Peanut Butter Crunch Brownies
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Easy homemade brownies, peanut butter ganache frosting, and a chocolate crunch layer – these peanut butter crunch brownies are a quick and easy freezer-friendly party treat!
December! How is this even possible? Most importantly – how are we only 9 days out from our annual holiday bash? I’m feeling extra unprepared this year (perhaps I can blame the tiny tot for this?).
I have some serious work to do this weekend nailing down all the food and starting to fill the freezer with appetizers and desserts!
You guys know I love complicated, time-consuming desserts. Three layer cakes filled with blueberry curd. Chocolate hazelnut cake smothered in hazelnut buttercream. Gluten free tarts with crust made from three kinds of ground nuts. Certainly not me right now with our party coming up!
This week, I’ve been sharing some fast, easy, fuss-free desserts with you guys. Need a quick treat to bring to a holiday party or include in a teacher holiday bag? Want to have something in your cookie jar to offer all the unexpected guests? Feeling the squeeze of a looming holiday party and 60+ people showing up at your door (yikes – wish me luck!)?
Cereal treats are perfect for this. No complicated ingredients (in fact, you may very well already have everything you need at home!).
Think the only thing you can do with Rice Krispies are Rice Krispie treats? Think again. These Peanut Butter Crunch Brownies are just a little more effort than regular brownies, but have an unexpected crunch. You know how much I love texture in my food – all about that crunch!
First things first, a layer of easy homemade brownies. We’ll top the brownies with a layer of whipped peanut butter ganache frosting. Yes, you read that right. Peanut butter ganache frosting.
The first time I learned you can make peanut butter ganache, my world was flipped upside down. Combine that with the amazingness that is ganache frosting — literally, ganache that is whipped until fluffy — and you have peanut butter ganache frosting. No further explanation necessary.
And then, on top, a layer of Rice Krispies (or Cocoa Krispies!) mixed into melted chocolate and peanut butter, creating a delightfully crunchy topping. Rice Krispies are the perfect size to deliver just the right amount of crunch, and don’t get soggy like so many other cereals.
Three layers – rich, fudgy brownie, smooth fluffy peanut butter frosting, and crispy, crunchy chocolate and peanut butter. Delicious!
Perhaps the best part about these peanut butter crunch brownies? They’re freezer friendly!
(Okay, that’s a lie. The BEST part about these peanut butter crunch brownies is eating them. Obviously.)
But the freezer friendly aspect is pretty great for holiday party prep, or cookie exchanges, or teacher treats. Bake up a batch, slice them into squares, and store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. This batch is tucked away in my freezer, waiting for our party guests to arrive next weekend!
Kellogg’s Rice Krispies, Cocoa Krispies, and the limited edition red and green Rice Krispies can be found at your local Target, in the cereal aisle. If you’re going the Rice Krispie Treat route and you swing by Target this weekend, you can even get Jet puffed marshmallows free when you buy 2 boxes of Rice Krispies or Cocoa Krispies (through 12/3). (Or use the Rice Krispies for these, and the marshmallows for some Small Batch S’mores Brownies. Just saying.)
Whatever cereal treat you wind up making, don’t forget to share it on social media with the tag #Treats4Tots – for each treat shared, Rice Krispies will donate a toy to a child in need through Toys for Tots through January 1st. Need another recipe idea for the rest of your box of Rice Krispie treats? Check out some of these delicious ideas!
Peanut Butter Crunch Brownies
Easy homemade brownies, peanut butter ganache frosting, and a chocolate crunch layer – these peanut butter crunch brownies are a quick and easy freezer-friendly party treat!
Ingredients:
For the brownies:
- 3/4 cup butter, melted
- 1.5 cups sugar
- 3 eggs
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups flour
- 1 cup chocolate chips
For the peanut butter ganache frosting:
- 2 cups peanut butter chips
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
For the chocolate crunch:
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 2 cups Kellogg’s Rice Krispies or Cocoa Krispies
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F. Lightly grease a 9″ square springform pan, or line a 9″ square baking dish with aluminum foil, extending the foil over the edges to form handles, and grease the foil.
- Combine the melted butter and sugar together in a small bowl, until smooth and shiny. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and vanilla. Whisk by hand for about 5 minutes, until well combined. Add the melted butter/sugar mixture to the egg/cocoa mixture, stirring until smooth. Add in the flour and chocolate chips, stirring just until the flour is incorporated.
- Pour the brownie mixture into the prepared pan. Bake for 20-22 minutes, until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool completely.
- To make the whipped peanut butter ganache frosting, combine the peanut butter chips and heavy cream in a small, microwave safe bowl. Heat at 1 minute increments at 50% power, stirring frequently, until the peanut butter chips are melted and the mixture is smooth. Cool for 5 minuetes, then transfer the contents to bowl of a mixer and whip with the whisk attaachment for 5 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add 1/2 cup powdered sugar and continue to whip until combined.
- To make the chocolate crunch layer, melt the 2 cups of chocolate chips in a large, microwave safe bowl. Heat for 1 minute at 50% power, stir the chocolate, and repeat until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Stir in the peanut butter. Add in the Rice Krispies and gently fold them into the melted chocolate until fully coated.
- Cover the brownies with the peanut butter ganache frosting, using a knife to fully spread the frosting to the edge of the pan. Top with the chocolate crunch layer, smoothing the top with the back of a spoon.
- Refrigerate the peanut butter crunch bars for 2 hours, until firm and set. Open the springform pan or lift the brownies out by the aluminum foil. Cut into 20 bars and enjoy.
Peanut butter crunch brownies will keep in the freezer, stored in an airtight container, for up to 3 months.
A Bunsen Burner Bakery Original Protocol
My husband looooves chocolate and peanut butter combos, and I’ve saved so many of your amazing creations in hope of surprising him someday. But this one looks so easy (and delicious), it might actually get made right away! Just wanted to pop in to say how much I appreciate your sharing your baking genius with us all.
It is so, so nice to hear from you, Tara! I miss reading about your life. 🙂 You should definitely make these – you could also sub in brownie mix for the homemade brownies to make it even easier. Perfect baking with your (not-so) little girl! I hope all is well with your family!
Wow!!! That a great layered brownie recipe, and it looks fancy even though the recipe seems pretty easy! [client]
Oh my! That is one seriously decadent treat, perfect for this time of year 🙂
Janie x
Yessss these brownies combine all my favorite things: crunch, rich peanut butter and brownies!! If I wanted to use boxed brownie mix, do I need two boxes?
You can just use one box for a 9×9-inch pan. I took my normal 9×13-inch recipe and used 3/4 of it to get a thick brownie layer, so you could do two boxes if you want an EXTRA thick layer, but I think one would work just fine.
What a simple, yet delicious treat! My kids will love helping me put one of these together. Just perfect.
Yes – such a perfect treat to bake with kids! I can’t wait until my little guy is ready to help me in the kitchen. 🙂
I so so love these! What a fabulous idea to use Rice Krsipies in these brownies – ooh and those luscious layers! YUM!
This looks delicious! I love the layers on them. Perfect for a holiday party and to make for a crowd.
This looks like the best treat ever! My kids would love these.
I love chocolate and peanut butter. I think they are even better when they are paired with something crispy – these look absolutely fantastic! I can definitely see making these for a holiday party.
Um… that seriously looks incredible. Love the different layers and the addition of the texture and crunch of the top layers – great use of the cereal!
I have the brownie layer in the oven right now and I’m at 35 min. and
it’s still not done. I have it in a 8×11 in. glass pan, covered with the foil liner at 350 F. .Are you sure it’s only 1- 1/4 C. flour? If this doesn’t work , I will look around my pantry to see if I have a brownie mix.
Thanks for the update – I’m glad the brownie layer finished! Every oven is a little different and switching to an 8×11-inch pan changes the baking time a little. Thanks for leaving how long it took so others who come across this post have a guideline. I hope you like the brownies!
Update: The brownie layer is done baking and is set at 35-40 min.
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