Introduction

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies are the ultimate indulgent dessert, combining rich, fudgy chocolate brownies with creamy peanut butter cups in every bite. This crowd-pleasing treat delivers the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors, making it ideal for parties, bake sales, holidays, and anytime serious chocolate cravings strike.

What Are Peanut Butter Cup Brownies?

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies are chocolate brownies studded with peanut butter cups, either chopped and mixed into the batter, pressed into the brownies before baking, or layered between brownie batter. The heat of the oven softens the peanut butter cups, creating pockets of creamy peanut butter surrounded by rich chocolate.

They are a popular twist on classic brownies and consistently rank among the most searched brownie variations.

Why Peanut Butter Cup Brownies Are So Popular

Classic chocolate and peanut butter pairing
Ultra-fudgy, rich texture
Easy to make with boxed or homemade brownies

Perfect for gifting and sharing
Highly customizable

Chocolate-peanut butter desserts have enduring popularity, making this recipe evergreen for SEO and reader engagement.

Ingredients Overview

Brownie Base

Unsalted butter or oil
Granulated sugar and/or brown sugar
Eggs

Vanilla extract
All-purpose flour
Cocoa powder or melted chocolate

Salt

Peanut Butter Cups

Mini peanut butter cups (best for even distribution)
Regular peanut butter cups, chopped

Optional Add-Ins

Chocolate chips
Peanut butter chips
Espresso powder (to enhance chocolate flavor)

How to Make Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Line a baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it for easy removal.

Step 2: Make the Brownie Batter

Mix wet ingredients until smooth, then gently fold in dry ingredients just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep brownies fudgy.

Step 3: Add Peanut Butter Cups

Fold chopped peanut butter cups into the batter or sprinkle them evenly across the surface after spreading the batter into the pan.

Step 4: Bake

Bake until the edges are set and the center is slightly soft. A toothpick should come out with moist crumbs.

Step 5: Cool and Slice

Allow brownies to cool completely before slicing for clean edges.

Expert Tips for Perfect Brownies

Use room-temperature eggs for smooth batter

Do not overbake; slightly underbaked brownies stay fudgy
Use parchment paper for easy removal
Let brownies cool fully before cutting

Best Peanut Butter Cups to Use

Mini peanut butter cups: distribute evenly
Dark chocolate peanut butter cups: richer flavor
White chocolate peanut butter cups: sweeter contrast

Unwrap cups before baking to ensure quick assembly.

Delicious Variations

Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies

Swirl creamy peanut butter into the batter along with peanut butter cups.

Triple Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

Add chocolate chips and drizzle with chocolate ganache.

No-Bake Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

Use a brownie crust with a peanut butter filling and chocolate topping.

Gluten-Free Version

Use a gluten-free brownie mix or flour blend.

Keto or Low-Sugar Option

Use sugar substitutes and low-carb peanut butter cups.

Boxed Mix vs Homemade Brownies

Boxed Brownie Mix

Fast and consistent
Easy for beginners
Widely available

Homemade Brownies

Deeper chocolate flavor
Control over sweetness and texture
Ideal for premium desserts

Both methods work well for Peanut Butter Cup Brownies.

Make-Ahead, Storage, and Freezing

Make-Ahead

Bake up to 24 hours in advance for best texture.

Storage

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Freezing

Freeze brownies individually wrapped for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Serving Ideas

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream
Drizzle with melted chocolate or peanut butter

Dust with powdered sugar
Cut into bite-sized squares for dessert platters

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overbaking, resulting in dry brownies

Using too few peanut butter cups
Cutting brownies while hot
Overmixing the batter

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chunky peanut butter instead of cups?
Peanut butter cups provide better texture, but chunky peanut butter can be swirled in.

Do I need to refrigerate these brownies?
Not required, but refrigeration firms them up for clean slices.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes, use a larger pan and adjust baking time accordingly.

Nutrition Notes

These brownies are rich and indulgent. Smaller portions are recommended due to their dense texture and sweetness.

Why This Recipe Performs Well for SEO

High-volume dessert and brownie keywords
Strong evergreen appeal

Clear H2/H3 structure
Excellent internal linking opportunities

Conclusion

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that combines everything people love about brownies with the irresistible flavor of peanut butter cups. Rich, fudgy, and endlessly customizable, they’re perfect for celebrations, bake sales, or simply treating yourself. Once you try them, they’re sure to become a permanent favorite in your dessert rotation.

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

Author: WAFA LI

Print Recipe

Ingredients

For the brownie base:
• ½ cup (1 stick / 115g) unsalted butter
• 4 oz (115g) dark chocolate (60–70%), chopped
• ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (30g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (25g) cocoa powder
• ¼ tsp salt

For the swirl & topping:
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• 8–10 mini peanut butter cups (or 4 regular), chopped
• Optional: flaky sea salt for finishing

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8″ pan with parchment paper.

Brownie base: Melt butter and chocolate together (microwave or double boiler). Whisk in sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla. Fold in flour, cocoa, and salt until just combined.
Peanut butter layer: In a small bowl, gently warm peanut butter (10 sec in microwave) so it’s pourable but not hot.
Pour brownie batter into pan. Drizzle peanut butter over top. Use a knife or toothpick to swirl gently—don’t overmix!

Sprinkle chopped peanut butter cups evenly over surface.
Bake 25–30 min until edges are set and center is just firm (a few moist crumbs on a toothpick is perfect).
Cool completely in pan (they’ll firm up as they cool). Lift out using parchment; cut into squares.
💡 For extra decadence: Drizzle with melted chocolate or a pinch of flaky salt before serving.