This recipe for Rocky Road Peanut Butter Brownies is an older one with a lot going on in terms of texture and flavor. It's received good reviews from other bakers over the years, and of course it's a hit with peanut butter lovers. How could it not be with a base of brownie and a topping of peanut butter, marshmallows, nuts and chocolate?
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Melting Chocolate Chips into Batter
The Rocky Road Peanut Butter Brownies base has only has 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder. It is not super rich and chocolatey because it's supposed to balance the topping. However, a reader named Kaity melted some chocolate chips in with the butter and that was not a bad idea! So I've added 3 tablespoons of chocolate chips to be melted into the butter.
Adding Flour and Vanilla Last
Another weird thing about this recipe is that the eggs and vanilla are added after the flour. I think beating the eggs in last forces you to beat the brownie batter a little more and beating the flour in the brownie batter strengthens the gluten strands a bit and makes the brownies slightly stronger so they can support the toppings.
Pan Sizes and Small Batch
This recipe says to use a 9-inch square pan which gives you a thin brownie base and a higher ratio of toppings. You can also make it in an 8-inch square pan, but you might need to tack on a couple of minutes to the total baking time. For a half batch, use a large loaf pan or something around 9x5 or 10x5 and check the base layer at 18 minutes.
Recipe
Rocky Road Peanut Butter Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 stick unsalted butter (114 grams)
- 3 tablespoons chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons natural unsweetened cocoa powder (15 grams)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour (100 grams)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
Topping
- ¾ cup smooth peanut butter
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
- ⅓ cup lightly salted peanuts
- ⅔ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Extra milk or dark chocolate for melting and drizzling.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a - inch square pan with non-stick foil or parchment paper. Alternatively, you can use an 8-inch pan but the bake time might be a little longer.
- In a microwave-safe mixing bowl, melt the butter. If using the 3 tablespoons of chocolate chips, add them to the melted butter and stir until melted. Stir in the cocoa and let the mixture cool. When cool, stir in the sugar, flour and salt and mix with a wooden spoon.
- Crack in the eggs, one by one and beat with the spoon, then beat in the vanilla until the mixture is well-blended. Pour into the pan and bake for 20 minutes or until top appears set. Remove from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes.
- Warm peanut butter for 10 seconds in the microwave and spread it over the brownies. Sprinkle marshmallows, chocolate chips and peanuts over the peanut butter layer. Return the oven and bake for 3-4 minutes or just until marshmallows puff up. Let cool at room temperature or let cool slightly and throw in the freezer if you want to quick set.
- If desired, melt some milk or dark chocolate in the microwave using 50% power. Drizzle melted chocolate over the rocky road topping. Let cool completely, then put in the refrigerator. When chilled, lift from pan and cut into 16 squares.
Kaity Walter says
These were one of the first things I "Evernoted" and I FINALLY got around to making them yesterday. I posted a link to this recipe and blogged about them here:
http://thegentlebaker.blogspot.com/2012/05/one-bowl-rocky-road-brownies.html#more
Deeeelicious. My husband won't stop eating them, and I mainly made them for me!
Gloria says
I forgot to mention I like that the salty pb is not mixed in with anything sweet. The bars look like state fair blue ribbon winners with the varying textures and colors. Like Calico brownies!
NICOLA LOMBARDI says
wow what a great twist on a regular brownie!
dani says
that cookie is a whole lot of happiness right there!
Katie says
Anna, I made these decadent brownies last night and they are FABULOUS! I almost used special dark cocoa powder, but after tasting them I am glad I didn't. I also didn't use a chocolate drizzle- these are plenty chocolatey on their own. Thanks for the recipe- they are a hit at work!
Heather I. says
Trophy Cupcakes!!!
Renee says
I love one bowl recipes! I think I need to make these brownies soon. Thanks for the recipe.
LisAway says
Oooooo, this might have to be the next brownie recipe I try! Looks and sounds delicious!