brownies all dressed up. [peanut butter cookie dough brownies topped w. ganache & salted peanuts]

Some friends and I celebrated our friend, Chase’s, birthday in LA this past weekend. Although my schedule is much busier now with a full-time job, not leaving a lot time for gift shopping, I always try to at least squeeze in time to bake or cook. Baking goods is a great way to give a gift from the heart.

Once I received approval from Chase that he does in fact like chocolate and peanut butter, I began baking. I found this five-star recipe for peanut butter cookie dough brownies on the Food Network website. I was instantly sold on the recipe after reading the rave reviews. People commented on how these brownies were swept off the table within minutes after serving and how everyone couldn’t get enough of them.

I experienced the exact same situation when I brought a tupperware full of these rich and delectable brownies to the birthday party. Although I carried the treats around the bar all night, as I did not want to make the birthday boy hold them, I did not mind one bit. Throughout the night, I actually had friends, and strangers, coming up to me asking if they could try a brownie because they’d heard everyone else gushing about them.

There is no doubt that I will bake these desserts again soon. I’d say this was the perfect recipe.

I made similar dessert bars (here and here).

Brownie layer recipe:

Nonstick cooking spray

1/2 cup unsalted butter

2 (1-ounce) squares Hershey’s chocolate

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp. flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chunks

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray the bottom and sides of an 8 by 8-inch pan with cooking spray.

Using a double boiler, melt butter and unsweetened chocolate at medium heat, until butter and chocolate are melted. Stir until combined, then mix in vanilla. Meanwhile, beat the sugar and eggs in a large bowl then add in the chocolate mixture. Keep beating or stirring to prevent the egg mixture from curdling.

Stir in the flour, baking powder, salt and chocolate chunks. Spread the brownie mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Bake until the brownies are set and a toothpick inserted in the center of the brownies comes out clean, about 22 to 28 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 30 minutes.

Peanut butter cookie dough layer recipe:

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

2 tbsp. half & half

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp. flour

1/2 tsp. salt

Directions:

Add the butter and brown sugar to a large bowl and mix until creamy. Mix in the half & half and the peanut butter, then stir in the flour and salt. Spread the peanut butter cookie dough evenly over the warm or cooled brownies.

Ganache layer recipe:

3/4 cup Nestle dark chocolate chips

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup chopped salted peanuts

Directions:

Using a double boiler, melt the dark chocolate chips and heavy whipping cream on medium heat until mixture is melted and smooth, about 3-4 minutes. Spread the ganache over the peanut butter layer and sprinkle with the chopped peanuts. Refrigerate until the dough and ganache are set, about 2-3 hours. Cut brownies and serve.