I have something to admit, I always thought peanut butter cookies were boring or not that impressive. Curtis has asked me to make ‘just' a plain ol' peanut butter cookie forever. About 6 months ago, I said alright alright. So I set on a search online and found this one. A-MAZING, Elise's peanut butter cookies are amazing. I really think it's because she uses both granulated and brown sugar in her recipe. It's our favorite peanut butter cookie now and I will just say that I no longer think that peanut butter cookies are boring. Okay? Try it.
Joanne came to visit me last week. It started from a conversation a few months ago, she said I want to come visit you. I said ok! There was no real plan except…we knew we would cook and eat. That's it. I told her about Elise's peanut butter cookies and then two different recipes evolved from this. Hers are amazing, you should check her peanut butter M&M cookies out.
And THESE brownies are amazing. I will never be the same again. I'm serious. I know you don't believe me but how could I have never thought of combining a peanut butter cookie recipe with a brownie before? It's SO GOOD. I know I keep using all caps and it's getting annoying but these are so good that I regret sending some into work with Curtis. They are that good.
I met Joanne at Food Blog Forum. She's so sweet, her blog is fantastic, her videos even better. About a year ago, we became friends, we talk on the phone and text way too much, I can't wait for her to get an iPhone haha so I can use iMessage for our chats more often. We roomed together at BlogHer in Chicago and that's where I found out she is 9 years younger than me! I couldn't believe it when she told me how old she was. She has an old soul and is so introspective, it's refreshing. I feel so fortunate to have her in my life as a dear friend and as someone who supports me immensely and is all around a fun person and a person with a good heart. I know I'm gushing but I gush over all of my friends. When you know you have true friends, you have to let them know you care about them. I believe in surrounding myself with positive people and Joanne is definitely one of those.
When she visited, we made her peanut butter M&M cookies, these brownies, breakfast sandwiches, my Mom's egg rolls (which I hope to share with you really soon), homemade pizza, chicken wings…let's just say way too much food. Once again, I realized how much I love cooking with the people I care about and I'm determined to do more of that this year. My sister is visiting from Germany in a couple of weeks and I hope it works out for her to come over so we can cook and bake together. I'm so glad Joanne came down to visit me last week but at the same time, I'm sad she lives so far away!
For brownies, I usually use foil and spray that foil with a lot of non-stick baking spray. I use Baker's Joy.
Cream the butter and sugars.
This is how I measure peanut butter…I know I'm breaking some rule by using the dry measuring cup but how else do you do it?
Blend it all together…
And you have peanut butter cookie dough!
Next up are the brownies. Is it a sin that I used a box mix? You're totally welcome to use your favorite homemade recipe. Next time, I'll try it with this recipe for chewy brownies. Add half of the brownie batter to the pan.
Scoop portions of the peanut butter cookie dough (not all of it, about half) on top of the brownie batter.
Swirl a little with a butter knife or offset spatula.
Add the rest of the brownie batter on top and using a different spatula or wipe the one you used and smooth it over so most of the peanut butter cookie dough is hidden. We're creating layers here.
Scoop the rest of the cookie dough on top.
Swirl again and then bake it for about 35 to 40 minutes.
And boom. Honestly, when I first had a bite after it cooled, I was thinking this is okay. Just okay. I wrapped it up in foil after it completely cooled and then had a taste the next day. Perfection. It actually tastes better the next day is my opinion. The cookie portion softens up and it's just perfect. And I cut them into strips just to see and it's kind of awesome how you don't feel bad when you have a half a piece…but then I ate 4 pieces in one sitting. Don't laugh…if you make these and try them, you'll understand.
Curtis brought some into work and it was gone pretty quickly is what I heard. Thanks to Curtis' co-workers for being my loyal taste testers! I declare that you have to make these…soon!!
Recipe
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Peanut Butter Cookie Brownies Recipe
Ingredients
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1 egg
- Your favorite homemade brownie recipe, such as these chewy brownies or your favorite brownie mix (I used Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Mix Triple Chunk with Hershey's)
- ingredients needed for the brownies
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-inch square pan with foil and spray with non-stick baking spray.
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough
- In a small bowl, add flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt and mix together. Set aside.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add butter and both sugars. Cream the butter and sugars with an electric hand mixer. Add peanut butter and the egg and mix thoroughly. Add dry ingredients previously mixed together and mix together with a rubber spatula. Set aside.
Brownies
- Now in a large mixing bowl, mix the brownie batter together according to the instructions on the package if using a mix or your recipe.
Assembly
- Pour half of the brownie batter into the foil-lined pan.
- Scoop portions of the peanut butter cookie dough (not all of it, about half) on top of the brownie batter. Swirl a little with a butter knife or offset spatula. Add the rest of the brownie batter on top and using a different spatula or wipe the one you used and smooth it over so most of the peanut butter cookie dough is hidden. Scoop the rest of the cookie dough on top. Swirl again and then bake it for about 35 to 40 minutes.
- Allow the brownies to sit in the pan for about 5 to 10 minutes and then remove them by grabbing the foil and lifting the brownies and the foil out of the pan, place on a cooling rack. Allow to completely cool before cutting and serving. These brownies are best served the next day. Store in an airtight container for 5 to 6 days, if they last that long!
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Mikoa says
Hi,
I want to make these for my brother, but he loves crunchy peanut butter. Do you think crunchy peanut butter would work fine in this recipe or add some chopped peanuts after making the cookie dough?
Julie Deily says
Hi Mikoa,
I used a peanut butter cookie recipe…I think you can sub in crunchy peanut butter just fine but I can’t guarantee it will come out as expected since I have never tried it. Hope you try it and it turns out great! 🙂
Claire says
Oh wow. I made a small tray of these yesterday, Threw a few peanut butter chips in for good measure too. You’re totally right about the texture getting better overnight. These are delicious- just the right amount of fudgy chocolateyness with chewy crispy cookie. Will definitely make again! I had some of cookie dough and brownie batter left, so I mixed them together, added some crushed graham crackers and baked for about 20 mins, used them to make some kind of smores bar, yummy!
Julia says
Oh. My. Goodness. I’m pregnant and came across this recipe and HAD to try it! I made it tonight and it didn’t disappoint! My family is lucky they’re here right now or I’d have eaten the whole pan by myself. Thank you!!!
Evie says
http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Measuring-Sticky-Stuff/dp/B00A2KDAIW/?tag=whatjuli-20
^^ My absolute favorite measuring cup for all things sticky. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Jamie | My Baking Addiction says
Ahhhh – it’s the two best things in world combined into one freaking awesome bite. These are a must make!
Danielle says
Posts like this make me hate and love you in equal portions. Okay, it’s mostly love.
Julie Deily says
Hi Danielle,
Seriously, you made me burst out laughing when I read your comment. Thanks for all of the love!! Hope you’re having a nice day!! 🙂
Eva says
Made these to give to a neighbor who helped me out. Half of it made it to the neighbor. The rest I ate..it was DELICIOUS! Next batch is all mine!
Cynthia says
I have made the brownies twice in the past 3 days. they are awesome! My son says they are the best I have ever made. I used the linked brownie recipe. Thanks for the recipe1
natalie @ wee eats says
I CAN’T BELIEVE HOW GOOD THESE LOOK! YOU SHOULD’VE TYPED THE WHOLE POST IN JUST CAPS!!! Totally need to make these, possibly for a valentines treat. Yum!!!
Vikki says
I subscribe to Joanne’s blog, and saw those amazing brownies, which I can’t wait to make. I’ll be subscribing to your blog now. I saw people commenting on measuring peanut butter, I put plastic wrap in the measuring cup and it just comes right out. Time to look at all your recipes which I know will be amazing since your friends with Joanne.
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Oh they’re RIGHT up my alley. PB & Choc. My two BFFs 🙂 pinned
Whitney @ The Newlywed Chefs says
Is this real life?? How come nobody has thought of this before! You’re a genius, Julie! What other cookie/brownie combos can we dream up?
Julie Deily says
You made me smile, Whitney!! Now you have me ‘cooking’ up other combos…hehe 🙂 Have a nice weekend!
Regan says
These pb cookie brownies look AWESOME! Thanks for the recipe! And your question of ‘how else do you measure peanut butter?”…….well, a few years ago, I saw Alton Brown use those pushup measuring cups, and I just had to have them……they are awesome and work perfectly for pb, molasses. honey, marshmallow fluff, …..pretty much anything that is a pain to try and put in and get out of a regular measuring cup! And here’s a link to a blog post I just found showing how they work! They’re not really expensive, and totally worth it, imho! :o) (No affiliation with any brand or product, I just really like mine…..I have the Pampered Chef ones.)
Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste says
HOLY COW! These look absolute amazing, Julie!
Angela says
I am one of Curtis’ co-workers and these were literally the BEST brownies I have ever had!! Thank you so much for letting us be your taste testers. 🙂
Katie says
Mmmm these sound so good. I love the idea of jazzing up a box mix of brownies. I’m so sad I wasn’t in town when Joanne was here!!! Love you both–one of these days we will get to cook together!
Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg says
These look scrumptious!
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures says
What a great cookie/ idea! I can’t get enough of peanut butter and chocolate.
Faaiza says
Love this combination. Peanut butter in measuring cups? Is there any other way? That’s how I do it too, best part is, some sticks to the sides then you’re forced to lick it off right?
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living says
Sounds like the perfect combination Julie! So glad you and Joanne were able to get together. She is a sweetheart and so genuine. So great you two have been able to spend time together and even better cook together!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
These cookie brownies look seriously perfect. YUM!
Tieghan says
I love that you and Joanne are so close. I think that is awesome and super fun! As are these brownies. I agree with Cindy, these are genius!
Cindy says
Julie, these are some sort genius! I am definitely going to have to make a version of these soon.
Taylor Mathis says
Julie these look delicious! Great opening picture!
Joanne @ Fifteen Spatulas says
Love ya girl! Thanks for having me, I had SO much fun. Can’t wait to do it again in Manhattan!!! <3
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love how thick and fudgy these brownies look. Great idea to combine two treats into one killer recipe!