Skip to main content

Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies

Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 9 large or 16 small squares

Ingredients

For the Batter

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, plus more for the pan
2 ounces good-quality unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
4 ounces good-quality semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

For the Filling

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a buttered 8-inch-square baking pan with foil or parchment paper, allowing 2 inches to hang over the sides. Butter the lining (excluding the overhang); set the pan aside.

    Step 2

    Make the batter: Put the butter and chocolates in a heatproof medium bowl set over a pan of simmering water; stir until melted. Let cool slightly.

    Step 3

    Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl, and set aside.

    Step 4

    Whisk the granulated sugar into the chocolate mixture. Add the eggs, and whisk until the mixture is smooth. Stir in the vanilla. Add the flour mixture; stir until well incorporated.

    Step 5

    Make the filling: Stir together the butter, confectioners’ sugar, peanut butter, salt, and vanilla in a bowl until smooth.

    Step 6

    Pour one-third of the batter into the prepared pan, and spread evenly with a rubber spatula. Place dollops of filling (about 1 tablespoon each) about 1 inch apart on top of the batter. Drizzle the remaining batter on top, and gently spread to fill the pan. Place dollops of the remaining filling on top.

    Step 7

    With a butter knife, gently swirl the filling into the batter, running the knife lengthwise and crosswise through the layers. Bake until a cake tester inserted into the brownies (avoid center and edges) comes out with a few crumbs but is not wet, about 45 minutes. Let cool slightly in the pan, about 15 minutes. Lift out the brownies; let cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into squares.

The cookbook cover with a blue background and fine typeface.
Reprinted with permission from The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The New Classics by Martha Stewart Living Magazine, copyright © 2007. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of The Crown Publishing Group. Buy the full book from Amazon.
Read More
Like miso-peanut hibachi chicken and spring orzotto.
The magic of this hibachi chicken recipe comes from a combination of miso and peanut butter and how it beautifully caramelizes when it hits the grill.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Chicken breasts reach their full potential in this spicy, saucy stir-fry with blistered green beans.
Using two entire lemons—pith, skin, and all—cranks up the citrus flavor in this classic dessert.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Like carrot farro salad and chicken paella.
The secret to extra-fluffy stack? A splash of cold, bubbly seltzer.