Decadent Fudge Brownies with Creamy Peanut Butter Frosting: The Ultimate Indulgent Recipe
Prepare to fall in love with a classic combination reimagined in this extraordinary dessert! We’re talking about the deep, rich flavor of intensely fudgy brownies perfectly paired with a velvety, smooth, and utterly delightful peanut butter frosting. This isn’t just a dessert; it’s an experience, a harmonious blend of chocolate and peanut butter that will captivate your taste buds with every single bite. Get ready to bake a batch of pure indulgence that’s surprisingly straightforward to create, yet delivers on gourmet satisfaction.
Why You’ll Adore These Fudge Brownies with Peanut Butter Frosting
There’s an undeniable magic that happens when chocolate and peanut butter come together, creating a symphony of flavors that truly satisfies. This recipe takes that beloved combination to new heights, delivering a dessert that is as easy to make as it is utterly delicious. These aren’t just any brownies; they’re thick, moist, and intensely fudgy, providing the perfect foundation for a generous layer of light, fluffy, and perfectly sweet peanut butter frosting. It’s a match made in dessert heaven!
Beyond their incredible taste, these brownies are a phenomenal choice for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a gathering, celebrating a holiday, bringing a treat to a potluck, or simply craving something sweet, they are guaranteed to be a huge hit. The contrast between the rich, dark chocolate brownie and the creamy, slightly salty peanut butter frosting creates a dynamic flavor profile that appeals to everyone. Plus, there’s an immense satisfaction in sharing a homemade dessert that looks and tastes so impressive. Prepare for rave reviews and empty plates – these fudge brownies with peanut butter frosting are truly a showstopper!
Essential Ingredients for Your Brownies and Frosting
Crafting these delectable brownies with peanut butter frosting requires a few pantry staples and quality ingredients. Using good quality chocolate and fresh dairy will make a noticeable difference in the final taste and texture of your homemade dessert. For a complete list of measurements and specific ingredients, please refer to the printable recipe card found at the very end of this post.
How to Make Perfectly Fudgy Brownies with Irresistible Peanut Butter Frosting
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are designed to help you visualize the process of making this incredible recipe. For a quick reference to the full, printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and instructions, you can Jump to Recipe at the bottom of the page. Let’s get baking!
- **Melt Butter and Chocolate:** In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine your unsalted butter and coarsely chopped unsweetened chocolate. Microwave on high for 1 minute.
- **Achieve Smooth Chocolate:** After the initial minute, stir the mixture thoroughly. Continue heating in 20-second intervals, stirring well after each, until the chocolate is completely melted and beautifully smooth. Set aside to cool slightly before proceeding.
- **Prepare Your Pan:** While the chocolate cools, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing the edges of the parchment to hang over the sides. This creates convenient “handles” for easy removal of the brownies later.
- **Combine Wet Ingredients:** Add the granulated sugar to your cooled chocolate mixture and stir until it’s fully combined and glossy. Next, crack in the large eggs and beat them well with a wooden spoon or a sturdy rubber spatula until they are thoroughly incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract for an extra layer of flavor.
- **Add Dry Ingredients:** Gently stir in the unbleached all-purpose flour and baking soda into the mixture. Be careful not to overmix; stop stirring as soon as the flour streaks disappear to ensure your brownies remain wonderfully fudgy and tender.
- **Bake the Brownies:** Spread the brownie batter evenly into your prepared pan. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, but not wet batter. Crucially, allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before you even think about frosting them. This step is essential for achieving the perfect fudgy texture.
- **Prepare the Frosting Base:** In a medium mixer bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter. Beat these together until the mixture is beautifully creamy and smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- **Sweeten and Lighten the Frosting:** Gradually add the sifted confectioners’ sugar, about a cup at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition until fully incorporated. Continue to beat the frosting on medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes. This step is key to making it light and fluffy.
- **Add the Peanut Butter:** Finally, add the smooth peanut butter to the bowl. Beat again until the peanut butter is thoroughly blended into the frosting, creating a uniform, delicious consistency.
- **Frost and Cut:** Spread the prepared peanut butter frosting generously over the completely cooled brownies while they are still in the pan. Once frosted, lift the brownies out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang and place them on a cutting board. Cut into neat bars or squares.
We absolutely adore these peanut butter fudge brownies, just as much as our Chocolate Cheesecake Brownies! It’s always a tough choice to pick a favorite between two such indulgent treats. Which one will you try first?
Tips for Perfectly Fudgy Brownies Every Time
Achieving that coveted fudgy brownie texture is all about a few key techniques. First, always use good quality unsweetened chocolate; it provides the deep chocolate flavor without excessive sweetness. When melting the chocolate and butter, do so gently to prevent scorching the chocolate. Once the dry ingredients are added, mix just until combined. Overmixing develops gluten in the flour, leading to a tougher, cake-like brownie instead of a dense, chewy one. Finally, avoid overbaking! Brownies are best when slightly underbaked, so they retain their moist, gooey center. A toothpick inserted should come out with moist crumbs, not liquid batter, but also not completely clean.
Mastering the Creamy Peanut Butter Frosting
The peanut butter frosting is the crown jewel of these brownies, and making it perfect is simple. Ensure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature. This is crucial for a smooth, lump-free frosting that creams together beautifully. Sifting your confectioners’ sugar before adding it helps prevent lumps and ensures a silky-smooth consistency. Add the sugar gradually, mixing well after each addition to allow it to fully incorporate. Beat the frosting for the recommended 3-4 minutes to whip air into it, making it light and fluffy. And of course, use smooth peanut butter for the creamiest result; crunchy varieties might change the texture too much for a truly smooth frosting.
Variations and Customizations for Your Brownies
While these brownies are incredible as is, there’s always room for a personal touch! Consider adding a sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the peanut butter frosting just before serving to enhance both the chocolate and peanut butter flavors. For an extra layer of chocolate, fold in a half-cup of chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or dark) into the brownie batter before baking. If you love nuts, toasted chopped peanuts or walnuts can be added to the brownie batter or sprinkled on top of the frosting. For a richer chocolate flavor, you could experiment with adding a tablespoon of espresso powder to the brownie batter. These small additions can transform an already amazing dessert into something uniquely yours.
Serving Suggestions and Storage
These peanut butter fudge brownies are incredibly versatile for serving. They are fantastic at room temperature, making them perfect for taking along to someone’s house, ideal for holiday dessert tables, summer barbecues, birthday parties, or any casual get-together. They can also be enjoyed slightly chilled, which often firms up the frosting a bit. For a truly decadent experience, serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, allowing the chocolate to soften and the flavors to meld beautifully. To store, place the cut brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, individual brownies can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then placed in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or gently warm for a quick treat!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We’ve gathered some common questions to help you bake the perfect batch of fudge brownies with peanut butter frosting:
- Can I use crunchy peanut butter for the frosting? While smooth peanut butter is recommended for a silky texture, you can certainly use crunchy peanut butter if you prefer a bit of textural contrast in your frosting. Just be aware it will be less smooth.
- How do I know when the brownies are done baking? The best way is to insert a toothpick into the center of the brownies. It should come out with moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter. If it comes out completely clean, they might be slightly overbaked, leading to a less fudgy texture.
- Can these brownies be made ahead of time? Absolutely! These brownies are excellent when made a day in advance. The flavors often deepen, and the frosting sets nicely, making them even easier to cut. Store them covered at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
- What kind of chocolate is best for fudge brownies? For ultimate fudginess and deep chocolate flavor, unsweetened or bittersweet chocolate is ideal. You can use chocolate baking bars or high-quality chocolate chips designed for baking.
- My frosting is too thin/thick, what can I do? If your frosting is too thin, gradually add more sifted confectioners’ sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit of milk (1/2 teaspoon at a time) until it’s spreadable.
More Chocolate and Peanut Butter Desserts You’ll Love
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
- No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars
- Peanut Butter Cups
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes
- Reese’s Pie
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Fudge Brownies with Peanut Butter Frosting
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
Brownies:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate coarsely chopped
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup unbleached all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
Frosting:
- 2.5 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 ¼ cups confectioners’ sugar sifted
- 3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
Things You’ll Need
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Hand mixer
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Wire cooling racks
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8×8 baking pan
Instructions
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Melt butter and chocolate in a large bowl in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir, and continue heating at 20-second intervals until chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Allow to cool slightly.
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring the parchment hangs over the sides for easy removal.
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Add sugar to the cooled chocolate mixture and stir until fully combined. Add eggs and beat with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until well combined. Stir in vanilla extract. Gently stir in the flour and baking soda, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the batter.
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Spread the brownie batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before attempting to frost them.
Prepare the Frosting
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Combine softened butter and cream cheese in a medium mixer bowl and beat until the mixture is light and creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Continue to beat on medium speed until the frosting is light and fluffy, usually 3 to 4 minutes. Add the smooth peanut butter and beat until thoroughly blended and uniform.
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Generously frost the cooled brownies while they are still in the pan. Carefully remove the brownies from the pan by lifting the sides of the parchment paper and place them on a cutting board. Cut into desired bars or squares. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
This post originally appeared here on Aug 21, 2013 and has since been updated with new photos and expanded content.