If you adore the best of both worlds where chewy brownies meet classic peanut butter cookies, the Peanut Butter Brookies Recipe is your new go-to for an irresistible treat. These rich, buttery cookies studded with chunks of fudgy brownie deliver a perfect harmony of textures and flavors that will have you swooning from the very first bite. It’s a delightful twist on two beloved desserts combined into one mouthwatering bite-sized snack.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, everyday pantry staples is all it takes to create the magic of Peanut Butter Brookies Recipe. Each ingredient thoughtfully contributes to the richness, chewiness, or sweetness that defines this delightful treat.
- ½ cup butter (softened): Adds creamy richness and moisture to the dough.
- ½ cup Crisco shortening: Enhances tenderness and keeps the brookies perfectly chewy.
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter: Provides smooth, nutty flavor that infuses every bite.
- ½ cup crunchy peanut butter: Adds texture and a delightful peanut crunch.
- 1 cup brown sugar (firmly packed): Brings deep caramel notes and chewiness.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and helps with cookie structure.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together for that perfect cookie chew.
- 2 tsp vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with warm aromatic sweetness.
- 2 tsp baking soda: Ensures a nice rise and tender crumb.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The backbone that shapes the cookie dough and provides structure.
- 3 cups chopped brownies: The star ingredient, bursting with fudgy chocolate goodness inside each cookie.
- Sugar (for rolling): Adds an extra sweet, slightly crunchy coating outside.
How to Make Peanut Butter Brookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF and line cookie sheets with parchment paper. This step ensures the cookies bake evenly and come off the tray without sticking, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cream Together Sugars and Fats
In an electric mixer, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, softened butter, shortening, and both creamy and crunchy peanut butter until the mixture is light and fluffy. This creaming process is crucial for the perfect texture, as it incorporates air and blends all the delicious fats with sugar for even sweetness.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Mix in the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract. These ingredients bring structure and flavor depth, ensuring your brookies won’t be too dense while maintaining their moist goodness.
Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the all-purpose flour and baking soda to the mixture, blending well as you go. This step balances the dough by giving it body and ensuring the cookies hold their shape without spreading too thin.
Step 5: Fold in Brownie Chunks
Gently stir in the chopped brownies to distribute fudgy surprises throughout each cookie. This adds unexpected bursts of chewy chocolate heaven that make this recipe stand out from ordinary peanut butter cookies.
Step 6: Form and Bake
Using a medium cookie scoop, shape the dough into balls and roll them in sugar for a sparkly, sweet crust. Place them on the prepared sheets and bake for 11 to 13 minutes until golden around the edges but still soft in the center. The timing is essential to keep that chewy texture we all crave.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Brookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on the warm brookies right after baking to heighten their peanut and chocolate flavors. You could also drizzle melted chocolate or a thin ribbon of peanut butter on top for a stunning finish that everyone will admire before devouring.
Side Dishes
Pair these brookies with a tall glass of cold milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic dessert experience. If you want a grown-up twist, a robust cup of coffee or a creamy latte complements the sweetness beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the brookies stacked on a vintage dessert plate or individually wrapped with a festive ribbon for charming gifts. You could also sandwich ice cream between two brookies for an indulgent dessert sandwich perfect for summer gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Peanut Butter Brookies Recipe treats in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and fresh for up to 4 days, making them a convenient snack for busy days.
Freezing
These cookies freeze exceptionally well. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. When stored properly, they remain delicious for up to 3 months.
Reheating
To enjoy your frozen or stored brookies at their best, simply warm them in a preheated oven at 300ºF for a few minutes or microwave briefly. This brings back the gooey, melty charm just like freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use only creamy or only crunchy peanut butter?
Absolutely! Using only creamy will make the texture smoother, while just crunchy will add more peanut bits throughout. The combination used in the Peanut Butter Brookies Recipe provides the best balance of flavor and texture, but it’s flexible to your preference.
What kind of brownies work best in this recipe?
Dense, fudgy brownies are ideal for chopping up and mixing into the dough. They hold their shape well during baking and add a moist, chocolatey surprise inside each cookie.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking. Refrigerating helps meld the flavors and can make it easier to shape the dough balls.
Why roll the dough balls in sugar?
Rolling the balls in sugar before baking adds a slightly crisp, sparkly coating to the cookies, elevating their presentation and offering a delightful textural contrast.
Is this recipe suitable for sharing at parties?
Definitely! Peanut Butter Brookies Recipe makes a crowd-pleasing treat perfect for parties, potlucks, or any gathering where you want to impress with a delectable homemade dessert.
Final Thoughts
Give yourself the gift of homemade comfort and joy with the Peanut Butter Brookies Recipe. It’s a truly special way to enjoy two favorite treats in one bite, guaranteed to bring smiles and satisfy any sweet craving. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll quickly become a beloved favorite in your baking repertoire!
Print
Peanut Butter Brookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (approximately 12 medium cookies)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these Peanut Butter Brookies, a perfect fusion of soft peanut butter cookies studded with rich, chewy brownie pieces. This quick and easy recipe yields a sweet treat with a crispy sugar-coated exterior and a moist, fudgy center that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Peanut Butter Dough
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ½ cup Crisco shortening
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup crunchy peanut butter
- 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Add-Ins
- 3 cups chopped brownies
- sugar, for rolling dough balls
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper to ensure easy removal and even baking.
- Create the Dough: In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, softened butter, Crisco shortening, creamy peanut butter, and crunchy peanut butter until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract and mix well.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and baking soda to the wet mixture, mixing until everything is well blended and forms a thick dough. Gently fold in the chopped brownie pieces ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Shape Cookies: Using a medium cookie scoop, portion the dough into balls. Roll each cookie ball in granulated sugar to coat thoroughly, which will add a sweet, crunchy crust.
- Bake: Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared cookie sheets, spacing them appropriately to allow for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 11-13 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve and enjoy your chewy, peanut buttery brookies!
Notes
- For extra fudginess, choose brownies that are moist and dense for chopping into the dough.
- To vary texture, swap some crunchy peanut butter with all creamy if you prefer a smoother cookie.
- Storage: Place cooled brookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for longer keeping.
- If you don’t have Crisco shortening, you can substitute with additional butter but expect slight texture differences.
