Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Bars

By CruelK8E

Ingredients

• Brownies:
• 1 1/4 cups of butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 3/4 cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 cup lightly salted peanuts
• Peanut Butter Layer:
• 1 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 3 Tablespoons milk
• Ganache:
• 2 cups dark chocolate pieces
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Details

Servings 12
Adapted from heatherchristo.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Prepare an 8×8” pan with tin foil (two sheets creating an x with a 2 inch overlap of foil) and then spray the foil with cooking spray.

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter until no longer foaming and the butter has browned, about 5 minutes.

While you are waiting for the butter to brown, combine the sugar, cocoa, water, vanilla and salt in the bowl of a mixer.

Add the hot butter and scrape all of the browned bits into the bowl of the mixer and then whip to combine.

With the mixer on medium, add the eggs one at a time.

Then add the flour to combine.

Add the peanuts and briefly mix in.

Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth with a dampened spatula.

Bake 25 minutes and remove from oven. Let cool.

When they have cooled enough to handle the pan, place it in the freezer at least 20 minutes.

Peanut Butter Layer:

Whip together with a mixer until creamy.

Spread the peanut butter mixture evenly over the brownies. Dampen the spatula to get a smooth finish.

When there is an even layer of peanut butter, put it back in the freezer, at least 20 minutes.

Ganache:

In a small sauce pan, heat the milk and vanilla until almost boiling.

Meanwhile, place the chocolate pieces in a medium heatproof bowl.

Dump the hot milk over the chocolate and leave for about 5 minutes.

When you have let the chocolate and milk sit and they look melted, whisk vigorously with a metal whisk until thick and glossy.

Spread the ganache evenly over the peanut butter layer. Place in the freezer for about an hour.

Pull the brownies out of the pan (by the foil overlaps). Place the block of frozen brownies on a cutting board. Trim the edged and then slice with a sharp knife into bars.

Serve and enjoy!