an airtight container. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 298kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 7gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.05gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 276mgPotassium: 207mgFiber: 3gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 434IUCalcium: 28mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    The calorie information provided for this recipe is an estimate. The accuracy of the calories listed is not guaranteed.

    « Oreo Muffins
    Churro Cookies »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Mohd Akhtar

      August 03, 2023 at 5:35 pm

      5 stars
      Very nice recipe please Grams for all recipe sand me please

      Reply
      • Gabby

        August 08, 2023 at 7:23 pm

        All measurements in grams can be found by toggling to Metric from US Customary - the toggle button is right under the Ingredients heading!

        Reply
    2. DS

      July 19, 2023 at 1:34 am

      Can I use crunchy peanut butter in this recipe?

      Reply
      • Gabby

        July 25, 2023 at 4:57 pm

        Yes you can!

        Reply
    3. Sheabutter

      July 17, 2023 at 6:42 pm

      5 stars
      I made this for a family gathering and everyone that tried it, loved it! I followed the exact directions and didn't need to change anything! Even included chocolate chips on top. Will make again.

      Reply
      • Gabby

        July 25, 2023 at 4:59 pm

        I'm so happy that the brownies were a hit! Thanks so much for the review!

        Reply
    4. Alexis Nichols

      June 19, 2023 at 5:13 pm

      5 stars
      These came out amazing definitely making them again thank you for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Gabby

        June 21, 2023 at 5:31 pm

        I'm so glad you loved them Alexis!

        Reply
    5. Nicole

      May 03, 2023 at 8:05 pm

      5 stars
      My new favorite brownies!

      Reply
      • Gabby

        May 08, 2023 at 9:55 pm

        I'm so happy you loved them!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    photo of a girl standing at a kitchen counter smiling with a tray of cookies in front of her

    Hi Friend! I'm Gabby! I'm here to share easy, approachable dairy free/vegan dessert recipes that taste just like the real deal. Most recipes can be easily made with dairy products too, so there's something for everyone!

    Read more →

    Popular Recipes

    • Small Batch Brownies
    • Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
    • Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
    • Dairy Free Chocolate Cake
    • Biscoff Brownies
    • Cookie Monster Cookies

    Holiday Favorites

    • Oreo Red Velvet Cookies
    • Chocolate Orange Cake
    • Nutella Brownies
    • Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies
    • Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies
    • Marshmallow Swirl Brownies

    Featured In

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    Privacy Policy

    Keep In Touch

    Sign up for free e-book!

    Find us on Pinterest

    Find us on Facebook

    Find us on Instagram

    Join our Dairy Free Recipe & Support Group

    Contact

    Contact Me

    Work With Me

    As an affiliate partner, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you. I only recommend products I really use and love.

    Copyright © 2023 - Cookie Dough Diaries