Trifecta Brownies

I saw these brownies on Pinterest a few months ago and have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to make them.  They aren't the type of brownie you make just to have around the house for a little snack.  These are a brownie that need to be shared with a crowd.  I made them for my neighborhood Bunco group, a bunch of ladies I knew would appreciate the sweet, salty, peanut butter deliciousness.

This is one of those recipes that looks really complex and time consuming, but in reality is super easy.  You can make them using a package of peanut butter cookie mix and a box of brownie mix, or you can make them using your favorite recipes.  I used my favorite recipes - a super simple brownie recipe and my favorite 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies.

Start by crunching up some salty pretzles, I left some big pieces for a little bit texture. Add a little butter to hold it all together.  Add a tablespoon of this mixture to the bottom of cupcake tins.

Next make your peanut butter cookie dough. Place a flattened ball on top of the pretzel mixture.

Add a miniature Reese's Peanut Butter cup, if you have an assistant watch them very carefully or you may run out of peanut butter cups

Finally top with a couple of tablespoons of brownie batter.  Bake, let cool and enjoy!

Everyday Brownies
Printer Ready

1 1/4 sticks (10 tablespoons) Unslated Butter
1 3/4 cups packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch salt
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
About 6 ounces milk chocolate, chopped into small nuggety chunks (or 1 cup chips) 

Directions
Butter a  13 x 9 x 2 inches
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

In small bowl whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, baking soda and pinch of salt, set aside.

Melt the butter over a gentle heat in a medium-sized saucepan.  Keeping over a low heat add sugar and stir until blended.  Add dry ingredients, stir until combined then remove from heat.

In a small bowl whisk the eggs with the vanilla extract and then mix into the flour mixture.  Stir in the chopped chocolate and quickly pour and scrape into a prepared pan, spreading the mixture with a spatula.  Cook in the preheated oven for about 20 to 25 minutes. It will look set, dark and dry on top, but when you feel the surface, you will sense it is still wibbly underneath.  

Peanut Butter Cookies
1 cup Peanut Butter
1 cup Sugar
1 Egg


Preheat oven to 350.Combine all ingredients, mix until combined and smooth.  Drop spoonfuls onto baking sheet.  Bake in preheated oven for 6-8 minutes.