Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

Some people don't like the combination of peanut butter and chocolate, but for the other 99% I've got a pretty awesome new way to eat it.



What appears to be a regular old delicious brownie...

...has a peanut butter cookie dough core! Like a giant, ridiculously good peanut butter cup, this treat has the best of both flavors and a fantastic texture.

Step 1. Whip up a batch of peanut butter cookie dough. I used this recipe and it was (in my opinion) the perfect texture and flavor for regular cookies and to use in this brownie. Refrigerate overnight.


Step 2. Prepare brownie batter (from scratch or Ghirardelli's Double Chocolate mix - it's so easy and makes brownies better than most).
Prepare muffin tin with cupcake liners, and divide brownie batter evenly among the twelve cups. Form 12 small balls of cookie dough and press into the center of each cup. You may have to spoon some batter over the top of the cookie to completely cover them.


Step 3. Bake in a 325 degree oven for about 25-30 minutes, until the top of the brownies are cracked and the batter is set (just like normal brownies).

Step 4. Make 11 new best friends. Of course, one's for you.

Obviously, the leftover dough has to turn into cookies!

Mind = blown

I'll admit that this isn't the first time I've attempted this recipe, but last time was before this little blog got started and I knew I had to recreate it for the masses. I don't know if you have this problem too, but I can never decide between cookies and brownies - and usually end up having one of each. But wouldn't it be even better if the two were allowed to mingle in the same pan?
This is probably in the top two recipes I've made in terms of sheer deliciousness, and it's even better when you underbake it and the center is gooey and fabulous. I'm going to warn you right now that it's extremely difficult not to eat the entire pan in one sitting.

I haven't come up with a good name for this seductively delicious combo that could possibly do it justice, so if you have an idea please share :)

Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies

1 box Ghirardelli double chocolate brownie mix (only the best!)
1/2 recipe of Good for Everything cookie dough 

Directions: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Prepare brownie mix according to directions on the box (add water, oil and egg). Prepare recipe of chocolate chip cookie dough. Pour half of the brownie mix in a square baking pan (sprayed with non-stick spray), spread cookie dough in a layer on top, then cover with the rest of the brownie batter. Bake for about 45 minutes or until the top brownie layer looks done - it takes a little bit longer than the normal brownie directions because there's more volume.

If this isn't food porn, I'm not sure what is...