Reese’s Peanut Butter Brownies are an out-of-this-world treat for anyone who loves the irresistible combo of peanut butter and chocolate!
Why We Love Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Brownies
- Hold on to your hats because this treat is more than just a chocolate peanut butter brownie recipe. These chewy brownies have a secret layer of peanut butter cups inside, and are topped with a sweet peanut butter frosting that takes these brownies from a five-star treat to a gazillion stars!
- Any brand of brownie mix can be used to make these peanut butter cup brownies or you can make your favorite homemade recipe. Just make sure it’s a 9×13 family-size box.
- Making your own peanut butter frosting for these brownies means you can make it as sweet as you like or make a less sweet frosting. So make it the way you’d enjoy it best!
- The toppings alone will have you making this dessert over and over again! Chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Reese’s Pieces, chocolate and peanut butter chips, and a chocolate drizzle are just some of the delicious ideas of what to top your brownies with! Are you drooling yet?
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Peanut Butter Brownies with Box Mix
BROWNIES: To make the brownie portion of this dessert, pick up your favorite box of brownie mix. Make sure the mix makes enough for a 9×13 dish and also check the back of the box to make sure you have the additional ingredients needed. You can also make your favorite homemade brownies.
PEANUT BUTTER CUPS: Purchase a few packages of full-sized peanut butter cups to bake with the brownies. You’ll need 15 cups total for the brownies, any extras are for you to enjoy while the brownies bake and cool.
PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING FOR BROWNIES: Whip up an easy peanut butter frosting using creamy peanut butter, unsalted butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract.
TOPPINGS: Make these brownies an even bigger treat by topping them with drizzled chocolate, chopped mini peanut butter cups, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and Reese’s Pieces. The toppings are optional but who wouldn’t love them?
How to Make Peanut Butter Brownies
Jump to RecipeSTEP 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper. In a large bowl, stir the brownie mix together with the ingredients listed on the back of the box.
STEP 2 Pour 2/3 of the brownie batter into the prepared baking dish. Gently press the peanut butter cups into the brownie batter in a single layer and then cover with the remaining brownie batter, covering the peanut butter cups completely.
STEP 3 Bake the brownies for 25-30 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean. Let the brownies fully cool on a wire rack before frosting.
STEP 4 Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a bowl with beaters, combine the peanut butter and butter and mix until smooth. Add the powdered sugar a little at a time, mixing well. Add the heavy cream and vanilla extract and when everything is well combined, turn the mixer speed to medium and whip for a few minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.
STEP 5 Lift the cooled brownies from the pan to a serving plate and frost. Top with additional candy and toppings if desired and serve.
Tips & Tricks
- The middle layer of peanut butter cups makes these brownies thicker, which is why they need more time to bake. When testing for doneness, try to test a spot between the peanut butter cups, to get a better idea of how cooked the brownie is.
- The frosting is pure peanut butter delight but is also an optional topping. If you’d like to eat just the brownies, go for it! If you like frosting that isn’t too sweet, taste the frosting after adding a little powdered sugar and continue to test and add sugar until it reaches the sweetness you prefer.
- Be sure to purchase a brownie mix that will make enough for a 9×13 pan. Depending on the brand, that could mean buying one to two boxes or a family-sized box of brownie mix.
- Store leftover brownies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days, or wrap individual brownie servings in plastic wrap and freeze for up to three months.
Peanut Butter Brownie Recipe FAQ
Can you use peanut butter instead of oil in brownie mix?
One possible substitute for oil when making brownies is nut butter. The brownies may take on more of a nutty flavor, depending on the peanut butter or nut butter you choose, but when you’re making Reese’s Peanut Butter Brownies that’s probably a really tasty decision! When substituting peanut butter, or any nut butter, for oil, use the same amount of peanut butter as you would oil.
Is butter or oil better for making box brownies?
When choosing between butter or oil when making brownies, the answer always comes down to texture. How do you like your brownies? Dense and fudgy? Then mixing oil into your brownie batter is the better choice. If lighter, cake-like brownies are your jam then butter is the ingredient for you. Both butter and oil are great for making brownies so go with what you have or choose one and enjoy your favorite texture!
Does Reese’s use real peanut butter?
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, a delicious combination of chocolate and peanut butter, does not actually contain real peanut butter. The peanut center is actually a mix of peanuts, sugar, and preservatives. Reese’s new peanut butter cups, which are all peanut butter and no chocolate, are said to contain a portion of real peanut butter.
Other Recipes You May Like
- Rocky Road Brownies
- Brownie Balls
- Santa’s Trash Cookie Bars
- Chocolate Pudding Cake
- Rolo Brownie Pizza
Reese’s Peanut Butter Brownies
Ingredients
Brownies
- 10.3 ounces chewy fudge brownie mix (one 9×13 Family Size box)
- Ingredients to prepare brownie mix as listed on package
- 15 Reese's peanut butter cups (full-size)
Frosting
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 ¼ cups powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Toppings
- Reese's pieces candy
- Reese's peanut butter cups chopped
- Melted chocolate for drizzling
- Peanut butter chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-inch x 13-inch baking dish with parchment paper letting it hang over the sides a bit. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the brownie mix together with the ingredients listed on the back of the box until combined. Spread about ⅔ of the batter into the prepared baking dish.
- Arrange 15 Reese's peanut butter cups on top of the brownie batter (3×5 grid) and press down on them slightly. Gently spread the remaining brownie batter over the PB cups, ensuring they are completely covered with batter.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownie comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are okay, but any wet batter and it needs to bake longer).
- Remove the brownies from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely, about 2-3 hours.
- Once the brownies have cooled, make the frosting by adding the peanut butter and butter to a large mixing bowl. With an electric hand mixer (or stand mixer with the paddle attachment) beat until smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar in a little at a time until fully incorporated, scrapping the sides of the bowl as needed. The mixture will be thick.
- Add the heavy cream and vanilla, and beat until combined. Turn the mixer to medium-high speed and whip for 2 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Using the parchment paper to help, lift the brownies out of the baking dish. Spread the frosting evenly over the brownies.
- Cut the brownies into 15 squares. Serve immediately or add fun toppings as desired.
Notes
- Nutritional information is for brownies and frosting only – optional toppings are not included.
- You can use any brownie mix your like or a homemade recipe, as long as it calls for a 9-inch x 13-inch pan for baking.
- Keep leftovers at room temperature for up to 4 days in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.
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