Description
Indulge in rich, bittersweet brownies topped with a creamy salted peanut butter frosting. This recipe combines the deep cocoa flavor of classic brownies with a smooth, sweet-savory peanut butter topping, perfect for satisfying your chocolate and nut butter cravings in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Brownie Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Frosting Ingredients
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon milk
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to ensure the brownies do not stick.
- Melt Butter and Combine with Sugar: In a saucepan over low heat, melt the butter completely. Stir in the granulated sugar until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from heat. Gradually whisk in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture into the butter mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen brownies.
- Spread Batter and Bake: Pour and evenly spread the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Prepare Frosting: In a bowl, beat together the creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, milk, and sea salt until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
- Frost Brownies and Serve: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan, then spread the peanut butter frosting evenly over the top. Cut into 16 squares and serve.
Notes
- Use unsweetened cocoa powder for an intense chocolate flavor.
- Do not overbake the brownies; they should be fudgy inside with moist crumbs on the toothpick.
- The frosting can be adjusted in thickness by adding more milk for a thinner consistency or more powdered sugar for thicker frosting.
- Cool brownies completely before frosting to prevent melting and sliding of the peanut butter topping.
- For added texture, consider sprinkling chopped peanuts on top after frosting.
