The Ultimate Easy Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

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These days, it's not easy to find time to make a gourmet dessert to bring, between work, kids, friends, and managing your mental health. That's why this super simple recipe that hacks a boxed brownie mix is perfect for any occasion. With just a few added ingredients and less than an hour - including baking time - you'll have an indulgent brownie that will satisfy any sweet tooth and look like it came straight from the bakery!

Boxed mixes can get a bad reputation for being a 'cheat' and tasting a little blah, but with a few substitutions and additions, you can easily fancy it up. Here's what you'll need:

Shopping List

- Family Size box brownie mix - any flavor (I prefer chocolate fudge or milk chocolate for this recipe)

- Instant coffee or instant espresso powder

Pantry List

This scrumptious recipe starts by dressing up and baking your boxed brownie mix. My favorite mix calls for two eggs, 3 tablespoons of water, and 2/3 cup of vegetable oil. You're simply going to add a few teaspoons of instant coffee or espresso powder to the water, a dash of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the batter. You won't believe the difference these simple ingredients make! While you won't taste them outright, the brownies will have a much deeper taste profile that will leave people wondering what it is that keeps them coming back for another bite.

While the batter is baking up for about 20 minutes, whip up the peanut butter layer. Ever wondered what makes the Reese's PB cup filling just so good? It's as simple as this: smooth peanut butter, confectioner's sugar, and salted butter. Try to keep from eating it straight out of the bowl with a few chocolate chips!

The peanut butter mixture is a little stiff at first, but once you let it sit covered until it's ready to use, it will soften up and be ready to top your hot brownies.

The final, but most vital step: melt some chocolate chips and drizzle it all over the peanut butter middle. Chef's kiss!

The Ultimate Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

Recipe makes 24 brownies

Recommended serving size: 1 - 2 per person

Oven Temperature: 350°F (176°C)

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 20 - 23 minutes

Layers of rich chocolate brownie, sweet and salty peanut butter topping, and melted chocolate drizzle

Ingredients:

1 Family Size boxed brownie mix - any flavor (Chocolate Fudge or Milk Chocolate suggested)

2 eggs (or number on package)

2/3 cup vegetable or canola oil (or amount on package)

3 Tbsp water (or amount on package)

1 1/2 Tbsp instant coffee granules or instant espresso powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1 cup smooth peanut butter

1 1/2 cups confectioners (10x) sugar

4 Tbsp salted butter (1/2 stick)

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 Tbsp coconut oil (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C). Spray a 9"x13" pan with cooking spray, line with parchment paper, and spray the parchment lightly. Set aside.

2. Make the brownie batter: In a small bowl, combine water and coffee granules and stir until dissolved. Add eggs, oil, vanilla, salt, and coffee mixture to brownie mix and stir 50 times with a wooden spoon to combine. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl to ensure no dry mix remains. Pour into prepared pan and bake per package directions (20-23 minutes). The top should be glossy and shiny, but when the pan is jiggled, the center is not completely set and hard. Brownies can easily over bake and become dry!

3. While the brownies are baking, make your peanut butter topping. In a large bowl, combine peanut butter and butter until smooth and slightly whipped. You can do this by hand or use a hand or stand mixer. Add confectioners sugar and mix until well combined; mixture may be stiff. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature.

4. Using a double boiler, melt chocolate chips (and coconut oil if desired), until smooth and liquid. Leave over very low heat to keep warm until needed.

5. Assembly: Once brownies are baked, remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Scatter chunks of peanut butter topping over the top of the warm brownies. I like to flatten them slightly first to cover the full area, but they still look rustic. Drizzle melted chocolate over the top of the peanut butter layer.

6. Chill for at least 20 minutes to set the chocolate drizzle, then slice with a hot knife and enjoy!