Velvety Chocolate Fudge Peanut Butter Brownies Topped with Butterscotch

These velvety Chocolate Fudge Peanut Butter Brownies offer the perfect balance of sweetness and nuttiness with a texture that’s both moist and fudgy. The butterscotch adorning the tops shines bright like a well-lit Christmas tree. The combination of flavors from chocolate, peanut butter, and butterscotch is like a symphony, coming together to create a truly unique and crowd-pleasing treat. Have I painted a picture yet? No?

Imagine biting into a warm, gooey chocolate brownie infused with the irresistible flavors of creamy peanut butter and smooth butterscotch. The peanut butter adds a decadent creaminess that complements the rich chocolate base. In contrast, the butterscotch chips add a moment of buttery sweetness with each bite that will make your taste buds LIVE.

How To Enjoy Chocolate Fudge Peanut Butter Brownies w/ Butterscotch

Brownies are the perfect dessert to enjoy with a cold glass of milk or hot coffee. They’re perfect for any occasion, whether a special event or a casual dessert. Regardless, it is a sweet and salty treat that will leave you wanting more, so be prepared to stash a few away from others. There’s no wonder why these treats have been around since the late 19th century.

Ingredient Notes:

• All-purpose flour: This is the base for the brownie batter. It gives structure and stability to the brownies.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: This ingredient gives a rich chocolate flavor, which is more robust than unsweetened cocoa powder.
• Instant Coffee: This addition brings out the flavor of the chocolate without making the brownies bitter. Just a smidge will do with only a teaspoon included. 
• Unsalted Butter: This ingredient provides a rich buttery flavor to the brownies and is melted alongside the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Salted butter has a higher water content, and each brand differs in sodium content. Stick with unsalted for better brownie structure and the ability to control the amount of salt. 
• Sea Salt: A small amount of salt helps to balance the sweetness and bring out the flavors of the other ingredients. Table salt can also be used.
• Granulated Sugar: This sweetens the brownies and helps them to become moist.
• Dark Brown Sugar: This ingredient also sweetens the brownies and adds moisture due to the higher water content. It also adds a complex flavor to the brownies by imparting notes of molasses.
• Eggs: This ingredient acts as a binder in the recipe, helping to hold everything together. The yolks contribute to the overall fudgy texture and rich flavor. 
• Vanilla Extract: This adds a subtle sweetness and enhances the other flavors in the recipe.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: This ingredient gives the brownies a creamy and nutty flavor and texture. There are a lot of varieties out there. My favorites are the natural varieties that do not need to be stirred (like Skippy Natural Creamy PB or Jif Natural Creamy PB, to name a couple). 
• Butterscotch chips: This adds a buttery, caramel-sweet flavor and a nice texture to the brownies. They compliment the peanut butter and chocolate flavors without overpowering them, either. 

Recipe Notes

Here are some recipe notes for Butterscotch Peanut Butter Brownies:

• Overmixing the batter can cause the gluten in the flour to develop, resulting in a more rigid texture. Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined.
• Use room-temperature eggs. Doing so will help the mixture blend together. Also, when pouring the chocolate/butter mixture, be sure to continuously whisk the mix at the same time IF it is hot to the touch. Otherwise, the eggs may cook from heat shock.
• The baking time can vary depending on your oven. Overbaking the brownies can cause them to dry out and lose their fudgy texture. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center of the brownies. The brownies are done if it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs.
• It’s essential to let the brownies adequately cool before slicing and serving. This will make it easier to cut the brownies, and doing so too early can negatively impact their texture.
• If you’re using a different-sized pan, adjust the baking time accordingly. A 9″x9″ pan of brownies will cook faster than a 13″x9″ pan, though the latter is recommended for this recipe.
• If you’re looking for a nuttier flavor and crunchy texture, add some chopped peanuts to the batter or on top before baking.
• For additional troubleshooting or tips, refer to my FAQ page. Some topics include tips on measuring ingredients, calibrating your oven, and more!

Storage:

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature. They can also be frozen for up to a month, double-wrapped in the pan, or wrapped and placed in resealable plastic freezer bags.