Amazing Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

Happy Belated Birthday Bobby!  Bobby delayed the birthday baking I was doing last year until this weekend.  He loves chocolate and peanut butter so what I made was based off of this recipe.

Equipment
Stand mixer
7-3/4 " x 12" pan

Brownie Layer
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chips or chopped
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
4 large eggs
1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup roasted salted peanuts, coarsely chopped

Peanut Butter Layer
1 cup peanut butter (not natural or old-fashioned)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Frosting
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup cocoa powder, sifted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons whole milk

Topping
1 package Peanut Butter Cups, cut into quarters



Directions

MAKING BROWNIE LAYER
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 9 X 9 inch baking pan with foil and butter the foil. Melt butter and chocolate in a double-boiler.  Stir until chocolate is melted.

Then beat in the sugar followed by the eggs, vanilla extract and kosher salt. Gradually add the flour and stir until combined. Then add the salted peanuts.

Spread the batter in the prepared pan.

Bake until tester inserted into center comes out with moist crumbs attached, about 25-30 minutes. Take care not over bake. Cool the brownies to room temperature.  While you are waiting for them to cool, make the other layers.


MAKING PEANUT BUTTER LAYER
Using an electric mixer, beat together the peanut butter and 1/4 cup softened unsalted butter in medium bowl. Then, beat in the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla. The mixture should be very spreadable. If, for some reason, it isn't, incorporate a little more milk.

MAKING THE CHOCOLATE FROSTING
To make the chocolate frosting, beat together all of the ingredients in a medium size bowl.

PEANUT BUTTER CUP DECORATION
Sprinkle the top of all this decadence with quartered Peanut Butter Cups. Cut into squares and serve.

ASSEMBLY
Spread the peanut butter mixture over the cooled brownies.  Place in refrigerator until chilled.  Spread the chocolate mixture over the peanut butter layer.  Sprinkle with quartered peanut butter cups.

STORAGE:
The brownies can be stored covered at room temperature for 24-36 hours. In fact, they were just as good, if not better, the next day.

Happy Birthday Bobby!