Description
Delight in these rich and fudgy Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge Brownies, combining the irresistible flavors of creamy peanut butter and intense cocoa. Perfectly blended with natural sweeteners and a choice of gluten-free flours, these brownies offer a luscious treat that’s simple to prepare and bake to chocolatey perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil or butter
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup or honey
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 cup flour (oat, white, spelt, or almond for gluten-free)
Optional
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of brownies.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, melted coconut oil or butter, pure maple syrup or honey, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and uniform in texture.
- Add Cocoa and Leavening Agents: Stir in the unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda into the wet mixture. Mix well until all dry ingredients are fully incorporated, forming a rich, chocolatey batter base.
- Incorporate Flour and Chocolate Chips: Slowly fold in the flour to create a thick brownie batter. If using, gently fold in the chocolate chips to add bursts of melted chocolate throughout the brownies.
- Spread Batter in Pan: Spread the batter evenly into your prepared baking dish. For a decorative touch, you can swirl an extra spoonful of peanut butter on top to create a marbled effect.
- Bake the Brownies: Bake for 20 minutes if you prefer super fudgy brownies, or extend baking up to 25 minutes for a firmer texture. Keep a close eye near the end to avoid overbaking.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the brownies to cool completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts. For the neatest slices, chill the brownies first and wipe your knife between slices.
Notes
- You can use either smooth or crunchy peanut butter; crunchy adds extra texture.
- Choose your preferred natural sweetener: maple syrup for a richer taste or honey for a floral sweetness.
- Opt for various flours to make the recipe gluten-free if needed (almond or oat flour recommended).
- Swirling additional peanut butter on top before baking adds a beautiful marbled design and bonus flavor.
- Chilling the brownies before slicing helps achieve clean edges and prevent crumbling.
- Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate up to a week.
