… a deliciously stacked chocolate peanut buttery treat
In a desperate attempt to create a chocolate, peanut buttery treat to fulfill my cravings, this recipe was born. I started with a warm batch of fudgy brownies (which would generally be enough chocolate for the average person), added a thick layer of peanut butter mousse (because I can), and another layer of chocolate cheesecake frosting (because I’m not normal). I don’t even know what got into me in the process of making these ridiculous brownies, but I’m not ashamed one bit. To be honest, I didn’t even know what to call these massive, deliciously stacked brownies, so I went with the closest thing they resemble: bricks. Ooey, gooey, chewy, chocolatey and peanut buttery stacked bricks. If you’re into that sort of thing, you should give these a try ;)
For the Fudgy Brownies
1 box of your favorite brownie mix
oil, eggs, and water according to package
For the Peanut Butter Layer
(Recipe adapted from Guilty Kitchen)
1/2 block cream cheese (4 ounces), at room temperature
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Chocolate Cheesecake Frosting
(Recipe adapted from How Sweet it is)
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 block cream cheese (4 ounces), softened
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons dark cocoa powder
1 tablespoon milk, if needed
For the Fudgy Brownies
(1) Preheat the oven to 350° F
(2) Prepare and bake the brownies according to the directions
(3) Allow time for the brownies to cool; in the meantime, prepare the Peanut Butter Layer
For the Peanut Butter Layer
(1) In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a bowl with a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese and peanut butter until fluffy
(2) Add the sugar, vanilla and salt and beat again
(3) Put the peanut butter concoction into another bowl, clean out the first bowl and whip the cream to stiff peaks
(4) Fold the whipped cream into the peanut butter and continue until completely combined
(5) Using a rubber spatula, spread the peanut butter mousse on top of the cooled brownies and set aside; meanwhile, prepare the Chocolate Cheesecake Frosting
(1) In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and cream cheese together until smooth; Add in vanilla
(2) With the mixer on low speed, slowly add powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time and add cocoa powder, increasing the speed to mix
(3) If the frosting it a bit too thick, add milk 1 teaspoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached. If it is too thin, add additional sugar gradually
(4) Once consistency is reached, spread frosting atop peanut butter layer on brownies and refrigerate for an hour, or until ready to serve