Peanut Butter and Jelly Brownies
The ultimate comfort food, these Peanut Butter and Jelly Brownies are rich, fudgy, and simply irresistible. With layers of creamy peanut butter and sweet jelly, they make for the perfect dessert that everyone will love. Treat yourself to this easy weeknight dessert!
Equipment
- Wooden Spoon
- Frying Pan
- Chef's Knife
- Large Pot
- Baking Sheet
- Oven
Ingredients
- 2 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate coarsely chopped
- 2 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate coarsely chopped
- 3/4 cup butter
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder I love using Hershey’s Dark, but you can use either regular or dark
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup jelly your favorite flavor; I used strawberry
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Start by lining a 9x9-inch baking pan with foil and spraying it with cooking spray. This step is crucial for easy removal once your brownies are baked. The foil will help you lift the brownies out of the pan without sticking.
- In a large, microwave-safe bowl, combine unsweetened baking chocolate and semi-sweet baking chocolate with butter. Heat on high power for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until the mixture is completely smooth. This melting process is essential for the perfect texture, so be patient and keep an eye on it.
- Once melted, remove from the microwave and stir in sugar. Make sure it’s well combined before proceeding. After this, add in the eggs, vanilla, salt, and cocoa powder. Stir until everything is integrated. You’ll notice the mixture gets glossier and richer as you mix.
- Next, gently fold in the flour. Be careful not to over-mix; you want the batter to be just combined to keep the brownies tender and chewy. Once combined, spread the batter evenly in your prepared baking pan.
- Now, let’s make the peanut butter topping! In a separate bowl, mix peanut butter, melted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. This topping will add that delicious creamy layer to your brownies, enhancing their flavor.
- Drop spoonfuls of the peanut butter mixture on top of the brownie batter. Using a butter knife or the back of a wooden spoon, swirl the peanut butter into the brownie batter. Don’t worry about making it perfect; the swirls add to the charm!
- Now for the jelly! Place jelly in a small bowl and stir until smooth. Drizzle it over the brownie batter and swirl as you did with the peanut butter. Make sure to keep the jelly away from the edges of the pan so it doesn’t bubble during cooking.
- Pop the pan in the oven and bake for about 28 to 35 minutes. The edges will start to crack slightly, but the center will remain gooey. I love mine at 29 minutes for that perfect fudgy texture. If you prefer them more done, add a few extra minutes.
- Once baked, remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool in the pan. This step is crucial; waiting will allow them to set properly, making slicing much easier.
- Finally, once cooled, lift the brownies out of the pan using the foil. Slice them into bars, and enjoy the decadent treat you’ve just made!
Notes
- Cooling Time: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan; this helps them set properly and makes for easier slicing.
- Testing for Doneness: Use a toothpick to check for doneness—insert it into the center, and if it comes out with a few moist crumbs, they’re perfect.
- Mixing Technique: When combining ingredients, avoid overmixing after adding the flour to keep your brownies tender.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If they last that long!