Peanut Butter Brownies

These peanut butter brownies are my go-to whenever I’m craving a quick and easy treat. There’s just something so comforting about the combination of peanut butter and chocolate, and the best part? They only take about 10 minutes to prep and use simple pantry ingredients, making them perfect for those busy days when you need something sweet but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. I’ve been making these brownies for years, and they never fail to satisfy that peanut butter-chocolate craving.

Why You’ll Love Peanut Butter Brownies

The peanut butter drizzle is like the cherry on top—sometimes I go a little overboard and add extra because, well, why not?

Quick prep: Just mix, bake, and you’re done—ready in under 30 minutes!

Minimal ingredients: Most of the ingredients are things you likely already have at home.

Customizable: Add as much peanut butter as you want, or toss in extras like chocolate chips.

Perfect texture: These brownies come out fudgy in the center with just the right amount of peanut butter swirl on top.

Ingredients & Substitutions

To make these Peanut Butter Brownies, you’ll need a box of peanut butter brownie mix, peanut butter, an egg, water, vegetable oil, and an 8x8 inch square tin.

• Brownie mix: You can use any brand of brownie mix, but if you can't find peanut butter brownie mix, just use a regular brownie mix and swirl in your own peanut butter.
• Extra peanut butter: Feel free to drizzle even more peanut butter on top if you're a fan of the creamy texture—it adds richness.
• Oil substitution: If you’re out of vegetable oil, melted butter works just as well and adds a bit of extra flavor.
• Add-ins: Chocolate chips, crushed peanuts, or even a sprinkle of sea salt can take these brownies to the next level.

How to make the best peanut butter brownies

Mix the cake with water, egg, and oil. Use an electric mixer or whisk and blend until smooth.

Place a parchment paper in your square tin and pour the mixture evenly. Drizzle peanut butter over the mixture, you can add as little or as much you like. I sometimes prefer to add 2 spoons extra to make brownies creamier.

Preheat oven to 320F and bake for 15-18 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes clean. Leave it to cool down on a cooling rack then cut into little squared. Enjoy!

Expert Tips

Don’t overmix: When blending the batter, mix until just combined to avoid tough brownies. Overmixing activates the gluten in the flour, which can make your brownies more cake-like.

Peanut butter swirl trick: For those pretty swirls, add small dollops of peanut butter on top of the batter and use a toothpick to gently swirl it around. Don’t overdo it though—you want those defined, gorgeous peanut butter streaks!

Test for doneness: Check the brownies a couple of minutes early by inserting a toothpick. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs, they're ready to come out. You want them slightly underbaked for that fudgy texture.

Let them cool: Resist the urge to cut into them right away. Let the brownies cool completely for easier slicing and to help them set properly.

FAQs

Serving Suggestions

There are plenty of ways to enjoy these peanut butter brownies, but here are some of my favorite serving ideas to take them to the next level:

• Classic: Serve with a glass of cold milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for a classic pairing.
• Indulgent: Drizzle melted chocolate or caramel sauce over the brownies and top with whipped cream.
• Fruity twist: Pair them with fresh strawberries or raspberries for a fruity contrast to the rich peanut butter and chocolate.
• Party-style: Cut into bite-sized squares and arrange on a platter for an easy finger food dessert at gatherings.