Peanut Butter Brownie Bars are the wonderfully decadent, impossibly delicious dessert you need in your life. A bottom layer of fudgey brownie, followed by a later of maple peanut butter, and then top with a layer of more chocolate and a healthy dusting of flaky sea salt. Try one and tell me its not heavenly.
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Peanut Butter Brownie Bars Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Brownie Layer
- 4 sqaures semi-sweet baking chocolate
- 1 cup butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Peanut Butter Layer
- 1 16 oz jar peanut butter
- ⅓ cup maple syrup or honey
- ¼ cup avocado oil
Salted Chocolate Layer
- 1 (12 oz) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
Instructions
Brownie Layer
- Melt the butter and baking chocolate in a small saucepan on low heat (or slowly in the microwave) until you have a smooth chocolate mixture. Add this to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the sugar to the chocolate mixture and combine. Mix in the eggs and vanilla. Fold in the flour and chocolate chips until the mixture is smooth.
- Pour mixture into a parchment paper lined 9x13 pan.
- Bake in a preheated 350° oven 25-30 minutes. Or, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Peanut Butter Layer
- To a microwave safe measuring cup, add the peanut butter, maple syrup, and avocado oil. Heat in the microwave on low in 30 second increments until smooth. The idea here is to just warm and combine everything so that it's spreadable.
- Once the mixture completely combined, pour over the bottom brownie later. Using an offset spatula, smooth the peanut butter mixture evenly over the brownie layer.
- Put this into the fridge to cool for about 30 minutes.
The Salted Chocolate Layer
- Grab that microwave safe measuring cup again and add the chocolate chips and avocado oil. Again, into the microwave on low, 30 second increments until the chocolate is melted and the mixture smooth.
- Pour the melted chocolate onto the cooled peanut butter brownie bars and spread. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Put the bars back into the fridge for the chocolate to set up just a bit.
- Enjoy with a cup of ice cold milk or a piping hot cup of coffee!
Notes
Nutrition
Pull Up A Chair and Let's Chat!
Peanut Butter Brownie Bars are the stuff of my dreams. They're simple to make, but are so divinely decadent you'll be astounded.
The brownie bar layer is very straight forward. That bakes. The peanut butter layer is easy to do as well. Those two layers go together and cool. While that part goes down, its onto the salted chocolate topping. Pour that over everything and let that cool and you'll have the most wonderful dessert ever. I mean it.
These Peanut Butter Brownie Bars are stuff of legend around here. Make them once and you'll see exactly why! Just don't forget a cup of hot coffee to go with!
Tips and Tricks
- Use room temperature ingredients. Everything will mix easier and bake more evenly.
- Make sure to line your baking sheet with parchment or use a good butter/flour situation to prevent sticking.
- Let the brownie layer cool slightly before spreading on the the peanut butter.
- Let the brownie and peanut butter chill before adding the chocolate. Take your time between the layers.
Variations and Substitutions
- Use any nut or seed butter you like. I've used almond butter and sun butter for people with peanut allergies and both have turned out great!
- You don't have to make all of the layers. You can simply stop at the brownie layer. Likewise, you can skip the peanut butter and go straight to the chocolate layer! I've done it both ways!
- I am definitely a fan of a darker chocolate. If you like a milk chocolate, use that instead of the semi-sweet.
Storage Instructions
Store the peanut butter brownie bars in the fridge. They will stay good for up to a week. When you're ready, remove them from the fridge and cut immediately. They cut better when cold. Enjoy them right away or let them come up to room temp just a bit.
You can freeze the brownie base for up to 3 months. After cooling completely, wrap securely with plastic wrap and then foil. I don't recommend freezing with the peanut butter and chocolate layer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of peanut butter is the best?
I only use a peanut butter that is made from peanuts and salt. So many brands out there will add things like palm oil that are just bad news. Read your labels and verify you're using good quality nut butter for these Peanut Butter Brownie Bars!
Likewise, you can use crunchy or smooth! That's total personal preference!
Why do you use salt on desserts?
Salt enhances the flavor of food. It sounds kind of strange, but I always add kosher salt to my desserts and finish the with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. It make chocolate taste more chocolatey. The peanut butter will taste more peanut buttery. I can always tell when a dessert hasn't been salted. Do it. It makes a difference.
Thank you!
I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try my Peanut Butter Brownie Bars and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok!
If you guys make these Peanut Butter Brownie Bars, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I absolutely love to hear from you all and always do my best to respond to each and every one of your comments!
Happy Cooking!
-Rufus
Other Chocolate Recipes You'll Love
Chocolate Tart - My favorite. It's so easy to make, but absolutely a decadent showstopper! You've got to try it!
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies - My go-to chocolate chip cookie recipe! The brown butter makes these so, so good!
Cookies and Cream Cookies - They're cookies made with other cookies! Tender and super easy, crushed up Oreos get folded in for a hidden treat!
Espresso Brownies - Another wonderful brownie recipe, but with a little espresso to make the chocolate super rich! If you're a fan of rice chocolate, you'll be a fan of these!
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