Peanut Butter Brownies

These peanut butter brownies combine rich chocolate with creamy peanut butter swirls for a satisfying treat. Quick to prepare, they're perfect for any occasion.

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Prep Time15

Cook Time30

Total Time2 45

Servings

Thick, rich, and unapologetically peanut buttery. These peanut butter brownies strike the perfect balance between fudgy chocolate base and salty-sweet swirls of creamy peanut butter.

Peanut Butter Brownie Recipe Ingredients

A flat lay of ingredients for chocolate peanut butter brownies, including flour, cocoa powder, sugar, butter, eggs, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and vanilla, all neatly labeled on a marble background.

Ingredient Substitutions

Unsweetened Dutch cocoa powder is a great substitute for regular unsweetened cocoa powder. We wouldn’t recommend. black cocoa, which differs significantly in processing and flavor.
You can use a boxed brownie mix instead of from scratch brownies. Prepare the mix according to the package instructions, then follow your swirl technique.

Best Peanut Butter For This Recipe

✅ BEST CHOICE:
🥜 Creamy, Commercial Peanut Butter – Use Skippy or Jif creamy peanut butter. Their textures are smooth and they require no stirring — making the recipe easier.

🚫 AVOID THESE OPTIONS:
🥜 Natural Peanut Butter – The oil separation makes the batter too runny.
🌰 Almond or Cashew Butter – Changes the flavor and consistency.
🥄 Crunchy Peanut Butter – Adds unwanted texture in the swirl.

It’s Easy! Creating The Peanut Butter Swirl

To create that beautiful design in your peanut butter swirl brownie recipe:
(refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for complete instructions)

1 – In a pan prepared with half of the brownie batter, dollop teaspoons of peanut butter. Space evenly to ensure you’ll have peanut butter throughout your brownies.

2 – Spread the other half of the brownie batter over the top of the peanut butter dollops.

3 – Drizzle heated peanut butter over the top of the brownie batter in three evenly spaced rows.

4 – Take a butter knife or skewer and gently drag it through the batter in patterns like figure-eights or spirals. The goal is to create a marbled look without fully mixing the two.

Note – If you notice the peanut butter beginning to sink into the batter, place the pan in the freezer for about 10 minutes. This quick chill helps keep the peanut butter on top and the swirls intact.

If you’re interested in another easy way to make brownies with peanut butter, check out our chocolate peanut butter brownies. Instead of swirling peanut butter into the batter, this recipe bakes actual peanut butter cups right inside.

Tips: Make The Best Homemade Peanut Butter Brownies

Prepare:	Allow eggs and butter to reach room temperature before mixing to ensure a smooth, evenly blended batter.
Mix:	Gently fold in the flour and cocoa until just combined to keep the batter dense and maintain that coveted fudgy texture.
Bake:	Bake until the center is slightly underdone—indicated by a few moist crumbs on a toothpick—to secure the perfect balance of set edges and a fudgy middle.
Serve:	Let the brownies cool completely in the pan; this helps flavors meld and ensures clean, professional slices when you cut them.

Storing Brownies With Peanut Butter

Once cooled, store these peanut butter brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, refrigerate up to a week or freeze (individually wrapped) for up to two months. Let frozen brownies come to room temp or warm slightly in the microwave before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell when the brownies are done baking?

To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the pan. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs, the brownies are ready. Avoid overbaking to keep them fudgy.

Can I use an 8×8-inch pan instead of a 9×9-inch pan?

Yes, you can use an 8×8-inch pan instead of a 9×9-inch pan for these brownies. However, since the batter will be thicker, you may need to adjust the baking time. Start checking for doneness a few minutes earlier than the original recipe suggests to prevent overbaking.

Is it possible to mix the batter ahead of time and then put it in the oven a few hours later?

You can mix the batter ahead of time if you keep it covered in the refrigerator. Just be sure to allow it to come back to room temperature before baking. Keep in mind that extended resting might slightly affect the texture, so for the best results, try to bake it within a few hours.

A top-down view of sliced chocolate peanut butter brownies, featuring the creamy peanut butter swirl designs on each piece.

More Chocolate Peanut Butter Dessert Recipes

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies – perfectly marry rich cocoa with creamy peanut butter in every bite.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Dream Bars – smooth chocolate layers intertwine with velvety peanut butter for a truly dreamy dessert.

Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies – melted chocolate and hearty peanut butter without the need for an oven.

Peanut Butter Marshmallow Cups – peanut butter and fluffy marshmallows blend into a perfectly satisfying treat.