Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

I am always in search of new desserts to make for family dinners. I have been making desserts for years so I don’t want to make the same things over and over again. I didn’t have time to go to the store this past weekend so I had to come up with something with what I had on hand. The results: Chocolate Brownies with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese! I first cut the brownies into bars, but they were a little sweet for me so I cut them into bite size pieces. They would also be great served warm with vanilla ice cream.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

Ingredients:

Peanut Butter Layer:

• 8oz  package of cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 2tablespoons milk

Brownie Layer:

• 1 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.Grease one 9×13 inch baking pan.
• In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, peanut butter, 1/4 cup white sugar, 1 egg, and milk until smooth. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, mix together melted butter, 2 cups white sugar, and vanilla. Mix in the remaining 3 eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; mix into the batter. Stir in chocolate chips.
• Spread the chocolate batter into the prepared pan. Carefully spread the peanut butter filling over the top.
• Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out almost clean. Cool completely, then cut into bars.

I think this would be great for a holiday party tray or maybe for a class or office party. I think I’ll make them just because I can!