Fudgy Brownies with a Peanut Butter Center

Ingredients

Tick the ingredients as you go

Brownies

• 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) salted butter
• 8 oz (228g) good-quality semi-sweet chocolate, roughly chopped
• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (50g) packed light brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp (79g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 2 Tbsp (10g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Peanut butter filling

• 3/4 cup (185g) creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup (120g) confectioners' sugar
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 Tbsp (30ml) milk
• 2 Tbsp each chocolate chips and peanut butter chips (for the top)

Instructions

1. 1

   In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and chopped chocolate together, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes. (You can also microwave them in 20-second bursts, stirring after each.) Scrape into a large bowl and let cool for 10 minutes.

   
2. 2

   Meanwhile, make the filling: beat the peanut butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla and milk on medium-high until combined. It will be very stiff and crumbly, almost like cookie dough. Set it aside.

3. 3

   Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and heat to 350°F (177°C). Line the pan with foil so it overhangs on all sides.

4. 4

   Whisk both sugars into the cooled chocolate. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking until smooth after each, then whisk in the vanilla. Gently fold in the flour, cocoa powder and salt.

6. 5

   Spread half the batter in the pan. Pat pieces of the peanut butter filling flat between your palms and lay them over the batter in an even layer. Cover with the rest of the batter, then sprinkle the chocolate and peanut butter chips on top and press them in lightly with a spatula.

   
7. 6

   Bake for 35-36 minutes, until the edges begin to pull away from the pan and a toothpick in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. A crack across the middle is normal. Since ovens differ, start checking at 30 minutes.

8. 7

   Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Lift them out with the foil and cut into squares with a sharp knife, wiping the blade clean between cuts.