Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Brownies

By nurseliz

Ingredients

• Brownie Layer ~
• 1/2 c unsalted butter
• 2 (1-ounce squares) unsweetened chocolate
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 c sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2/3 cAP flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• optional: 3/4 cup peanut butter chips (or Reese’s pieces)
• Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Layer ~
• 1/4 c unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 c packed light brown sugar
• 2 Tbl milk
• 1/2 c creamy peanut butter
• 2/3 c AP flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• optional: 1/4c mini chocolate chips
• Ganache Layer ~
• 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup Reese’s Pieces or Peanut Butter Chips

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the Oven to 350°F. Mist the bottom and sides of an 8 by 8-inch pan with cooking oil, line the pan with a strip of parchment paper so that the parchment paper sticks up on opposite sides. (This makes the brownie pop-out of the pan easily and without breaking.) Then mist the parchment paper with oil, too.

Brownies: Microwave the butter and unsweetened chocolate in a glass bowl at high power for 30 seconds. Stir. Continue the intervals of heating on high for 30 seconds and stirring until the butter is melted (approx. 1 1/2 minutes), then stir until the chocolate is melted and combined. Add the vanilla. Set aside to cool.

Beat the sugar and eggs in a large bowl and add the semi-cooled chocolate mixture. Stir in the flour, baking powder, salt and peanut butter chips. Spread the brownie mixture into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the brownies comes out clean, about 22 to 28 minutes (mine baked for 25 minutes). Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 30 minutes.

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough: Mix the butter and brown sugar in a large bowl until creamy. Stir in the milk and peanut butter. Add the flour and salt and continue mixing until the ingredients are combined well and form a soft dough. optional: Add mini chocolate chips. Spread the peanut butter cookie dough on top of the cooled brownies.

Ganache: Microwave the dark choc and heavy whipping cream, uncovered, on high for 30 seconds. Stir. (Heat for an additional 15-30 seconds, if needed.) Stir until the chocolate is melted; the mixture should be smooth. Spread the ganache over the peanut butter layer and sprinkle with the Reese’s Pieces. Refrigerate for about 1 hour or until the dough and ganache are set. Cut into 16 squares when ready to serve. – These bars are best if kept chilled until ready to serve, but are delicious no matter what.