Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with the BEST Peanut Butter Brownies EVER. Forget the ordinary; this exceptional recipe redefines what a brownie can be. Crafted without a speck of flour, these easy-to-make brownies deliver an incredibly decadent, supremely fudgy, intensely rich, and satisfyingly chewy experience that will leave you craving more. And as if that weren’t enough, a lavish layer of glossy chocolate ganache takes them truly over the top, guaranteeing victory over even the most persistent chocolate cravings. Naturally gluten-free and requiring no stand mixer, these from-scratch brownies are a testament to simple, yet utterly luxurious, baking. You’re welcome.
This recipe is sponsored by Safeway.
The Ultimate Peanut Butter Brownies: A Flourless, Fudgy Revelation
There are cravings, and then there are chocolate cravings. When that profound desire for something deeply rich, delightfully chewy, and intensely fudgy hits, nothing quite satisfies like a perfectly baked brownie. Absolutely nothing. Just last week, a formidable chocolate craving swept through my family. My boys, being the discerning palates they are (thanks to their food blogger mom!), knew precisely what to ask for: brownies. The quest for the perfect chocolate fix had begun!
My first instinct was to reach for my tried-and-true Fudgy Toffee Flourless Brownies recipe. They are incredibly simple to prepare and, honestly, unbelievably good – a true crowd-pleaser. But as a passionate food blogger, I’m constantly seeking new ways to innovate and impress, to push the boundaries of home baking. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to not just bake a treat, but to elevate a classic and introduce something truly spectacular. And when my mind turns to chocolate, it invariably leads me to its perfect, undeniable partner: peanut butter. Just ask my son, Reece – he’s practically a walking endorsement for this harmonious flavor combination!
Why These Flourless Peanut Butter Brownies Are Unquestionably The Best
I’ve certainly had peanut butter swirled brownies before, but they often fall short of delivering that robust, harmonious chocolate and peanut butter punch I crave. Many times, the peanut butter gets lost, or the texture isn’t quite right. I wanted to go deeper, to truly integrate the peanut butter goodness into the very fabric of the brownie, creating delightful pockets and substantial chunks of nutty flavor that assert their presence in every bite. This isn’t just a swirl; it’s an experience. And oh, goodness gracious, I believe I’ve outdone myself this time!
This fudgy brownie recipe excels on every front: unparalleled decadence that melts in your mouth, a luxurious richness that speaks of pure indulgence, an irresistible chewiness that keeps you coming back, and of course, that signature fudgy texture we all adore. The perfect balance of sweet and savory is achieved through thoughtful ingredient selection and preparation. I simply couldn’t resist taking them a step further by crowning the entire masterpiece with a velvety, homemade chocolate ganache. Because, truly, when it comes to satisfying a craving this intense, why wouldn’t you go all out?
Mastering Your Peanut Butter Brownies: Essential Tips for Perfection
Creating the ultimate brownie is an art, and these expert tips will ensure your Flourless Peanut Butter Brownies emerge from the oven as a masterpiece of fudgy, chewy perfection, every single time.
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The Golden Rule of Brownie Baking: Do NOT Overbake!
This is paramount when baking any brownie, but especially these fudgy delights. While the provided baking time in the recipe is a helpful estimate, you truly need to keep a vigilant eye on your brownies. My secret weapon is always a trusty toothpick, inserted into the center. Unlike cakes, where you seek a perfectly clean toothpick, for fudgy brownies, you want it to emerge with moist crumbs clinging to it – a sign of gooey perfection. I typically check from the side of the pan first, as the edges tend to cook faster. Pulling them out just in time prevents those dreaded dry, crumbly edges, ensuring a consistently delicious texture throughout. Under-baked is better than over-baked for fudgy results!
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The Flourless Secret: Cornstarch for Unrivaled Chewiness and Pure Chocolate Flavor
You’ll quickly notice that this recipe contains absolutely no flour – not even gluten-free flour, making it an excellent choice for those with dietary restrictions or simply looking for an alternative. Instead, we ingeniously use cornstarch, which plays a critical role in providing the essential chewiness and structural integrity that gluten normally offers. But the magic doesn’t stop there: by intentionally omitting traditional flour, we allow the rich, deep chocolate flavor to shine through, unhindered and intensified. It’s truly incredible how much difference this simple substitution makes, resulting in a purer, more intense chocolate experience that flour would otherwise dilute.
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Selecting the Perfect Peanut Butter for Optimal Flavor
The peanut butter is more than just a flavor accent here; it’s an integral component that profoundly impacts the brownies’ taste and texture. It helps to expertly balance the overall richness and sweetness of these decadent brownies, introducing that crucial salty counterpoint that elevates almost any dessert from merely good to truly spectacular. For this recipe, I highly recommend using a natural peanut butter, such as Open Nature Peanut Butter. These varieties have a more robust flavor profile. Like all natural varieties, it’s essential to give it a very good stir before use, ensuring all those delicious natural oils are fully incorporated and the consistency is smooth. And then, just try to resist sneaking a spoonful – good luck resisting that creamy temptation!
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Choosing Your Baking Pan Wisely for Ideal Thickness
I personally prefer a 9-inch square baking pan for these fudgy brownies. This particular size yields brownies that are satisfyingly thick without being overwhelmingly so, striking the perfect balance between density and bite-sized enjoyment. If you’re in the market for a new pan, I particularly love this one for its perfectly straight sides and its ability to ensure remarkably even baking. You absolutely can use an 8-inch pan for even thicker, more dense brownies, or even a 9×13-inch pan for thinner, more delicate ones; just be aware that you’ll need to adjust your baking time accordingly, adding or subtracting a few minutes as needed to achieve that perfect fudgy center.
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Savor Every Decadent Bite
And finally, the most important tip of all: truly ENJOY every single decadent bite. Take your time, appreciate the layers of flavor, the rich chocolate, the nutty peanut butter, and the smooth ganache. For the ultimate indulgence, don’t forget to pair them with a tall, cold glass of milk – it’s the classic, comforting complement that makes these brownies an unforgettable treat!
Key Ingredients for Your Ultimate Peanut Butter Brownies – Featuring Open Nature
Once I had finalized this incredible, crave-worthy recipe, my next stop was Safeway to gather all the necessary ingredients. Having recently attended one of Safeway’s outstanding blogger events, I was particularly eager to incorporate their exceptional line of Open Nature products into my brownies. Their unwavering commitment to quality, transparency, and natural ingredients aligns perfectly with my baking philosophy and my desire to provide the best for my family.
I recently raved about how their products transformed my Zucchini Quiche with Bacon and Hash Brown Crust, and ever since that delightful experience, I’ve been completely hooked on the Open Nature brand. I can genuinely say I’ve never been disappointed by the superior quality and remarkable value of any product from this fantastic line. For these Peanut Butter Brownies, two Open Nature stars truly shine, contributing significantly to their outstanding taste and texture:
- Open Nature Old Fashioned Creamy Peanut Butter: This stuff is so incredibly good, we’ve literally been eating it straight from the jar with a spoon lately – it’s that irresistible! Beyond being a delightful snack, it’s also incredibly delicious spread on a warm English muffin, and without a doubt, it serves as the undisputed star of these brownies, imparting that perfect, authentic nutty flavor and creamy texture to the peanut butter filling.
- Open Nature Cage Free Eggs: Only the absolute best for my family! We go through a substantial number of eggs in our household, and these eggs consistently deliver on quality and freshness. They are simply delicious, offering fantastic value and exceptional quality – which, as you know, is something I always prioritize in my cooking and baking. Using high-quality eggs makes a real difference in the final product’s texture and richness.
What I truly appreciate about the Open Nature line of products is how perfectly it embodies everything I want for my family. Their offerings are clean, of consistently high quality, minimally processed, and completely free from artificial ingredients, colors, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives. With an extensive range of over 400 products available, Open Nature goes a long way in providing peace of mind about the food I serve, knowing I’m making wholesome choices – even when it’s something as delightfully indulgent as these fudgy, flourless brownies!
You can easily find Open Nature products at your local Safeway store. They are also exclusively available across all the Albertsons Companies family of stores, which includes Albertsons, ACME Markets, Jewel-Osco, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Shaw’s, Star Market, and Carrs/Safeway. To locate a store near you and explore even more delightful meal prep tips and enticing recipe ideas, simply visit Safeway.com. Happy shopping and happy baking!
Explore More Peanut Butter Indulgences from Our Kitchen
If you’re as passionate about the magical combination of peanut butter and chocolate, or just peanut butter in general, as we are, you’ll love these other fantastic recipes. These are perfect for any occasion and sure to be a hit with your family and friends!
- Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles
- Easy Reese’s Peanut Butter Fluff
- Peanut Butter Cup Rice Krispie Treats Pinwheels
- Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Fudge
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Pound Cake
How To Make The Best Peanut Butter Brownies: Step-by-Step Recipe
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Peanut Butter Brownies
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword brownies, peanut butter brownies
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 36
Calories 189kcal
Author Trish – Mom On Timeout
Ingredients
Peanut Butter Filling
- 3/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg room temperature
Brownies
- 12 oz semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter cut into small cubes
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 eggs room temperature
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Ganache
- 10 oz bittersweet chocolate chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350F.
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Lightly spray a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray. Line with parchment paper leaving an overhang for easy removal. Set aside.
Peanut Butter Filling
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In a medium bowl, combine peanut butter, sugar, and egg. Mix until thoroughly combined. Set aside.
Brownies
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In a large bowl, combine chocolate chips and butter. Melt in 30-second increments, on high heat in the microwave, stirring in between.
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Stir in sugar and vanilla until completely combined.
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Add eggs one at a time, stirring in between until combined.
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In a small bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt.
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Add dry mixture to wet mixture and stir vigorously until the mixture is smooth and begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. This will take one or two minutes.
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Stir in the mini chocolate chips.
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Pour two-thirds of the brownie batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
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Drop small spoonfuls of the peanut butter mixture on top of the brownie batter.
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Spoon on remaining brownie batter and smooth with the back of a spoon or offset spatula. It doesn’t have to be perfect.
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Bake for 33-37 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. (Watch the brownies closely after 30 minutes. Don’t rely on the time so much as the inserted toothpick.)
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Let brownies cool completely on a cooling rack or in the fridge.
Ganache
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Place bittersweet chocolate in a heat-proof bowl.
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Heat whipping cream until scalding hot and pour over the top of the chocolate.
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Let sit for 5 minutes and then stir until smooth. (If chocolate hasn’t melted all the way, heat on high heat in 15-second intervals in the microwave, stirring in between, until chocolate is fully melted.)
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Pour mixture over the top of the cooled brownies and use an offset spatula to spread over the top until smooth. Refrigerate until the ganache has completely set up.
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Cut into bars and serve.
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Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
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Use the parchment paper overhang to pull the brownies out and cut into squares.
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Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Video
Nutrition
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Have a truly delightful day, and happy baking!
Disclosure: This recipe is proudly sponsored by Safeway. We extend our sincere gratitude for your continued support of the brands that make Mom On Timeout possible, allowing us to bring you more incredible recipes like this one!