Craving a rich, fudgy brownie that's also incredibly easy to make? Look no further! This peanut butter brownie recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth whether it's a weeknight treat or a weekend baking project. Forget store-bought – homemade is always better, and this recipe proves it. It's one of those delicious dishes that's surprisingly simple to whip up, making it ideal for beginner bakers and experienced cooks alike. Prepare for a symphony of chocolate and peanut butter goodness!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
Instructions:
Get started: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan. This is a crucial step for easy removal of your perfectly baked brownies later on!
Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat until well combined. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Add dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix – a few lumps are okay!
Swirl in the peanut butter: Gently fold in the peanut butter, creating swirls throughout the batter. Don't overmix; you want to retain some beautiful peanut butter marbling.
Bake to perfection: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. Overbaking will result in dry brownies, so keep a close eye on them towards the end of the baking time.
Cool and enjoy: Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. This allows them to set properly and makes for neater slices. Enjoy your delicious homemade peanut butter brownies!
Tips for Brownie Success:
- Use good quality chocolate: The better the cocoa powder, the richer the flavor of your brownies will be.
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to tough brownies. Mix until just combined.
- Check for doneness: Start checking for doneness around 25 minutes. Every oven is different, so adjust baking time as needed.
- Cool completely: Patience is key! Letting the brownies cool completely before cutting prevents them from crumbling.
Variations:
- Add nuts: Chopped peanuts or walnuts would add a lovely crunch.
- Chocolate chips: Fold in ½ cup of chocolate chips for extra chocolatey goodness.
- Different peanut butter: Try using crunchy peanut butter for a different texture.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This will vary depending on the specific ingredients used, but a general estimate per brownie (assuming 16 servings) is:
- Calories: Approximately 250-300
- Fat: 12-15g
- Carbohydrates: 30-35g
- Protein: 4-5g
This recipe is a great example of easy recipes and healthy meals (relatively speaking!) that you can make at home. It's perfect as a quick dinner idea for those evenings when you crave something sweet and satisfying without a lot of effort. Enjoy your baking journey, and let us know how your peanut butter brownies turn out!