Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Brownies

There aren't many combinations that go together as perfectly as peanut butter and chocolate; at least in my eyes. There are great combinations out there; peaches and cream, pumpkin and spice, salty and sweet...the list is goes on but nothing is quite as divine as peanut butter and chocolate.

Halloween is coming up which makes me want to eat 600 reese cups and carve pumpkins. Reese's might be my favorite candy (along with whatchamacallits, snickers and peanut m&ms...oh yeah and cherry twizzler bites). Okay so I have lots of favorite candies but reeses are a classic...I even made a reese cupcake back when that was AWESOME!

This brownie is a delightful combination of chocolate and peanut butter. I had actually made these a few months ago and just found the post draft hidden away. How could I forget to post this!? It's too amazing not to share! I made these for Shawns family for letting us use their car to drive up and visit my family in Minnesota. That meant the WORLD to me so I wanted to make them something super duper delicious. These are just that!

Heads up: refrigerate them, they'll be less messy! The origional recipe called for chopped salted peanuts on top which I'm sure would taste fabulous but I didn't have any :( boo...

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Brownies
From foodnetwork.com

Ingredients:

Brownie Layer:
Nonstick cooking spray
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 (1-ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chunks

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Layer:
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt

Ganache Layer:
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions:

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray the bottom and sides of an 8 by 8-inch pan with cooking spray.

For the brownies, microwave the butter and unsweetened chocolate in a microwavable bowl at high power until the butter is melted, about 2 minutes. Stir until combined, then mix in the vanilla extract. Meanwhile, beat the sugar and eggs in a large bowl and add in the chocolate mixture. Stir in the flour, baking powder, salt and chocolate chunks. Spread the brownie mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Bake until the brownies are set and a toothpick inserted in the center of the brownies comes out clean, about 22 to 28 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 30 minutes.

For the peanut butter cookie dough: Add the butter and brown sugar to a large bowl and mix until creamy. Mix in the milk and the peanut butter, then stir in the flour and salt. Spread the peanut butter cookie dough evenly over the cooled brownies.

To make the ganache: In a small microwavable bowl, microwave the dark chocolate chips and heavy whipping cream, uncovered, on high for 1 minute, stirring after 30 seconds. Continue stirring until the chips are melted and the mixture is smooth. Spread the ganache over the peanut butter layer. Refrigerate until the dough and ganache are set, about 1 hour. Cut into 16 squares and arrange on a serving platter to serve.

SIDENOTE: I just finally finished reading "Wicked" just in time for Halloween. I LOVED it! I'm just really bummed I couldn't see it when they were on broadway here in Columbus :(...Up next: "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"