Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Brownies

Wow, oh wow, wow!! These are not just any ol’ regular brownie….these are brownie perfection! I don’t know if there are the right words to describe this chocolate peanut butter concoction. With brownie, milk chocolate, and peanut butter cups, these bars are a home run!

When I came across this recipe on a blog the other day, I knew that I had to make these. I love brownie bar treats and the milk chocolate chips sealed the deal for me. But, hubs is the biggest reese’s fan out there. You say peanut butter cup and he perks right up. I usually have to ration the little cups off to him—he can’t be trusted with a whole bag on his own!! I knew that these brownies would be a winner for him.

 

Not only are these super tasty, they are super simple to make. The brownies are baked till almost done. Then they get topped with the peanuts and chopped reese’s cups. Back in the oven for a few more minutes and then they get the topping. Oh, the topping. I really may use this to make something new—it is so good, I could have just eaten it with a spoon!! Peanut butter is mixed with a pat of butter and a package of milk chocolate chips. When it is all melted, the cereal is added in and it is all spread on the brownies. Told ya it was easy!!

The brownies cooled and then went into the fridge for a few hours before we just had to try them. Yum. yum, yum, yum. I will say that because they are so rich, I cut them in small rectangle shape pieces instead of  a big square. They are delish. The brownie is chewy, but the nuts and cereal gives them a crunch and it has just the right amount of peanut butter in them. I can’t wait to make these for a get together, or tailgating, or just because. Enjoy!!

 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Brownies  (recipe adapted from brown eyed baker)

Ingredients

1 batch of your favorite brownie recipe for a 9×13-inch pan (I used DH chewy fudge—but you can use any recipe that you like!)
½ cup salted peanuts
8 Reese’s peanut butter cups, chopped (I used 10)
1½ cups milk chocolate chips
1½ cups creamy peanut butter
½ tablespoon unsalted butter
1½ cups Rice Krispies cereal (I added a few more—probably another 1/2 cup)

 

Directions

1. Prepare the brownies according to the directions and bake for about 5 minutes less than the recipe states. (Mine baked super fast and were ready in about 16 minutes) Remove from the oven and sprinkle the top with the peanuts and chopped peanut butter cups. Return to the oven and bake for 5 additional minutes.

2. While they are finishing baking, melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in the cereal to evenly coat. Remove the brownies from the oven and evenly pour the chocolate and peanut butter mixture over top. Spread to cover evenly. Refrigerate for 2 hours before cutting and serving. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

 

Meg