Reese’s Peanut Butter Brownies

Nothing can satisfy a chocolate craving better than a brownie, and these Reese’s Peanut Butter Brownies, along with a tall glass of milk, can make your hunger disappear.  This recipe is inspired by a 1968 cookbook my mom recently passed on to me.  Looking at “vintage” cookbooks for inspiration has become a passion of mine.  There are so many recipes that we seem to have forgotten.  So, here is some good old fashioned brownies, with a little twist (Reese’s peanut butter cups) and some decadent icing on top.  

Note:  I make a small batch for my family (9×9 pan), but this recipe is easily doubled.  I even recently quadrupled it for my son’s football team.  

Ingredients:

• ½ cup melted butter
• ¼ cup of cocoa powder
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 4 Reese’s Peanut Butter cups (chopped into bite-size)

For the Icing:

• 2 Tablespoons softened butter
• 3 Tablespoons milk
• 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350-degrees.
2. Spray a 9×9 square cake pan with cooking spray.
3. In a mixing bowl, use an electric mixer and combine the ½ cup of melted butter and the ¼ cup of cocoa powder.
4. Sift the 1 cup of flour into the bowl and combine.
5. Add in the 1 cup of granulated sugar and combine. 
6. Then, mix in the 2 eggs and the 2 teaspoons of vanilla.
7. Do not over mix.  The batter will be thick. 
8. Using a spatula, fold in the 4 chopped Reese’s Cups (Hint: If they are chilled, they won’t break apart when you fold them in). 
9. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and then bake in the 350-degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until the center is firm.  The old-fashioned way to test this is to use a toothpick and poke it into the middle to see if it comes out clean.
10. While the brownies are baking, make the icing.
11. In a mixing bowl, mix the 2 Tablespoons softened butter, 3 Tablespoons milk, and 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder. 
12. Then mix in the 1 ½ cups of powdered sugar (½ cup at a time).
13. Have the icing ready before the brownies come out of the oven.  It is important that you put the icing on top of the brownies while the brownies are hot. 
14. Cool completely and then serve.

Enjoy!

Maurie Kay 

If you like this Reese’s Peanut Butter Brownie recipe, check out the one for my Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies!