Peanut Butter Cup Crack Brownies are completely over the top in the best way possible! Soft, fudgy brownies, with a layer of peanut butter cups, topped with a thick crispy peanut butter chocolate layer!
If you love brownies make sure to try my favorite Homemade Brownies Recipe!
What Are Peanut Butter Cup Crack Brownies?
These Peanut Butter Cup Crack Brownies are the dessert you should bring to any event where you want to seriously impress people. I can’t even begin to describe their deliciousness. They are consistently one of the most popular recipes on my website for good reason, EVERYONE LOVES THEM! You have a fudgy brownie with a layer of peanut butter cups and chopped peanuts sandwiched between crispy chocolate peanut butter fudge. Over the top? YES. Delicious and easy? Absolutely!
Ingredients:
- 1 box brownie mix
- honey roasted peanuts
- peanut butter cups
- semi-sweet chocolate chips
- butter
- creamy peanut butter
- Rice Krispie cereal
- vanilla
- kosher salt
How To Make Peanut Butter Cup Crack Brownies:
So I started with a box of Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownies… they are some of my favorite boxed brownies. While they were baking I chopped up some peanut butter cups and honey roasted peanuts.
When your brownie has 5 minutes left to bake pull it out of the oven and sprinkle your peanut butter cups and peanuts all over the top. The chocolate will melt and then you can use an off-set spatula to spread the chocolate evenly on top.
Set all that aside and then in a microwave safe bowl combine chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter in a bowl and melt it in the microwave until smooth. Then stir in some vanilla, salt and krispie cereal. Pour that on top of the brownies and spread evenly.
Now chill the brownies for 2 hours, until the top layer is set.
Here Are Some More Brownies Recipes To Try:
- M&Ms Brownies
- Cookies and Cream Stuffed Brownies
- Marshmallow Brownies
- Bombshell Oreo Brownies
- Sweet and Salty Brownies
Peanut Butter Cup Crack Brownies
Description
Peanut Butter Cup Crack Brownies are completely over the top in the best way possible! Soft, fudgy brownies, with a layer of peanut butter cups, topped with a thick crispy peanut butter chocolate layer!
Ingredients
- 1 box brownie mix (not family sized), prepared according to package directions in a 9×9 pan
- 1/2 cup chopped salted or honey roasted peanuts
- 12 peanut butter cups, chopped
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 1/4 cups creamy peanut butter
- 1 3/4 cups Rice Krispie cereal
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Bake the brownies according to package directions in a 9×9 pan lined with foil.
- During last 5 minutes of baking, remove from oven and sprinkle chopped peanut butter cups and chopped peanuts on top. Return to oven for remaining 5 minutes to melt the chocolate.
- As soon as you pull them out of the oven, spread the melty peanut butter cups/peanuts with an off-set spatula to smooth over top. Let brownies cool.
- Next in a microwave safe bowl combine chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter. Heat in microwave for 1 minute, stirring when done. If needed, continue heating in 20 second increments until chocolate chips are melted.
- Stir in cereal, vanilla and salt until evenly combined.
- Pour over brownies and smooth. Chill until chocolate is set, about 2 hours.
- Cut into squares to serve
Notes
Store airtight for up to 3 days. You can store these at room temperature or in refrigerator.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Find more recipes like this:
PIN for later:
Can this recipe be doubled for a 13×9 baking pan?
I just made this in a 9 x 13 pan and I did not double anything. I just used the family size brownie mix and put a little extra of each thing in. But seriously not much at all.
These are fantastic! One of my family’s favorites. My only caution is be careful to watch the ounces of the peanut butter cups. If you use the “snack size” ones, you will need more!
If I use a 13×9 pan, do I double the recipe? And I have Reese’s miniatures, so how many would I use if I don’t have the regular size Reese’s cups?
How does a nine x nine pan make 25 pieces
May I use a 9×13 inch cake pan versus a 9×9 inch pan to make this recipe, or would that result in a thin brownie mixture? Also, would I be allowed to use a non stick aluminum foil to line the pan or stick with “regular” aluminum foil—if “regular” foil, do you recommend not to grease it a little? Please advise me. I am looking forward making your recipe and I do thank you.
Use whatever foil you prefer but I would coat it lightly with nonstick spray regardless 🙂 The brownie layer will be thinner, but it will still be fine! Just make sure to buy the “family size” brownie mix!
Are the peanut butter cups used full size.
yes 🙂
I finally found and bought a 9 x 9 pan to make this great recipe. I mistakenly bought a fudge brownie mix versus your instructions using brownie mix. I read the recipe ad nauseam, so what do I do? I pick up the wrong type of brownie mix. Would I still be able to use the fudge brownie mix or will it be too sweet or just plain ruin the end result? I thought I had an IQ equal to that of a carrot but that may be debatable. As I stated in an earlier comment/question, I would appreciate your response. Thank You in advance.
It will work fine with the fudge brownie mix!
You are very thoughtful addressing my less-than-erudite-questions, professional and talented. I swear by your recipes.
Thank you for your timely response.
I have spent more time than I care to admit trying to find any store near my home (gas prices) that carries a box of brownie mix that is a smaller size than that of the family sized . I did read you said the family size would be thicker. I am not confident in my first attempt making these to have the outcome turn out thick.
Also, may I use the same amount of shortening to replace the butter when melting the chocolate chips? I would truly like to make this for those who work at my Vet clinic and for the local Sheriff Department. I would appreciate if you would consider answering the afroementioned.
The brownies will be slightly thicker, but they will still be totally fine! You can just them into smaller squares! And yes, you can use shortening in equal portions to butter 🙂
So, can this recipe be doubled for a 13×9?! I’ve read thru a lot of comments of people asking this same question. But I have not seen a answer or response to it. If it can be doubled. Does a person still use the large size peanut butter cups or the smaller size? I think for future reference. Any cook that has a blog. Should answer these questions either in the directions or in the notes to avoid mass confusion.thanks for sharing.
Hello! You can increase the recipe by 50% to prep for a 9×13.
Can you freeze these brownies?
Sure!
I only have family size brownie mix at the house? Can I still use it? How does this alter the recipe?
Yes, you can! I bake the family size in a 9×9 pan all the time, they are just slightly thicker, which I love!