One of the biggest hits on my blog so far has been my Pecan Pie Brownies. I was inspired to make something that combined rich chocolate notes with the texture and flavors of pecan pie…both of which are my dad’s absolute FAVORITE desserts. On the day that my parents were flying into San Francisco to visit, I took a plate of the brownies to the local bed and breakfast they were staying at, and had them placed in their room. My dad loved them…he actually thought that the hotel staff made them…so he was pleasantly surprised when he discovered that I made them especially for him. He told me then…”These are the best brownies I have EVER had…probably the best in the WORLD!”
I don’t know if they will ever achieve that title, but they certainly have received plenty of attention in blogger world. They were even featured on Yummly.com as one of the Top-10 Brownie Recipes. Not too shabby for a little blogger like me.
So how do you take a perfect brownie, and make it equally as delicious for a peanut butter lover??? Add frosting of course! For this recipe, I used the same brownie base as the Pecan Pie Brownies, but instead of pecan pie topping, I whipped up a peanut butter frosting that was light and airy and soooo yummy! These brownies top the OMG I can’t help myself from eating them, even though they are not gluten-free list!! I had to sample…just one..ok maybe two bites. Although I could have eaten the entire pan..my stomach would have hated me for that…so just a few bites of indulgence was AMAZING!!
Peanut Butter Frosted Brownies
2013-12-14 19:09:36
Yields 20
10 oz. bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
4 oz. unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/2-1 cup of Peanut Butter chips
1 cup (16 tbsp.) unsalted butter, at room temperature
6 tbsp. cocoa powder
6 large eggs
2½ cups sugar
4 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans
6 Tbsp shortening (i.e. Crisco)
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temp
3/4-1 cup creamy peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy)
1-1.5 cups confectioners sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp water
1.Preheat oven to 350F
2.Prior to making the brownie batter, prepare a 9×13 pan by covering it in a heavy layer of aluminum foil. Lightly spray with cooking spray. This will make clean up and removal from the pan much easier.
3. Combine chocolate heatproof bowl with the butter and set over a pan of simmering water. This is known as the double boiler method.
4. Heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter and chocolate are completely melted and smooth.
5. Whisk in the cocoa powder until smooth.
6. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, salt and vanilla.
7. Whisk in the chocolate mixture.
8. Fold in the flour with a spatula just until incorporated and no dry streaks remain.
9. Fold in the pecans and the peanut butter chips
10. Pour into prepared pan and bake at 350F for 35-45 mins. The depth of your pan will affect the amount of time it take for the brownies to bake but NOT over bake! Start checking them around 30-35 mins into the baking. I use the "clean knife" test…but these will be a little gooey so take them out before they start to look cakey because they will come out dry once they cool.
1. While the brownies are cooling you can begin to prepare the frosting….but be patient…don't frost them until the brownies are COMPLETELY cool. You don't want melted runny frosting do you??
2. Using an electric stand or hand mixer, combine butter and shortening into a whipped creamy consistency
3. Add peanut butter and continue to whip until fully incorporated.
4. Slowly add confectioners sugar and vanilla.
5. Add enough water (about 2 Tbsp) to get to a fluffy, moist consistency.
One tip to look for to know if they are done, is that the middle doesn't shake when you move the pan. If the middle is moving, they are still too liquidy and need a few (5) more minutes.
By The Prepped Chef
Adapted from Brownie recipe modified from Annies-Eats
Adapted from Brownie recipe modified from Annies-Eats
The Prepped Chef https://www.pmaapestworld.com/
With the holidays rapidly approaching, these peanut butter frosted pecan brownies will be the life of the party and the talk of the town. Need a gift for co-workers or neighbors..what better than homemade brownies? Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays..and HAPPY BAKING!!
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About Sheena
There are many different facets of interest in my personal and professional life. My passion for baking has developed over the past several years; I love the satisfaction of sharing my delicious treats with friends and family. My sweet tooth, and love of baking is quite contradictory of my profession. I am a dentist, and currently a post-doctoral student, studying a dental specialty. My other interest is health and fitness...again...quite controversial of my baked goods..but, I believe....all things in moderation. I enjoy running and working out, and even making healthy entrees for my husband and I. After following several other food blogs, I decided, that this would be a new hobby. I am passionate about everything I take part in, and hope that you enjoy this blog and that it inspires you to make each day delicious with homemade prepared meals....and desserts :)
These brownies were absolutely amazing, the brownie was so decadent and the frosting was light and fluffy! I am relatively new at baking and this was my first time trying the double boiler method. I was delighted at how easy these were to make! Thanks for the great recipe!