Description
Deliciously rich and fudgy Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge Brownies that combine the creamy texture of peanut butter with the deep flavor of cocoa. These brownies are naturally sweetened with maple syrup or honey, can be made gluten-free, and offer an indulgent treat with minimal ingredients and easy preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil or butter
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup or honey
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 cup flour (oat, white, spelt, or almond for gluten-free)
Optional
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter, melted coconut oil or butter, pure maple syrup or honey, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is smooth and fully blended.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda until well combined and the batter looks uniform.
- Incorporate Flour and Chocolate Chips: Fold in your choice of flour (oat, white, spelt, or almond flour) to create a thick batter. If using, gently fold in the chocolate chips for added texture and flavor.
- Prepare for Baking: Spread the thick batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. For a beautiful marbled effect, you can swirl an extra spoonful of peanut butter on top of the batter.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes if you prefer super fudgy brownies, or up to 25 minutes for a firmer texture. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick; it should come out with moist crumbs but not raw batter.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before slicing. For clean, neat slices, chill the brownies first and wipe your knife between each cut to prevent sticking.
Notes
- Use almond or oat flour for a gluten-free version.
- Maple syrup or honey can be substituted as natural sweeteners according to preference.
- Swirling peanut butter on top creates a nice marbled look but is optional.
- Chilling the brownies before cutting helps achieve clean slices.
- Storage: Keep brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
