Peanut Butter Cup Crunch Brownie Bars
So, do you happen to remember the insane brownies that I made quite awhile ago, the Marshmallow Crunch Brownie Bars? They’re a layer of brownies, then ooey gooey marshmallows, and then topped with a combination of melted chocolate, peanut butter and Rice Krispies.
Well, those brownies and these brownies could be twin sisters. What’s going on here is a layer of chewy, fudgy brownies, topped with peanuts and chopped peanut butter cups, and then topped off with that same melted chocolate/peanut butter/Rice Krispies mixture. Insanity. In an insanely good way.
I found a version of this recipe over on Babble – it includes a full-on peanut butter layer in the middle instead of the peanuts and peanut butter cups. I may have to give that one a shot too. Oh, who am I kidding? “May?” Of COURSE I am going to make those too!
For the brownie base of these you can use your favorite brownie recipe. They are best with a chewy, fudgy brownie vs. a cakey brownie. I think these Chewy Brownies are perfect for the job, but use whatever you’d like, just make sure it’s a recipe for a 9×13-inch baking dish (not an 8×8 or 9×9).
(I also used the chewy brownies as a base for my very favorite chocolate peanut butter brownies, as well as my buckeye brownies; you have to give those a try, too!)
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Don’t say I didn’t warn you about how addicting these are, but your life will certainly be more complete with these babies in it!
Peanut Butter Cup Crunch Brownie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 batch of your favorite brownie recipe for a 9×13-inch pan, I recommend Chewy Brownies
- ½ cup (73 g) salted peanuts
- 8 Reese’s peanut butter cups, chopped
- 1½ cups (270 g) milk chocolate chips
- 1½ cups (387 g) creamy peanut butter
- ½ tablespoon (0.5 tablespoon) unsalted butter
- 1½ cups (42 g) Rice Krispies cereal
Instructions
- 1. Prepare the brownies according to the directions and bake for about 5 minutes less than the recipe states. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the top with the peanuts and chopped peanut butter cups. Return to the oven and bake for 5 additional minutes.
- 2. While they are finishing baking, melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in the cereal to evenly coat. Remove the brownies from the oven and evenly pour the chocolate and peanut butter mixture over top. Spread to cover evenly. Refrigerate for 2 hours before cutting and serving. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
These look lovely. But we don’t get peanut butter cups here. Can anyone recommend a substitute that will work?
I made these before and they are all sorts of wonderful! You’re tempting me to make them again!!
Mary xx
Delightful Bitefuls
Peanut butter brownies = Oh my; Peanut butter CRUNCH brownies = OMG! I can totally see how these would be addicting! :)
Wow!! Amazing – I definitely wouldn’t say no to these!
Creamy, crunchy, chocolate, peanut butter… who could ask for anything more!
This might be sudden… but… will you marry me? :)
Honestly, that brownie is insanely awesome. I have an unhealthy relationship with peanut butter and anything peanut butter and chocolate (or peanut butter and anything :)). I built what I dubbed the “ “Epic Brownie” for Christmas which was 4 layers of different chocolates and chocolate textures. However, I now realize my error and wish it had occured to me at the time to add a layer of peanut butter or peanut butter cups :). Simply brilliant ! :).
Michelle – as always you have outdone yourself! This is my typ of dessert! Very dangerous!
so, the boyfriend, his co-workers, and my family already declared the marshmallow crunch version to be better than crack. i think these would put them at a loss for words!
omigod. My friend and I , MB we call her, are having a peanut butter bake day and I think these need to be added.
You sold me at better than crack.
This looks lovely. I would be in chocoalte heaven.
Michelle, I’ve made a very similar recipe (the brownie recipe is slightly different.) These are awesome!! Wanted to tell you about a variation I have made, which might appeal to others. My son loves chocolate, but isn’t a marshmallow fan. I have replaced the marshmallow with a bag of caramels, melted with 1/4 cup half-and-half. I may even like that better. But hey, I wouldn’t turn down either!
As for spreading the chocolate/peanut butter topping, as someone mentioned having difficulty with, I find it easiest to wait about 5 minutes, then put small dabs of it (maybe about 1 tsp to 1 TB – not necessary to be precise) over the entire surface, not being too particular – just dropping it all over quickly) and, using the offset spatula like you mentioned, then spread the stuff. When you only have to spread a tiny area to meet up with the next, it’s much easier to do.
Sorry, Michelle. My post about the caramel was meant to go under the Marshmallow Crunch Brownies. Duh…
I’m a little terrified to make these; I can already tell they’ll be addicting, even without your warning. Not sure my waistline can take it. :)
These are amazing. I am powerless over anything peanut butter cup.
These are the most requested brownies everywhere we go! They are so, so delicious!
Goodness…these look divine! And they’re the second recipe we’ve seen today using pb cups so CLEARLY it’s a sign from above we need to get to the store asap and stock up.
::drools:: those look amazing!
Are you KIDDING me? It’s 9:30 a.m. and I want these NOW.
Great recipe! Thanks for sharing. I can’t wait to try these out!
Those look so good! Chopping peanut butter cups would be a good use of my nut chopper :-)
Yum–just when you think a brownie can’t get any better!!
p.s. Would you take a minute and vote for my Pink Velvet POM cupcake here: http://www.pomwonderful.com/cupcakecontest/
You can definitely spread the word if you would like–thanks a million!
Ahh I’ve had these bookmarked ever since Jessica posted them. Now that you’ve endorsed them too, I simply have to make them!!!
OMG…i am going out today …no…running out today…to get all the ingredients to bake these babies!
delicious!
Wow! This looks amazing!
I will be taking just those three in the first photo, ya know, ’cause I’m totally modest :)
Every time I see a spin on this I want to make it. Brownies with peanut butter anything are so good but the idea of the rice krispies that add a crunch is just so good!
Wow these brownies sound amazing! Love the peanut butter cups. Am def trying!!
Yess – I’ve been dying to make these since I saw Jess do them – need to get on that!
Awesome idea! I love Reese’s peanut butter cups!
Dyinggggggggg to make these!
yum! i can’t wait to make these!
Yum!! I simply couldn’t have these around my house, I wouldn’t be able to resist them :)