Get ready for a delicious treat with these Peanut Butter Brownie Cups! Topped with chopped peanut butter cups, each bite is delightful. These chewy brownies are the best homemade brownie treat!
Check out my Rocky Road Brownies and my Red Velvet Brownies for more amazing brownie recipes!
Peanut butter brownie cups are a sweet treat full of rich chocolate brownie goodness and creamy peanut butter decadence. A fudgy brownies base, made with cocoa, cream cheese and peanut butter filling, topped with peanut butter cup pieces. The result? A delicious mini treat perfect for any chocolate lover!
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The real showstopper? A dreamy topping featuring a combination of peanut butter, powdered sugar, and whipped topping, creating a velvety texture that melts in your mouth. Whether you go for the middle or corner piece you will love this easy recipe!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Why settle for an ordinary dessert when you can make a statement with these peanut butter brownies? Whether you love brownies or delicious treats for the holiday season, these are full of rich chocolate flavor.
So why wait? The milk chocolate and peanut butter combination is heavenly. Ditch the boxed brownie mix, this peanut butter brownie cups recipe is made from scratch!
Ingredients You Need
- Unsalted butter (melted): Provides the rich and moist base for the brownie, contributing to its texture and flavor.
- Eggs: Acts as a binding agent in the brownie batter, helping to give structure and stability to the dessert.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds depth and richness to the flavor.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor, balancing the sweetness and bringing out the chocolate notes.
- Cream cheese (softened): Contributes to the creamy and smooth texture of the peanut butter layer.
- Whipped topping (thawed): Lightens the peanut butter layer, giving it a fluffy and airy consistency.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens both the brownie and peanut butter layers, providing the necessary sweetness.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile, adding a subtle but important depth to both the brownie and peanut butter layers.
- All-purpose flour: Gives structure to the brownie.
- Baking powder: Helps the brownie rise slightly, resulting in a softer texture.
- Peanut butter cups: Chopped and folded into the peanut butter layer. Reese's peanut butter cup is my go to!
- Creamy peanut butter: Not only contributes to the flavor but also adds a creamy texture to the top layer of the dessert.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the peanut butter layer, giving it a smooth and spreadable consistency.
Step By Step Photos
How To Make Peanut Butter Brownie Cups From Scratch
Step 1: Preparing the brownie base. In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter with the granulated sugar and vanilla extract. Gradually add the eggs, beating thoroughly. In a separate bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, beating until well blended. Spread this brownie batter in a 13x9-inch baking pan lined with parchment paper and bake at 350 °F for 25 to 30 minutes, or until set.
Step 2: Creating the peanut butter layer. While the brownie cools, prepare the peanut butter layer. Beat the softened cream cheese and creamy peanut butter until well blended. Gradually add the powdered sugar, blending thoroughly. Fold in the thawed whipped topping. Gently stir the peanut butter cups into the peanut butter mixture. Spread this over the cooled brownies.
Step 3: Chilling and Serving. Refrigerate the assembled dessert for at least 3 hours to allow the layers to set. Once chilled, lift the dessert out of the pan using the parchment paper and cut it into squares. For the finishing touch, garnish with additional chopped peanut butter cups, if desired.
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
How To Get A Clean Cut When Serving
Dip a sharp knife in hot water before each cut, and wipe it clean. This helps achieve neat squares without the layers sticking to the knife.
Tips
- Room temperature ingredients: The cream cheese and eggs should be at room temperature before using to achieve a smooth and well-blended texture in both the brownie and peanut butter layers.
- Chilling time: Allow the dessert to chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours. This chilling time allows the layers to set properly, making it easier to cut into neat squares.
- Parchment paper for easy removal: Line the baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides. This makes it easier to lift the entire dessert out of the pan once it's chilled.
Peanut Butter Cup Brownies In A Muffin Tin
Follow the same ingredient list as in the original recipe. Preheat your oven to 350 °F. Line a muffin pan with paper cupcake liners for easy removal.
Prepare the brownie batter as per the original recipe. Instead of spreading it in a 13x9-inch pan, evenly distribute the batter among the paper liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
Adjust the baking time to approximately 18-20 minutes. Keep a close eye on them and perform the toothpick test – a toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet.
While the brownie cups cool, prepare the peanut butter layer as instructed in the original recipe. Once the brownie cups are fully cooled, spread the peanut butter mixture over the tops. Refrigerate the assembled brownie cups for at least 3 hours to allow the layers to set.
Frequently Asked Questions About Peanut Butter Brownie Cups
While creamy peanut butter is recommended for its smooth texture, you can use natural peanut butter.
Store the chilled peanut butter brownie cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can be kept for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, consider freezing.
Yes, these brownie cups freeze well. After cutting into squares, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Yes, you can substitute homemade whipped cream for the frozen whipped topping. Whip 2 cups of heavy cream with sugar until stiff peaks form, and fold it into the peanut butter mixture.
More Recipes You Might Enjoy
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Peanut Butter Brownie Cups
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted 2 sticks
- 4 large eggs
- ⅔ cups unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 8 ounces frozen tub whipped topping, thawed
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 8 peanut butter cups Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- Additional peanut butter cups, for garnish optional
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F. Line 13×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, extending beyond pan sides.
- Stir together butter, granulated sugar and vanilla in large mixing bowl. Gradually add eggs, beating thoroughly.
- In a separate bowl, stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Gradually add to egg mixture, beating until well blended.
- Spread batter in prepared pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until brownie is set. (Brownie is fudgy and will not test done.) Cool completely in pan on wire rack.
- Remove wrappers from peanut butter cups; chop into small pieces. Set aside.
- Beat cream cheese and peanut butter until well blended. Add powdered sugar, blending thoroughly. Fold in whipped topping. Gently stir in peanut butter cup pieces; spread mixture over brownies.
- Refrigerate at least 3 hours. Lift dessert out of pan. Cut into squares. Garnish with additional peanut butter cup pieces, if desired.
Notes
- The cream cheese and eggs should be at room temperature before using to achieve a smooth and well-blended texture in both the brownie and peanut butter layers.
- Allow the dessert to chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours. This chilling time allows the layers to set properly, making it easier to cut into neat squares.
- Line the baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides. This makes it easier to lift the entire dessert out of the pan once it's chilled.
- Storing: Store the chilled peanut butter brownie cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can be kept for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, consider freezing.
- Freezing: After cutting into squares, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Enjoy!
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