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Rich & Fudgy Peanut Butter Cup Brownies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.1 from 55 reviews

These Rich & Fudgy Peanut Butter Cup Brownies combine the classic deep chocolate brownie with chunks of Reese’s peanut butter cups for an irresistible treat. Topped with festive reindeer cookies, this dessert is perfect for holiday occasions or any time you crave a decadent, chocolatey indulgence with a fun twist.

Ingredients

Scale

Brownie Batter

  • 7 oz Semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 4 oz Unsalted butter
  • 3 Eggs (room temperature)
  • 2 tsp Vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cups White granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup All-purpose flour
  • 3 tbsp Dutch process cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 cup Reese’s peanut butter cups (miniature, cut in half, plus more for topping)
  • 1/2 cup Mini chocolate chips

Reindeer Cookie Toppings

  • 16 Nutter Butter cookies
  • 16 Miniature pretzels
  • 32 Candy eyes
  • 16 Red round candies (mini M&M’s)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Spray an 8×8 inch baking pan with nonstick spray and line two sides of the pan with parchment paper to facilitate easy removal of the brownies.
  2. Melt Chocolate and Butter: In a large bowl, combine semi-sweet chocolate chips and unsalted butter. Set this bowl over a double boiler and stir continuously until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool for 5 minutes.
  3. Sift Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, Dutch process cocoa powder, and salt to ensure there are no lumps and the ingredients are well incorporated.
  4. Whip Eggs and Sugar: Using a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the room temperature eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes pale yellow and slightly thickened.
  5. Combine Chocolate Mixture: Gently stir the cooled chocolate and butter mixture into the whipped egg mixture, blending thoroughly but carefully.
  6. Fold in Dry Ingredients: Add the sifted flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, fold the batter gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the brownies tender.
  7. Add Peanut Butter Cups and Chocolate Chips: Cut the peanut butter cups in half, then fold them along with the mini chocolate chips into the batter evenly.
  8. Bake the Brownies: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes. The edges should be set and a toothpick inserted near the center should come out with moist crumbs.
  9. Cool and Top with Peanut Butter Cups: Remove the brownies from the oven and let them sit for 10 minutes. Then, place additional peanut butter cup halves on top. Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before slicing.
  10. Assemble Reindeer Cookies: To assemble the festive reindeer cookies, attach a miniature pretzel to the top of each Nutter Butter cookie using a small amount of melted chocolate, frosting, or peanut butter as adhesive. Next, place two candy eyes below the pretzel antlers, and add a red round candy as the reindeer’s nose. Place each completed reindeer cookie on top of each individual brownie slice for a playful and festive presentation.

Notes

  • For best results, use room temperature eggs to ensure better whipping and incorporation into the batter.
  • You can substitute Reese’s peanut butter cups with any similar peanut butter chocolate candy for variation.
  • Double boiler method helps prevent burning chocolate by melting it gently.
  • The reindeer cookie decoration is optional but adds a festive and fun touch perfect for holiday gatherings.
  • Make sure not to overbake the brownies to keep them fudgy and moist.

Keywords: peanut butter cup brownies, fudgy brownies, chocolate brownies, holiday dessert, reindeer cookies, peanut butter chocolate dessert

Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/rich-and-fudgy-peanut-butter-cup-brownies-recipe/