Name a more iconic, more beloved, more utterly perfect flavor combination than chocolate and peanut butter. I’ll wait. It’s the undisputed champion of salty-sweet, the ultimate comfort duo. And today, we are celebrating this perfect pairing in what I believe is its highest form: these incredible, decadent, and beautiful Peanut Butter Brownies.
This is not just a brownie with a few peanut butter chips tossed in. This is a true fusion of dessert titans. We start with my favorite rich, dark, and impossibly fudgy brownie base. Then, we swirl in a thick, creamy, and slightly salty peanut butter cheesecake filling. The result is a stunning marbled brownie that is a masterpiece of flavor and texture in every single bite.
If you are a fan of chocolate and peanut butter, prepare to meet your new favorite dessert. This surprisingly simple recipe creates a show-stopping treat that is perfect for any occasion that calls for a little bit of pure, unapologetic indulgence.
The Ultimate Salty-Sweet Dream Team
This recipe is my love letter to the chocolate and peanut butter combination. I wanted to create a dessert that celebrated the best of both. The deep, dark, slightly bitter notes of the chocolate brownie are the perfect foundation for the rich, creamy, and salty-sweet peanut butter swirl. It’s a flavor match made in heaven.
By creating a peanut butter filling with a cream cheese base, we’re doing more than just adding flavor—we’re creating an incredible texture. It gives the brownies a wonderful, velvety, cheesecake-like ribbon that cuts through the richness of the chocolate. The beautiful swirl makes them look like they came from a fancy bakery, but it’s created with just a few simple passes of a knife. It’s the perfect impressive-yet-easy bake for a cozy autumn weekend here in Cologne.
Why These Brownies are Absolutely Irresistible:
- The Perfect Salty-Sweet Combination: It’s the classic flavor pairing you love, elevated to a whole new level of deliciousness.
- Fudgy Brownie + Creamy Swirl = Incredible Texture: The contrast between the dense, fudgy brownie and the smooth, velvety peanut butter swirl is a textural dream come true.
- A Stunning Marbled Showstopper: The beautiful swirl effect makes these brownies a true centerpiece on any dessert table.
- Easy to Make, Hard to Resist: With two simple batters and a fun swirling technique, this impressive dessert is surprisingly easy to pull off.
Ingredients & Equipment
For the Fudgy Brownie Batter:
- Unsalted Butter: 115g (½ cup), melted.
- Granulated Sugar: 200g (1 cup).
- Eggs: 2 large, at room temperature.
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (Backkakao): 45g (½ cup), sifted.
- All-Purpose Flour: 60g (½ cup).
- Salt: ¼ teaspoon.
For the Peanut Butter Swirl:
- Full-Fat Block Cream Cheese (Frischkäse): 115g (4 oz), at room temperature.
- Creamy Peanut Butter (Erdnussbutter): 120g (½ cup). Use a standard commercial brand, not natural.
- Powdered Sugar (Puderzucker): 50g (½ cup), sifted.
- Egg Yolk: 1 large, at room temperature.
- Vanilla Extract: ½ teaspoon.
- Optional Topping: Flaky sea salt, chopped peanuts, or mini peanut butter cups.
Helpful Equipment:
- An 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) square baking pan.
- An electric hand mixer (or a stand mixer) for the peanut butter swirl.
- A large mixing bowl.
Time Estimates
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Bake Time: 30-35 minutes
- Chilling Time: At least 2 hours (for setting)
- Total Time: Approximately 3 hours (mostly inactive cooling and chilling time)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Let’s get this decadent dessert party started!
Step 1: Prepare Oven and Pan Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to use as handles.
Step 2: Make the Fudgy Brownie Batter In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Sift in the cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Use a rubber spatula to fold the dry ingredients in until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 3: Make the Peanut Butter Swirl In a separate medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the room temperature cream cheese and creamy peanut butter together until smooth and well combined. Add the sifted powdered sugar and beat on low speed until incorporated, then increase to medium and beat until smooth. Finally, beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until just combined.
Step 4: Assemble and Swirl Pour about ⅔ of the brownie batter into the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer. Drop large spoonfuls of the peanut butter mixture evenly over the brownie batter. Drop the remaining ⅓ of the brownie batter in small spoonfuls over the peanut butter layer. Take a butter knife or a skewer and gently drag it through the batters in a few figure-8 or “S” motions to create a beautiful marbled effect. Do not over-swirl! Less is more.
Step 5: Bake If you like, sprinkle the top with flaky sea salt or chopped peanuts now. Bake for 30-35 minutes. The edges should be set, and the center should be almost set (a toothpick inserted into the brownie-only part should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter).
Step 6: Cool and Chill Completely This step is essential! Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Then, cover the pan and transfer it to the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours. This allows the peanut butter swirl to set firmly, which is key for getting clean, beautiful slices.
Step 7: Slice and Serve Once fully chilled, use the parchment handles to lift the brownies from the pan. Slice into 16 squares and serve.
Notes, Tips & Variations
- The Right Peanut Butter: For the creamiest, smoothest swirl, it’s best to use a standard commercial creamy peanut butter (like Skippy or a similar store brand). Natural-style peanut butters can be oily and may separate, resulting in a greasy texture.
- Room Temperature is Key!: For a perfectly smooth, lump-free peanut butter swirl, your cream cheese and egg yolk must be at room temperature before you start mixing.
- Don’t Over-Swirl: To get that beautiful, distinct marbled look, be careful not to overmix the batters in the pan. Just a few gentle passes with a knife is all you need.
- Extra Indulgence: For the ultimate treat, press a few mini peanut butter cups into the top of the batter before baking, or drizzle the cooled brownies with melted chocolate.
The Ultimate Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies Recipe
Ingredients
- Brownie Batter:
- 115 g ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 200 g 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temp
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 45 g ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
- 60 g ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- Peanut Butter Swirl:
- 115 g 4 oz full-fat cream cheese, room temperature
- 120 g ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 50 g ½ cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 large egg yolk room temp
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Line an 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper with an overhang.
- Make Brownie Batter: In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and sugar. Whisk in eggs and vanilla. Fold in cocoa powder, flour, and salt until just combined.
- Make Swirl Batter: In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the room temperature cream cheese and peanut butter until smooth. Beat in powdered sugar, then the egg yolk and vanilla.
- Assemble: Pour ⅔ of the brownie batter into the pan. Drop spoonfuls of the peanut butter batter on top. Drop the remaining brownie batter over the peanut butter.
- Swirl & Bake: Use a knife to gently swirl the batters together. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the center is almost set.
- COOL & CHILL: Let the brownies cool completely at room temperature. Then, refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the swirl to set.
- Serve: Lift the brownies from the pan, slice into squares, and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Using room temperature ingredients for the swirl is essential for a smooth, lump-free texture.
- Chilling the brownies is a mandatory step for clean, neat slices.
- Sprinkle with flaky sea salt before baking for an extra salty-sweet kick.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What kind of peanut butter is best for these brownies? For the creamiest and most stable swirl, I highly recommend using a standard commercial creamy peanut butter (like Jif, Skippy, or a supermarket equivalent). Natural peanut butters, where the oil separates, can sometimes make the swirl greasy or cause it to split. Save the natural stuff for your toast!
2. How do I get that perfect marbled swirl on top? The secret is to not overthink it and not to over-swirl! After you’ve dolloped both batters into the pan, take a simple butter knife and make a few gentle S-shaped or figure-8 passes through the batters. Two or three passes in each direction is usually enough to create a beautiful design without muddling the colors.
3. Can I make these without the cream cheese in the swirl? You can, but the texture will be different. For a swirl without cream cheese, you can mix ¾ cup of peanut butter with ¼ cup of powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons of melted butter to create a thicker, more “fudge-like” peanut butter mixture. It won’t have the same tangy, creamy lightness, but it will still be delicious.
4. How should I store these peanut butter brownies? Because of the cream cheese in the swirl, these brownies should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They are fantastic served chilled, as the brownie becomes even fudgier and the peanut butter swirl has a firm, cheesecake-like texture. They will last for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Ready for the Ultimate Treat?
This is truly a dessert for the chocolate and peanut butter lovers in your life. It’s rich, decadent, and so satisfying. I hope this recipe brings a little bit of joy and a lot of deliciousness to your kitchen. If you make them, please come back and leave a comment and a star rating below!
For more decadent dessert ideas, be sure to follow me on Pinterest and Instagram. Now, go pour yourself a tall glass of cold milk—you’re going to need it! And try my Red Velvet Brownies.