A rich brownie layer, topped with peanut butter cups and a peanut butter fudge crispy layer on top.
My chewy fudgy frosted brownies meet rice krispie treats in this indulgent dessert mashup.
Begin with a dense chocolate brownie base. My homemade brownie recipe is your standard fudgy, chewy brownie. Tastes like fudge and chocolate frosting in one.
You can always use a boxed brownie mix for the bottom layer. Whatever floats your boat.
Next, we have a shower of chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups (or mini Reese’s cups, whichever you prefer) and salty peanuts. The peanuts are amazingโthey give each bite a nice crunch. Plus, WHO doesn’t love salty & sweet?!
The Reese’s peanut butter cups tucked inside are obviously necessary, similar to my peanut butter cup stuffed cookies. Just when you thought peanut butter cookies couldn’t get any better!
For the top layer… my personal favorite… a melty mess of peanut butter, chocolate chips, and Rice Krispies. I couldn’t stop “tasting” this layer.
Peanut Butter Cup Crunch Brownies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 20-24 brownies
- Category: Brownies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A rich brownie layer topped with peanut butter cups and a peanut butter fudge crispy layer on top.ย
Ingredients
Homemade Fudgy Brownie Layer
(or use your favorite boxed brownie mix)
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) salted butter
- 8 ounces coarsely chopped bittersweet (or semi-sweet) chocolate (I used two 4 oz Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Bars)
- 1 and 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Middle Layer
- 3/4 cup salted peanuts
- 8 full size Reeseโs Peanut Butter Cups, chopped
Top Layer
- 1 and 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 and 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 and 1/2 cup Rice Krispies cereal
Instructions
- If using a boxed brownie mix, prepare the brownie layer according to packaged directions. Bake the brownies for 5 minutes less than the recipe states. Skip down to #3.
- If using my homemade fudgy brownie recipe: preheat oven to 350ยฐF (177ยฐC). Generously spray an 11×7-inch baking pan with cooking spray or line with aluminum foil. Set aside. Melt butter and semi-sweet chocolate in a medium saucepan on medium heat, stirring constantly (about 6 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in sugar. Add in the eggs one at a time, whisking until smooth after each addition. Whisk in the vanilla. Gently fold in the flour and salt. Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the top with a knife. Bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove brownies from the oven and sprinkle the top with the peanuts and chopped peanut butter cups. Return to the oven and bake for 5 additional minutes.
- While the brownies are finishing up in the oven, melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in the Rice Krispies cereal until evenly coated. Remove the brownies from the oven and pour the chocolate and peanut butter mixture over top. Spread to cover evenly. Refrigerate for 2 hours before cutting into 24 squares. Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Special Tools (affiliate links): 11×7-inch Baking Pan | Medium Saucepan | Whisk
- Adapted from How Sweet It Is.
Reader Comments and Reviews
Just wondering why this recipe doesn’t have gram weight as well as the cup measurements? Most of your recipes have both and I do all my baking by weight so it seemed odd that this one doesn’t have them.
Hi Robin! Our team has been working hard to update all of our recipes with accurate weight measurementsโwith this being an older recipe, we just haven’t made it to this one quite yet. But it is on our radar and we will update it soon! Thank you!
These look yummy! Just wondering if you use natural Peanut Butter or like Jiffy type PB for the top layer – or does it matter? Thanks
Hi Michelle, creamy processed peanut butter will work best!
I love checking out your Recipies. Funny how for years Iโve had a very old 7×11 pan, which Iโve never used much. Over the years Iโve thoughtof putting it in the give away box Iโm so glad I never have! Your Recipies seem to use this size pan a lot.Thanks for giving me reason to hang onto it!
Hi Sally. I donโt have an 11×7 pan. Would you suggest an 8×8 or 13×9? Thank you!!
Hi Alexandra! Do you have a 9×9? That would work great. Otherwise you can use your 8×8 for thick brownies or your 9×13 for thin brownies. Bake time will vary by pan.
Any suggestions if I donโt have a 7×11 pan?
Hi Justine! A 9×9 square pan would work great.
Wow!! These are AMAZING!! Have to force myself not to eat the whole batch myself! I used cocoa krispies instead of regular because that is what I had, but I am not complaining! The top layer and peanut layer isn’t sticking to the brownies so well. When I took the brownies out of the oven, I pushed the peanuts into it hoping that would make it stick but it didn’t. What did I do wrong/How can I prevent this next time?
I have the same problem. Amazing recipe but the top layer separates from the brownies after cutting. Do I need to let the brownies completely cool or can I put the Krispy layer on top of the warm brownies?
I’m so excited to try these! I don’t have any Reeces cups (or really any candy bars), can I just make it with peanuts? Maybe put chocolate chips? Open to suggestions!
Hi Ann, that should work just fine — feel free to add more peanuts to the middle layer or mix in some chocolate chips as you mention. Enjoy!
Can’t wait to try–they are in the fridge now. Do you think they would freeze ok? Thanks!
Hi Patti, definitely! They should freeze well for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
I used a 9×13 pan and added a cup or so of mini marshmallows to the middle layer. SO good!!!
Hi Sally,
Will the rice krispies in the top layer stay crunchy after a day or two?
Thank you ๐
Sure will!
I have some college students with a very sweet tooth and they will LOVE this for An Easter treat. Can I use a Snickers bar instead of the Reese’s chocolate? Will it work with the caramel?
Snickers would be a great substitution.
I just made these peanut butter cup crunch brownies last night. And, holy cow, I’m glad I’m giving half the pan away because these very caloric brownies are deliciously,ridiculously, sinfully, addictive! haha I Thank you so much for all your awesome recipes! (Especially the chocolate peanut butter combinations!) ๐
OMG I finally made these and they were sooooo good! I used a super-rich peanut butter brownie recipe that’s been in my family for years for the brownie layer and everyone appreciated the new update on those!
I made these today for my familys “first day of preschool celebration dinner dessert.” I didn’t have peanuts so I substituted walnuts and no rice krispies so I substituted crushed up kix. I asked “how are the brownies?” and my husband said “these are the best brownies you have ever made!” my boys couldnt even form words they only mummbled through chocolate fudgy mouthes “mmmmmm.” WINNER!!! This is the third recipie I have made from your site in the last two days and each and every one has gotten rave reviews from my family.
Made these this week and they are AMAZING! I (embarrassingly) completely forgot the vanilla and they were still good! Another winner, Sally ๐