Peanut Butter Brownies with a Fudgy Middle

For Peanut Butter Brownies with a Fudgy Middle, the counter starts with unsalted butter melted and cooled slightly, granulated sugar, and whole eggs well beaten. Portion it for 24 brownies.

Count on 15 minutes of prep, 25 minutes of cooking, 15 minutes of resting, about 55 minutes from the first measurement to the plate.

Ingredients Method

What goes in the bowl

• 1 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled slightly
• 2 ¼ cups granulated sugar
• 4 whole eggs well beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon coffee extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup cocoa powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
• ¾ cup smooth peanut butter

How the cooking goes

1. Warm the oven to 350°F (conventional, no fan). Spray a 9×13 inch pan and line with baking paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
2. Melt butter in a large heatproof bowl. Keep it to one side to cool slightly while you measure the remaining ingredients.
3. Put sugar to the bowl and whisk vigorously until the texture looks smooth. Whisk in the well-beaten eggs and extracts, beating very well until the mixture is smooth and slightly loosened.
4. Add flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Whisk until no lumps remain. Sift the cocoa powder first if it is lumpy.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Dot peanut butter in random spots across the surface, then drag a thin offset spatula, knife, or wooden skewer through it in swirling motions to ribbon it through the batter. Work quickly before the surface begins to set.
6. Bake 22 to 25 minutes, until the center puffs slightly and jiggles like Jello when the pan is gently shaken. Cool completely in the pan.
7. For clean slices, cool to ambient temperature, wrap the pan, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Slice with a large, sharp chef’s knife.

After it comes off the heat

Let the pan settle before you slice, so the crumb stays together. Cover leftovers once they are cool.

If you want another plate from Brownies and bars, open Soft Chewy Smores Crumble Bars for the Dessert Plate and Carmelitas for the Dessert Plate.