Peanut butter brownies are an easy-to-make, irresistible dessert. The combination of fudgy chocolate brownies with creamy peanut butter will fix any sweet tooth you've got.
I'm pretty certain that I discussed on here and in the past how I believe in Christmas magic I'm still a fan of Santa and yeah I still send a letter to the North Pole every year. I realize this is probably uncommon in an adult, but as I passed an elderly woman the other night in the market who was humming Christmas carols out loud to herself, I couldn't help but smile and believe in Christmas magic.
Maybe it's naive to believe that the month of December brings out the best in people, maybe it's crazy to think that the holidays bring out a sparkle that is hidden the rest of the year are maybe it's sad because we should have it all year long, but the moment that turkey was carved on Thanksgiving I could smell in the air.
It's the way you can tell it's going to snow day or two before and how the child inside you can't help but remember the anticipation of schools closing the adventures you are have as a white flurry filled the air. There's just something magical about it. It's not the presents you’re going to wake up to, it's the hunt for the surprises for everyone else.
Bringing out the stockings embroidered with names long ago. It's the memories that each and every ornament hung on the tree symbolizes the moment shared with loved ones in the past and more to come in the future.
I don't like to decorate too soon in fear I may burn myself out, or somehow spoil the Christmas magic, and then I remember there's only one month between Thanksgiving and the new year to enjoy the festivities.
(*See my petition earlier this week to move the holidays back a month). So it may sound crazy, but next year, I think I'll bust out the holiday decorations on Black Friday and get the most out of the season as I can. Because I believe in Christmas magic and it's not just one month long.
Chocolaty peanut butter brownies are a must-bake for true Christmas magic.
For that matter, so are homemade Christmas eggnog cookies.
Peanut Butter Brownies
from Brown Eyed Baker
Ingredients:
For the brownies:
- 1¼ cups flour
- 1 teas salt
- 2 tbs cocoa powder
- 11 oz dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teas instant espresso powder
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 5 eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teas vanilla extract
For the peanut butter:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1½ cups creamy peanut butter
- ½ teas salt
- 1 teas vanilla extract
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 baking dish.
Whisk together the flour, salt, and cocoa powder; set aside.
Put the chocolate, butter and espresso powder in a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 20 second intervals, until the chocolate is melted, stir to combine. Add the sugar and whisk until combine. Let the mixture rest until room temperature.
Once the chocolate has cooled, add the eggs and the vanilla and whisk until combined.
Sprinkle the flour mixture over the chocolate mixture and fold to incorperate using a rubber spatula until the flour is no longer visable.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Combine peanut butter swirl ingredients. Using a spoon, place dollops onto the prepared brownie batter and swirl with a butter knife or wooden skewer.
Bake in the center of the oven for 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out with a few crumbs hanging on. Don't over bake - everyone loves a gooey brownie 😉
Elizabeth @TheBareMidriff says
I like the Black Friday decorating idea - if it makes you happy, why wait? I am one of those people who finds out ahead of time when the radio stations are going to start playing Christmas music so I can tell all my friends (most of whom don't care). I say, do what will make you feel the Christmas magic, no matter what other people say, and no matter what time of year!
Blog is the New Black says
Yes, yes, and yes.... I would like a batch of these for Christmas!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
And now I want to go straight into the kitchen, make a batch of these and not tell anyone about them!
Kita says
I may have kept them hidden for a day or so myself... >.>
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
Oh I always bust out the decorations on Black Friday. And I must admit I start letting the mysic trickle in before then. If I don't start the music early then I'm not ready to give it up by January.
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time says
Whatever magic was lost as I aged has returned full force with a Dudette in the house. She's provided the pixie dust that was needed to make everything glitter again. It's been fun. Of course, with all these amazing baked goods, I've been stacking up piles of recipes that I know the family will love. Dudette and Hubby will go crazy for these brownies. Both are chocolate and peanut butter fiends.
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray says
I'm loving the sentiment of this post as I try to get in the Christmas spirit--it's hard when there's nobody around to get me excited about the holidays! And also these brownies are fierce...chocolate and peanut butter, always a surefire combo. 🙂
Steph@stephsbitebybite says
Ok, this post just got me in the Christmas spirit...and I hope to one day be that old lady still humming the Christmas carols. These brownies are the epitome of everything that I love, and I want them!
Amalia says
I love this post--Christmas magic, snow days, and of course peanut butter brownies! All my favorite things 🙂 These look insanely good, Peanut butter has got to be the best thing ever!
Grubarazzi (@Grubarazzi) says
I believe in xmas magic tooooo! and I believe in the delicious power of these brownies!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
What amazing brownies!! Love Christmas, it is a magical that is for sure! Especially when you have a 6 year old little boy is believes in it all! Can't get any better 🙂
nicole says
i'm glad you have the christmas spirit this year. I have none. send some to me!
Ann says
Delicious! My favorite flavor combination and I DO believe in Santa!
kitchenarian says
Love these brownies! I always love hearing other people talk about their Christmas magic. It's so contagious. 🙂
Kiri W. says
This is one classic I'll never get tired off. Yours look great and gudgy!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
These are my idea of a perfect brownies