Do you ever find yourself trapped in Pinterest? It can happen and does to me quite often. I start pinning and then something catches my eye and while I’m there gawking, something shiny whizzes past the screen and before I know it, I’m drooling over things I never thought I’d eat in a million years.
Take these cheesecake brownies with peanut butter swirl, for instance. John doesn’t like chocolate and peanut butter together. It’s way too American for him. I don’t complain because I risk being asked to eat Vegemite and honestly, that stuff creeps me out. I don’t cook things with chocolate and peanut butter unless someone’s coming to help me eat it.
Until today. I saw brownies with a peanut butter swirl on Pinterest and immediately had to have some. I also saw some chocolate peanut butter brownies drizzled with caramel sauce but I thought that was just overkill.
John’s dad asked me what I was cooking up in the kitchen and to keep it simple I said, “Brownies.” He likes brownies but he would eat anything if it was sweet enough. As I was getting things out of the cabinets to start baking, John walked in and asked what I was making.
His father said, “Brownies but I’m sure we’ll have to wait until they’re photographed before we get one,” and he laughed.
Then I told John they were peanut butter swirled brownies and he wrinkled up his nose and walked back upstairs to his office. I was determined and I’ve got to say, I was right to follow my heart. These brownies are wonderful.
The recipe I saw was for ordinary brownies and then a batch of peanut butter cookies and you swirl the cookie batter through the brownies. That seemed like a lot of work, especially since I was probably going to eat these alone. Since I had cream cheese in the refrigerator, I decided I would make cheesecake chocolate and peanut butter brownies. In for a dollar, in for a dime. John doesn’t like cheesecake either.
Yes, they were this fudgy. Yes, I also undercooked mine because I wanted them this fudgy but you might want to cook them longer. I should have put them in the freezer before photographing but you get the idea that these are really good. If you are a cake brownie lover, you probably want to just wave and say hello because these ain’t it.
- 198 grams / 14 tbsp. / 1-3/4 stick unsalted butter
- 1 cup / 6 oz. bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 2 cups sugar
- 170 grams / 6 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 6 large eggs
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 cup plain flour
- 224 grams / 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
- ⅔ cup creamy peanut butter
- 90 grams / 6 tbsp. sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350° F.
- Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with baking paper.
- In a heatproof bowl over simmering water, add the butter and chocolate .
- Stir occasionally until the mixture is melted and smooth.
- Remove the bowl from the heat and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cocoa, salt, sugar, eggs and cream cheese until smooth and well combined.
- Stir in the chocolate and butter mixture and vanilla.
- Add the flour and stir until incorporated.
- Pour half the brownie batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, add the cream cheese, peanut butter and sugar and beat on medium-high speed until smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla and mix until incorporated, scraping down the bowl as needed.
- Drop spoonsful of the peanut butter mixture over the brownie batter in the pan and cover with remaining chocolate batter.
- Using a knife, gently swirl together the peanut butter mixture and brownie batter. Bake 30-35 minutes, until the center is just set for fudgy brownies.
- Transfer to a wire rack and let cool to room temperature.
- When cool, cover and refrigerate until chilled for ease of slicing and serving.
Are you a chocolate and peanut butter lover? What’s your favorite way to put them together?
I am obsessed with chocolate and peanut butter these days. OBSESSED. And now, I’ve gotta make peanut butter swirled brownies today, which means I won’t have time to clean the bathrooms. Thanks, Maureen.
{I’m not kidding; thanks.}
Major Yuuuum, Maureen! I would be all over this one. And Julian, my husband Americano …might even cry out of joy! 🙂 ela
Those brownies would win my heart every time!
We think alike 🙂
PB & Chocolate is a wonderful combo! And this looks great — love that swirl! And that freeze-before-photograph idea is brilliant! I’ve never thought of that, and will so be doing it!
I don’t think I have had the right kind of peanut butter and chocolate combo. I don’t like it that much. But I do like fudgy brownies. I think they are piece of heaven.
It’s okay, some people like the combination and some people like my husband and most Australians could happily live without it.
Awesome rippled brownies! I am drooling over the sliced ones; I doubt if I will be able to stop at one slice 😉
I’m not admitting how many I ate already 🙂
Pure goodness!! Chocolate and peanut butter, best combination ever! 🙂 They look delicious Maureen!
I hope you had a great Valentine’s Day!! 😉
Michael
http://michaelswoodcraft.wordpress.com/mywork-2/cutting-boards-and-serving-boards/double-handle-cutting-board/
For us, Valentine’s Day is like any other day. 🙂
I ((love)) Peanut Butter and Chocolate together!! I really need to make these soon! =)
Pinned to my Dessert Board ( yup…I’m a Pinterest fan too! )
Since chocolate and peanut butter combination isn’t popular here, I have to create my own. 🙂
This looks stunning!
I’ve never been a big fan of peanut butter and chocolate in baking though Reese’s Peanut Butter cups are a rare indulgence. These rich brownies look delicious.
I’m curious who got to help you finish the rest of the plate. 🙂
I gave a plateful away and froze the rest. There’s no more room in my pants for extra brownies. 🙂
I know what you mean. Everyone has been posting the most delicious desserts lately. I redid my lava cake for a special dinner today. It lived up to its name this time but I have one more in the fridge to bake off and plans to make another dessert to go with tomorrow’s dinner.
Oh well, maybe shovelling today’s snow will help burn off some of the calories.
As I recall, shoveling snow burns a million calories a minute. (or maybe it just feels like that)
At the risk of hurting your peanut butter feelings, I will have to side with John… I just cannot quite “get” it. As to Vegemite, I know it’s creepy, but it is salty and I like that… Sorry, Maureen…. can you ever forgive me? 😉
now, Phil doesn’t touch cheesecake, so it’s something I’ve never made because it’s not fun if he won’t touch it. Plus, it seems to me cheesecake is a lot of work and then it cracks the surface, and there are tears and profanity and all that. I rather skip it
But fudgy brownies, without the PB, I love them!
You are testimony that choc/pb is a rather American thing. John says every Australian kid was raised eating Vegemite and that’s why everyone loves it. I can’t get it past my lips.
Oooh, these are to die for! Love that you went all out with the cream cheese too – more for you, John won’t know what he’s missing 🙂 I love that my family members are also totally used to waiting for a picture to be taken before eating something 🙂
When I went to dinner with Liz from Bizzy Lizzy’s Good Things the other night, her partner was used to waiting too. 🙂
Oh I get lost on rabbit trails when I go to Pinterest! These look fabulous Maureen, it shouldn’t be a problem that John doesn’t like peanut butter or cheesecake, I’m sure you will find plenty of delighted mouths to share this with.
Oh Dahn, sometimes it’s only my mouth that does all the work. 🙂
Wow, they look amazing. I think I’d be thrilled out of my mind if my husband didn’t like something like this, he loves all sweets, no exceptions. Of course, after I ate a bunch, then I’d wish he would have eaten some too. Misery loves company……
I know just how you feel. I HATE it when I’ve eaten too many and he hasn’t and he’s all righteous.
I knew I shouldn’t have clicked on this! Oh man. Oh man. OH MAN! These are going straight to my hips and then I’ll start Weight Watchers!
I say that same thing! It’s always tomorrow 🙂
Totally swooning, Maureen… how absolutely delicious!
These look amazing, soo totally delicious. GG
Four words: Temptation On A Plate.
at the moment it’s temptation in the fridge 🙂
Chocolate and Peanut Butter is an American thing? I had no idea. That combination is my hubby’s favorite. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing though, since we always seem to have something chocolate and peanut butter around the house and I always want to eat some!
I found a Reese’s peanut butter cup at Aldi one day but that’s it. 🙂 None of those in the grocery stores, no Butterfingers either.
G’day! I LOVE the chocolate peanut butter combination Maureen, true!
Your recipes, stories always remind me of my childhood and make me American nostalgic too!
Re Pinterest…happened to me JUST yesterday!
My eyes were glazed, my mind blank in staring at all the wonderful links and pins etc…I was like a Pinterest zombie on overdrive and had to literally wake myself up and off Pinterest! lol
Cheers! Joanne
P.S. Wish I could come through the screen and try one or two of your brownies right NOW!
Did you ever have fork problems?
IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT IS HOLY YES.
Cheesecake and peanut butter are my can’t-resist-best-ever treats.
I’m so glad you agree 🙂 LOL
Your father-in-law is a very lucky man and John is plain dopey for not liking cheesecake. Peanut butter I can take or leave but in brownies, I would take thank you very much. They look so fudgy that I am drooling. Pinterest is somewhere I have to try to stay away from – too dangerous.
I get an amazing number of visitors from Pinterest so I love it. I use a timer. 🙂
Yes – my name is Tricia and I ADORE chocolate and peanut butter – any way I can get it! I was the girl who took a perfectly fine Hershey bar and dipped it in the peanut butter jar. The minute I saw these brownies I almost gasped! Yum – they look and sound amazing! I am drooling now!
you think we need a CBA ? Chocolate/Peanut butter Anonymous? My name is Maureen and I’ve been addicted for a long time.
LOL at your reaction to Vegemite. I still don’t love the stuff although I will eat it. I’m a much bigger peanut butter lover. Love these-off to pin now! 😀
I don’t think Vegemite will ever be my friend
They looks amazing, I can not wait to make these brownies and eat them–I might share few–. Thank you
I shared some today!
I am weird. Love chocolate. Love peanut butter. But not together. But these look good, so would give them a try.
John is the same. He likes chocolate and he likes peanut butter but not in the same mouthful.
I am in love. Again. Pinning 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Smooch!
No doubt a very good recipe if sir, is really very delicious.
Thank you!
This looks fantastic, I can taste them already! I made a Reese’s PB Cake a year ago and it was so good I had to give it to my grandson for the dorm guys, otherwise I would have ate the whole cake. I understand completely about getting trapped on Pinterest, it is a dangerous place.
I gave half of them away. I can’t be trusted.
I’m a fudgy brownie lover. And a chocolate and peanut butter lover. And I’m really in love with how these look!
These look just amazing. But I would cook them slightly longer. Still – wonderful idea!
I ate one again today and I liked them just like this. Call me silly. 🙂
Hey brownies buddy! 😀 I really, really shouldn’t make another batch of brownies but these are oh so tempting and I do have some left over cream cheese just waiting for a recipe like this to come along..
Good for you sticking to your guns on this one. 🙂 They look AMAZING!! 🙂
My friend Teddy from Switzerland won’t eat peanut butter; he almost gave me a heart attack when I made hummus and didn’t have tahini so used PB instead – he took one bite and I thought he might be allergic!
PB and chocolate are such a great combo and your recipe sounds wonderfully rich and creamy. I’d under bake it too for that same decadence!
Maureen, I know exactly what you mean about pintrest and just pinned your recipe. Sometimes I just start to wander and then find new creative foodie bloggers and many new recipes I want to try. I am certain I want to try this recipe as I love my brownies a little bit fudgy too. However, just to verify, VEGIEMITE is not food! It creeps me out too!
Hey Maureen, This post is looking so good and Amazing! A very well made post with beautiful pictures. I’ve bookmarked this special recipe of yours and would love to give it a shot soon. Thanks for sharing your well prepared and presented recipes. Shall look forward to your next post.
Have a wonderful week ahead. Take care.
Thanks & Regards, Sonia!!!
Oh wow – chocolate, peanut butter and cheesecake all in one – be still my heart!
Maureen, these look amazing! Thanks for sharing this one – what an awesome idea to add the cream cheese!
Lord, mercy!!! You are making me crave brownies for breakfast, Maureen. This looks superb and I am so pinning it!!!
breakfast? I’m in!!
You kno what Maureen, one thing that i hate once i read your posting….
i really want to eat sweet bites like this even more, even i’m on low calories diet right now!!!
guess what, i’m falling to copycat your recipe all over
ps: i’m making this but using hazelnut butter swirl, but i’m using non calories sweetener!!!
Ooohh, I hope you blog them!
Looks like we both had specialty brownies on the brain. Great minds…
yes, great minds. 🙂 smooch
You had me drooling the moment I laid eyes on the photo. These sound sinful and I’m sure with the peanut butter in them they wouldn’t last a day in my house. I know that sounds awful, but I’m confident they’d disappear quickly. Great recipe. Definitely saving this one!
Dear Maureen, These look real good. I like fudgy brownies too.
Did the men like them? You didn’t mention. I bet they did though.
I don’t know exactly how one would be able to resist!
Blessings dear. Catherine xo
John and his father don’t eat chocolate and peanut butter together. My friend Robin Bristow, the guy with the funnels, came by and he took a bunch home. 🙂
Oh I get trapped in the Pinterest vortex all the time…the only thing worse are those huge online shoe outlets…I can be surfing for hours! This looks amazing!
The pinterest vortex.. I love it!
Good for you sticking to your guns on this one! They look and sound absolutely amazing. 🙂
What a great combination, fudgy brownies are the best.
My littlej just loves peanut butter and chocolate together, I’m sure she would heartily approve!
These brownies contain pretty much everything I like in a dessert, hehe.
Maureen, on the side of your blog, there is a big ad that says, “Five veggies that will kill stomach fat.” I’ll be tempted to eat your entire dessert in one sitting, in which case I’ll have to then try those veggies that will kill my stomach fat! (Hmm, the ad now seems to have disappeared, maybe someone knew I was posting this comment on your blog)!
LOL my spam filter seems to catch people in the weirdest situations. One comment is fine and the next it’s put in the box. Sorry! I think it’s funny that the Google ad was about stomach fat. 🙂
These look wonderful, Maureen. I’d never had anything with peanut butter other than toast until my mother went to the USA and came back with a few recipes combining peanut butter with anything and everything. In our little neighbourhood, we felt that we were enlightened! Your brownies look amazing xx
Leave it to those pesky Americans to lead your mother astray. 🙂
What’s not to love about these brownies. You have put two of my favorite ingredients together and made them dance. LOVE it!
I love that dance!
These are basically my ideal dessert!!
I am definitely a chocolate and peanut butter lover and those brownies most likely will not make it to the freezer.
We think a lot alike, Norma!
Oh yes please to cheesecake and peanut butter in the same brownie, I will dream of these! 😉
Sweet dreams, chicky 🙂
My ohhh my look at that decadent chocolatey and peanut buttery creation
Did you say Peanut Butter? I need to make these for my husband. Great pictures Maureen.
Sweet Mother of Pearl these are “it” for me. I will gladly take John’s portions.
LOL ‘sweet mother of pearl’
WOW!
I need a brownie change, I keep making the Choc and Dulce del Leche combination, these look awesome! Did hubby come around and at leaste try some??
Yummy you had me at peanut butter! I adore almost anything with peanut butter in it, I sure would have polished off half a tin for you 🙂 I under-bake mine too I love them fudgy.
http://www.smells-like-home.com/2014/02/peanut-butter-cheesecake-swirl-brownies/
Ah, so amazing! I wouldn’t have been able to wait for you to take pictures either!
Oh man, these look so rich and delicious! I have to mark these down 🙂
Oh yes, of course they needed to be photographed so that you can share it with us! 😉 Looks fudgy and yummy…!
These look absolutely yummy! I can’t wait to try them, although I think it would take me most of 15 minutes just to gather the ingredients and cookware. Three questions:
1. There seems to be a step missing. What happens to the bowl of chocolate and butter that was set aside in Step 5?
2. Can semi-sweet chocolate chips be used instead of chopping up a solid chunk of chocolate?
3. I happen to have two 8 0z. packages of cream cheese on hand. Will adding the other two ounces cause a problem?
I got ahead of myself! I edited the recipe. Add the chocolate with the vanilla. The extra cream cheese will be wonderful. Never waste cream cheese. 🙂
These brownies look fantastic!!
I looooooove PB and I’m saving this recipe
Thanks!