Peanut Butter Brownies from a Cake Mix! 🥜🍫

These indulgent Peanut Butter Brownies are a quick and easy treat that combines the simplicity of a cake mix with the rich, creamy flavor of peanut butter. They're perfect for satisfying your chocolate cravings and are sure to be a crowd-pleaser at parties, potlucks, or as an after-school snack! Serve them warm with a drizzle of extra peanut butter or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an irresistible dessert! 🍦💕

Ingredients

For the brownies

• 1 box of chocolate cake mix (any brand)
• 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup of creamy or crunchy peanut butter
• 1 cup of chocolate chips (optional)

For the topping

• 1/3 cup of additional peanut butter (for drizzling)
• Sea salt (optional, for sprinkling)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9x13 inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a large bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, vegetable oil, and eggs. Stir until everything is well blended. The batter should be thick and fudgy.
3. Gently fold in the peanut butter until you have a marbled effect. If you prefer a more uniform taste, you can mix it in thoroughly. Optional: add chocolate chips for an extra gooey treat.

🥄 Make sure not to overmix the batter; it's wonderfully dense and rich when baked well!

4. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean (some moist crumbs are okay!).

⏰ Keep an eye on your brownies, baking times can vary slightly based on the oven and dish used.

6. While the brownies bake, microwave your additional peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl for about 15-20 seconds, or until slightly runny. Stir well.
7. Once the brownies are out of the oven, let them cool for about 10 minutes, then drizzle the melted peanut butter over the top. For an added touch, sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt.

Variations

• Nut-Free: Omit the peanut butter and replace it with sunbutter or almond butter for a nut-free version. Check your local allergen-free recipes!
• Double Chocolate: Replace some of the chocolate chips with white chocolate chips for a delightful contrast in flavor!
• Stuffed: Create a gooey center by adding dollops of peanut butter into the center of the batter before baking.
• Brownie Bites: Bake in a mini muffin tin for fun, bite-sized treats, adjusting the baking time to 12-15 minutes.

Enjoy your easy and delectable Peanut Butter Brownies! 🥳🥜🍫