Welcome to a world where the rich, creamy allure of peanut butter meets the decadent, fudgy embrace of chocolate. Prepare your taste buds for an unparalleled dessert experience: **Brownie Batter Frosted Peanut Butter Bars**. These aren’t just any ordinary bars; they are a masterpiece of sweet and salty perfection, combining a soft, chewy peanut butter cookie base with an incredibly rich, egg-free brownie batter frosting. It’s a treat so delightful, it will leave you utterly speechless, much like a gourmet Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup but in an even more irresistible bar form.
The Ultimate Sweet and Salty Indulgence
There’s something inherently magical about the combination of chocolate and peanut butter. It’s a classic pairing that has captivated dessert lovers for generations, and these bars elevate that classic to new heights. Imagine biting into a chewy, tender peanut butter cookie that melts in your mouth, its subtle saltiness perfectly balancing the intense sweetness. Then, a thick layer of luxurious chocolate frosting, tasting exactly like spoonfuls of raw brownie batter – but without any of the raw egg concerns – sweeps over your palate. This is a dessert that truly hits all the right notes, making it an ideal choice for celebrations, family gatherings, or simply treating yourself to something extraordinarily delicious.
These bars were inspired by a special occasion, a birthday celebration for my wonderful husband, Brandon. He shares the world’s obsession with the chocolate and peanut butter combo, so I knew these would be the perfect birthday bake. We started his special day with our favorite donuts and ended it with a candle stuck right in the middle of one of these heavenly bars. It was a day filled with sweetness, and these bars certainly played a starring role in making it memorable. While his birthday was the catalyst, this recipe has quickly become a beloved staple, perfect for any time you crave a dessert that feels both comforting and utterly gourmet.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Peanut Butter Brownie Bars
What makes these peanut butter bars truly stand out? Let’s break down the irresistible components:
1. The Perfect Chewy Peanut Butter Cookie Base
Unlike traditional cookies, these bars offer a delightful uniformity and a more substantial bite. The base is rich with creamy peanut butter, giving it that characteristic nutty flavor, while a blend of granulated and light brown sugars ensures a soft, moist, and incredibly chewy texture. The hint of kosher salt woven throughout the dough is crucial; it enhances the peanut butter’s natural flavor and cuts through the sweetness, creating that coveted sweet and salty dynamic that makes these bars so addictive. Baking these in a single pan also simplifies the process, making it much quicker than scooping individual cookies.
2. Indulgent Egg-Free Brownie Batter Frosting
This frosting is the crown jewel of the entire dessert. It’s thick, ultra-fudgy, and boasts an intense chocolate flavor that genuinely mimics the experience of sneaking a spoonful of raw brownie batter straight from the bowl. The best part? It’s completely egg-free! This means you can indulge without any worries, savoring every rich, chocolatey bite. Made with softened butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and melted semi-sweet chocolate chips, this frosting is whipped to a dreamy, fluffy consistency that perfectly complements the dense peanut butter base. It’s a safe, delicious, and utterly satisfying indulgence that sets these bars apart.
3. Super Easy to Bake
Despite their gourmet taste and impressive appearance, these brownie batter frosted peanut butter bars are surprisingly simple to make. The steps are straightforward, perfect for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned pros. You’ll spend minimal time in the kitchen and be rewarded with a dessert that looks and tastes like it came from a professional bakery. The convenience of a bar recipe means less fuss and more enjoyment.
4. Tastes Just Like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup
If you’re a fan of the classic chocolate and peanut butter candy, prepare to be amazed. These bars capture that iconic flavor profile with uncanny accuracy, but in a homemade, even more satisfying format. The balance of creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate is so spot-on, you’ll feel like you’re eating a giant, elevated version of your favorite treat. This comparison alone is enough to make anyone want to dive headfirst into a pan of these incredible bars!
Baking Tips for Perfection
Achieving bakery-quality bars at home is easier than you think. Here are a few tips to ensure your Brownie Batter Frosted Peanut Butter Bars turn out absolutely perfect every time:
- **Room Temperature Ingredients**: For both the bars and the frosting, ensure your butter and eggs (for the bars) are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together smoothly, creating a more uniform and tender texture.
- **Don’t Overmix**: When combining the wet and dry ingredients for the peanut butter base, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tougher bars.
- **Watch the Bake Time**: Ovens can vary. While 30 minutes is a good guideline, keep an eye on your bars. They are done when the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, not wet batter. Tinting with foil if the top browns too quickly is a smart move.
- **Cool Completely**: This is a crucial step for both the bars and the frosting. The bars must be completely cool before frosting, otherwise, the warm bars will melt the frosting into a messy puddle. Patience is key here!
- **Achieving Fluffy Frosting**: Beat the softened butter and vanilla until creamy before adding dry ingredients. Incorporate the powdered sugar, flour, and cocoa powder gradually, mixing on low speed to avoid a powdery mess, then gradually increase speed to medium-high to whip it into a light and fluffy consistency after adding milk and melted chocolate.
- **Melted Chocolate for Frosting**: Allow the chocolate chips to cool slightly after melting. Adding hot chocolate to the frosting can cause it to seize or become too thin.
- **Cutting Cleanly**: For neat slices, let the frosting set for at least 15 minutes, or even chill the bars briefly in the refrigerator, before cutting. A sharp knife, wiped clean between cuts, will give you perfect squares.
Versatile for Any Occasion
These bars are incredibly versatile. They are substantial enough to serve as a standalone dessert at a potluck or party, but also perfect for a casual afternoon snack with a cup of coffee or milk. Package them individually for homemade gifts, or bring them to a bake sale where they are sure to be a hit. The convenience of baking in a 9×13-inch pan means you can easily feed a crowd, and they travel well, making them ideal for school events or office treats.
The delightful interplay of textures – the chewiness of the cookie and the smooth, creamy frosting – along with the balanced flavors, ensures these bars will disappear quickly. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself making a second batch sooner than you expected!
Ready to Bake?
Now that you’re well-acquainted with the magic of these brownie batter frosted peanut butter bars, it’s time to get baking! This recipe promises a truly rewarding experience, culminating in a dessert that is rich, satisfying, and utterly unforgettable. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply to satisfy a craving, these bars are guaranteed to be a hit. Get ready to indulge in the ultimate sweet and salty delight!
Enjoy every blissful bite!
xoxo,
Print Recipe
Brownie Batter Frosted Peanut Butter Bars
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- Author: The BakerMama
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 18
Description
Chewy peanut butter cookie bars are covered in a rich egg-free brownie batter frosting for a sweet and salty treat that’s beyond amazing to eat!
Ingredients
For the Peanut Butter Bars:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
For the Egg-Free Brownie Batter Frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted and slightly cooled
Instructions
- **Prepare for Baking**: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- **Cream Wet Ingredients**: In the large bowl of an electric mixer, combine the softened unsalted butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the large eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract until just combined.
- **Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients**: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in the mixer, about 1 cup at a time, beating on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Spread the dough evenly into your prepared 9×13-inch baking pan.
- **Bake the Peanut Butter Bars**: Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. If the edges start to darken too quickly, you can loosely tent the pan with aluminum foil for the remainder of the baking time. Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the peanut butter bars to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting. This step is crucial for the frosting consistency.
- **Prepare the Egg-Free Brownie Batter Frosting**: While the bars cool, begin making the frosting. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and salt. Add half of these dry ingredients to the butter mixture and beat on low speed until a crumbly mixture begins to form. Pour in the milk and continue to beat on low speed until the mixture just starts to combine. Add the remaining dry ingredients and beat on low speed until barely incorporated.
- **Finish and Frost**: Melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl for 45-60 seconds, stirring until smooth. Let the melted chocolate cool slightly (it should still be liquid but not hot) before adding it to the frosting mixture. Beat on low speed until the chocolate is fully mixed throughout. Turn the mixer to medium-high speed and beat for 2-3 minutes until the frosting is light, fluffy, and irresistibly smooth. Spread this rich brownie batter frosting evenly over the completely cooled peanut butter bars. Allow the frosting to set for at least 15 minutes at room temperature (or a quick chill in the refrigerator) before cutting into bars and serving.
Notes
- Store these delicious bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain their freshness and texture. They can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature.
- For an extra touch, consider sprinkling some flaky sea salt over the frosting just before it sets, or adding mini chocolate chips on top.