Did Someone Say Peanut Butter and Chocolate: Peanut Butter Brownies with Dark Chocolate Ganache

Let's face it, when someone says, "Do you want some peanut butter and chocolate..." they don't even have to finish their sentence, the answer is already, "Yes Please!" And for some of us, particularly of the female persuasion, the answer is, "Hand it over and no one will get hurt." So I can say, with extreme confidence, that these Peanut Butter Brownies with Dark Chocolate Ganache are a sure fire hit. 


They are actually more like peanut butter blondies than brownies, but the generous amount of semi-sweet chips in the base plus the chocolate topping make them dense enough to be considered in the same family. 


However, be warned, they go fast and they are highly addicting, but are those such bad qualities in a dessert?


Peanut Butter Brownies with Dark Chocolate Ganache
*adapted from Butterwood Desserts, West Falls, New York via Gourmet Oct. 2007

Brownie Ingredients

• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 1 3/4 C sugar
• 1 C creamy peanut butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 C flour
• 1 1/2 C semisweet chocolate chips (Guitard recommended)
• 1/2 tsp salt

Ganache Ingredients

• 1 1/2 C semisweet chocolate chips (Guitard recommended)
• 1/2 C heavy cream
• 1 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened

Directions

1.  Preheat the oven to 350. Prepare a 13x9 baking pan by spraying it with cooking spray, lining the bottom of the pan with parchment paper and then spraying the top of the parchment with cooking spray as well.

2. Beat the butter and sugar together with the paddle attachment of a stand mixer or with electric hand beaters on med-speed for about 3 minutes, or until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the peanut butter and beat until incorporated. Then beat in the eggs, egg yolk, vanilla and salt until incorporated. Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour, mix until just incorporated. 

3. Mix in the chocolate chips with a wooden spoon or spatula then spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.


4. Bake the brownies until they are a golden brown and a tooth pick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool completely in the pan before preparing the ganache. 

5. For the ganache: Put the chocolate chips in a heat proof bowl. Bring the heavy cream barely to a boil in a small sauce pan then pour it over the chocolate chips and let it sit for 1 minute before whisking smooth. Add the butter and whisk until fully incorporated. 

6. Spread the ganache evenly on top of the brownies and let set for at least 20 minutes before serving. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for future consumption.