Peanut Butter Fudge Brownie Bricks

by Erin

When I proclaimed that I had made the best brownie I’ve ever had, many people asked what was in it. But it’s not what was put INTO the brownie, but what was on top. Because sometimes it actually is what is on the outside that counts. I give you, the appropriately named peanut butter fudge brownie bricks. I may or may not be trying to kill your new years resolutions.

But in all seriousness. Best, Brownie. EVER.

You take a regular box of brownie mix and prepare as usual. While that cools down you whip up all the fun parts! First you have a thick rich layer of peanut butter mousse. And is that wasn’t enough for you, it is followed by a layer of chocolate cheesecake frosting. I think my mind exploded after one bite. Then proceeded to finish it off in 4 bites total… and then had a second.

One year ago: English Muffins

PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE BROWNIE BRICKS

Makes 16 two-inch bars

Ingredients:

BROWNIES

1 box of your favorite 8×8 sized brownie mix

Oil, eggs, and water according to package

PEANUT BUTTER LAYER

1/2 block (4 oz) reduced fat cream cheese, at room temperature

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE FROSTING

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/2 block (4 oz) reduced fat cream cheese, at room temperature

1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

3 Tbsp cocoa powder

1 Tbsp milk, if needed

Chocolate sprinkles, for topping

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8×8-inch pan and set aside.
  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.
  4. In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a bowl with a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese and peanut butter until fluffy. Add the sugar, vanilla and salt and beat again.
  5. Put the peanut butter concoction into another bowl, clean out the first bowl and whip the cream to stiff peaks. Fold the whipped cream into the peanut butter and continue until completely combined.
  6. Using a rubber spatula, spread the peanut butter mousse on top of the cooled brownies and set aside; meanwhile, prepare the chocolate cheesecake frosting.
  7. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and cream cheese together until smooth; Add in vanilla.
  8. 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. 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.
  9. Once consistency is reached, spread frosting atop peanut butter layer on brownies and refrigerate for an hour, or until ready to serve. Top with chocolate sprinkles!

Source: Adapted slightly from Little Shortcake

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50 comments

Grouchy November 30, 2014 - 10:27 am

During the peanut butter step, can I fold the mixture into a container of Cool-Whip instead of whipping the cream?? I have an awful time with whipping cream. Sorry, don’t mean to ask silly questions.

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spiffycookie November 30, 2014 - 10:46 am

You can definitely use cool whip instead. 3/4 cup heavy cream is about 1-1/2 cups when whipped, so substitute with that much cool whip. Enjoy!

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betty March 4, 2014 - 9:15 am

Renee , there was only a 1/4 teaspoon of salt in one layer and that was the peanut butter layer. You can omit the salt , Everyone has there dislikes . When I give a recipe and someone doesn’t like it I don’t criticize them, it is because they didn’t follow the recipe. I am going to try what you said to see how they come out and will post the results either way.

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betty March 3, 2014 - 3:14 pm

These were awesome , I made them twice this week. next time I am going to do it in a 9×13 pan I know it won’t be as thick but it will look like more. you have some great recipes THANK YOU !

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spiffycookie March 3, 2014 - 6:21 pm

Great idea, thanks Betty!

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Renee March 3, 2014 - 9:39 am

I made these last night and they are WAY too salty both layers. I don’t understand why you added salt to salty peanut butter? I make a peanut butter pie that is similar and is delicious! You need a full 8 ounces of cream cheese and 3/4 cup sugar not powdered sugar to offset the salty peanut butter. And I wouldn’t add salt!! Maybe this is good if you like very salty desserts. It was too much for my family. If I make it again I will not add salt and add regular sugar and more cream cheese.

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Courtney DuMond November 11, 2013 - 5:28 pm

This sounds sooo delicious! However, I am against using boxed brownie mixes…they are terrible for you. Is there a “good for you”, or just plain delicious brownie recipe that you would suggest??
Thanks!

Reply
spiffycookie November 12, 2013 - 2:27 pm

I have a recipe for a homemade version of No Pudge Brownies: https://www.thespiffycookie.com/2012/04/19/more-fudge-less-pudge-brownies/

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Ronald January 2, 2013 - 8:55 am

Are those your tooth marks on those brownies?

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spiffycookie January 2, 2013 - 2:48 pm

Absolutely!

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Amy September 5, 2012 - 5:26 pm

Looks great

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PB&J Fam May 21, 2012 - 11:08 pm

Oh.My.Word… I want to lick my screen!! Question:… you mention any brownie mix… but which one do you use? (yours look sinfully fudgey/gooey) Do you have any tricks or suggestions to make sure the brownies turn out like that?!?

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spiffycookie May 22, 2012 - 8:08 am

I wish I remember exactly which I used. I tend to buy whatever is on sale, but I have a feeling I used the Betty Crocker Hershey’s Ultimate Fudge mix. And for a trick, I always bake just until they are set and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs (not not raw batter).

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GlutenFreeGabber January 19, 2012 - 12:41 pm

Seriously, this is NOT fare. This should not be posted this soon after Christmas when I’m trying to be good (or thinking about being good anyway). These look absoltely fantastic. I will be making these as a Gluten Free version for my household.
Thanks for sharing.
Michelle (aka – glutenfreegabber)

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spiffycookie January 19, 2012 - 12:56 pm

I’m not good with helping others keep their resolutions O:-). But I did use reduced fat cream cheese, that’s something!

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Audra@The-Baker-Chick January 17, 2012 - 8:28 am

Oh WOW do these look good. So creamy and fudgy and delicious. I’d like 5 please!

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spiffycookie January 17, 2012 - 8:28 am

Coming right up!

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jean January 15, 2012 - 9:23 pm

Made these today. A bit timely, but delicious. Only thing I did different was add some instant coffee granules to the Choco cheesecake frosting….make a little mocha taste. Question: why bother with the low-fat cream cheese?

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spiffycookie January 15, 2012 - 9:48 pm

Haha, I realize in the grand scheme of this recipe, using lowfat cream cheese seems silly since there’s no way this brownie could be good for you. But hey it could have even MORE calories and fat if you do use regular cream cheese. It’s also just habit – I pretty much never buy regular cream cheese.

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Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga January 14, 2012 - 10:56 pm

These look crazy good and I just made some triple layered brownies that I havent blogged about yet but you are so right, it’s what you TOP them with :)

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Jenn@Baking Jenn's Blog January 13, 2012 - 5:52 pm

These sound WONDERFUL. Definitely saving this recipe. Thanks for sharing!

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Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. January 12, 2012 - 7:45 pm

Oh, these look divine!

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april January 12, 2012 - 2:15 pm

omg……these look delish!!!! xoxo

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Baker Street January 11, 2012 - 12:24 am

Peanut butter in brownies is a sure shot winner.

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Jessica January 10, 2012 - 10:32 pm

Resolution Smesolution! Must make these!

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betty January 10, 2012 - 9:37 pm

they DO look fantastic! every layer sounds delicious

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Christina @ Sweet Pea's Kitchen January 10, 2012 - 7:53 pm

Oh man!! These brownies look amazing! :D

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Vicki @ WITK January 10, 2012 - 7:10 pm

Oh boy Erin, these look amazing! I’m sure they didn’t last long! I think I would eat all of that inner peanut butter layer, yum, looks so creamy! :)

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Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts January 10, 2012 - 5:38 pm

Erin, I want to come live with you!! I could live on this alone!

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spiffycookie January 10, 2012 - 5:45 pm

Hehe we would create so many amazing things if we lived together!

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In Katrina's Kitchen January 10, 2012 - 3:24 pm

Holy yum and haleluia.

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Lauren at Keep It Sweet January 10, 2012 - 2:16 pm

I have no words!

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Steph@stephsbitebybite January 10, 2012 - 12:33 pm

Are you serious with these? Holy heaven!! I’m in love!

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spiffycookie January 10, 2012 - 12:58 pm

Totally serious. As serious as you are with those amazing s’mores cinnamon rolls!

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alex January 10, 2012 - 11:06 am

I have no words! oh yeah..I want these! I love using boxed brownies and dressing them up! YUM!

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Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray January 10, 2012 - 10:59 am

These. Are. EVIL. Oh my gosh.

Okay, I now have to find a party to go to solely for the purpose of making these.

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spiffycookie January 10, 2012 - 11:01 am

Or plan a party to host!

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Kelly January 10, 2012 - 10:49 am

These look to DIE for!! Amazing! :)

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natalie (the sweets life) January 10, 2012 - 10:33 am

ha i love the name of these! and i imagine they taste rather divine!

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Maggie @ vittles and bits January 10, 2012 - 10:02 am

Ummm… WOW. I agree, it’s what goes on top of the brownies that can really make them special. And these look amazing, Erin! Thankfully I have no new year’s resolutions :)

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Leanne @ The Skinny Architect January 10, 2012 - 8:47 am

Um, I think I might be baking this weekend now… These look incredible!!!!!

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Miriam @ Overtime Cook January 10, 2012 - 8:29 am

Ohmygosh. I’m pretty speechless right now. Seriously, seriously can’t wait to make these!!

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Kathryn January 10, 2012 - 8:03 am

I saw the little teaser of these on twitter last night – they’re even better than I was expecting!

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Rachel @ Not Rachael Ray January 10, 2012 - 7:49 am

Holy smokes these look amazing!

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Joan Hayes@chocolate and more January 10, 2012 - 7:43 am

I’ve died and gone to heaven.

And you’re not “trying” to kill all those resolutions, you did use reduced fat cream cheese, that has to count for something!

And it’s only 4 bites, not like it’s the whole pan (that would be an individual decision) or maybe 8 bites, 12 bites? I don’t think I’d care too much until I reached 24 bites?

Pinning this and adding to must make list!

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spiffycookie January 10, 2012 - 8:58 am

Hahaha yes I did! Totally good for you right? Just ignore the butter, heavy cream and powdered sugar… thanks so much!

Reply

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