Description
Adapted from Joy the Baker
Ingredients
For the Brownies:
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Peanut Butter Topping:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Maple Frosting:
- 1 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 to 3 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan. Line with parchment paper so that it overhangs on two sides and grease the parchment paper as well.
- Boil two inches of water in a medium saucepan. Combine butter, unsweetened chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate in a heat proof bowl and place over the simmering water. Stir until chocolate and butter are melted. Use a pot holder to remove the bowl from the double boiler. Whisk in the sugar and vanilla extract.
- Allow the chocolate mixture to cool slightly then whisk in the eggs, one at a time whisking very well between each addition.
- In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
- Fold in the flour mixture into the chocolate mixture until thoroughly combined and spoon into prepared pan.
- To make the Peanut Butter Filling: whisk together melted butter, powdered sugar, peanut butter, salt and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Spoon the peanut butter mixture over the top of the brownie batter and use a butter knife to swirl it into the batter. Bake for about 40 minutes until a skewer inserted in the center comes our mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs.
- While they’re baking, make the frosting: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until soft, about 1 minute, then add in the maple syrup and keep mixing for about 1 minute more. Add 1 1/2 cups of the confectioners’ sugar, salt, and vanilla. Beat on low speed until the sugar is well incorporated. Add another 1/2-1 cup sugar. Add more sugar as needed to thicken the frosting. Beat on medium speed until the frosting is smooth and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
- Let the brownies cool for at least 30 minutes before frosting with the maple frosting. Store at room temperature. These brownies also freeze well!