Decadent Peanut‑Butter Fudge Brownie Bars
Decadent Peanut-Butter Fudge Brownie Bars combine rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and luscious fudge to create a perfect balance of fudgy, chewy texture and indulgent flavor. These easy-to-make bars bring ultimate comfort and nostalgic taste to any occasion, with a gooey peanut butter fudge swirl baked right in. Perfect for dessert lovers craving a bakery-quality treat at home.
- Author: Lilly
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Brownie Batter
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/4 cups (250g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons (75g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Peanut Butter Fudge Swirl
- 1/2 cup (125g) creamy peanut butter (or chunky for texture)
- 1/4 cup (30g) powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (adjust for spreadable consistency)
- Prepare the Batter: Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and whisk in the cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated. Fold in the flour, baking powder, and salt gently to form a thick brownie batter.
- Create the Peanut Butter Fudge Swirl: In a separate bowl, mix the peanut butter with powdered sugar and milk to achieve a creamy, spreadable consistency perfect for swirling into the batter.
- Assemble the Bars: Pour half of the brownie batter into a greased baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of the peanut butter fudge mixture over the surface. Spread the remaining batter on top. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the peanut butter fudge through the batter for a marbled effect.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking to keep them fudgy.
- Cool and Slice: Let the bars cool completely in the pan to firm up. Once cooled, cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs for smoother batter mixing.
- Do not overmix the dry ingredients to prevent dense brownies.
- Choose high-quality or natural peanut butter for best flavor.
- Chill bars in the fridge for at least an hour before slicing for clean cuts.
- Experiment with toppings like flaky sea salt, chopped peanuts, or chocolate drizzle.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Keywords: peanut butter, fudge brownie bars, chocolate, dessert, easy baking, fudgy brownies, peanut butter swirl