Rich Peanut Butter Brownies are soft and fudgy, just the way I like them, and they look amazing too. You could make these for an after school snack, Sunday night dessert, or to take to a party. There's really no bad time to make these if you ask me.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil, letting the foil over hang the edges by a few inches; grease the foil with butter or cooking spray.
In a microwave safe dish (2-cup glass measuring cup works great for this), add your chocolates, cocoa, and butter. Microwave, stirring often, for 1 to 3 minutes until the mixture is smooth. Let it cool slightly.
In a large bowl, whisk the sugar, eggs, vanilla, and salt together. Whisk in the melted chocolate mixture until combined. Stir in the flour until just incorporated. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top.
Drop the peanut butter on top of the brownie batter by little spoonfuls all over the top. Use a knife to cut through the peanut butter and pull it through the brownie layer a bit. Bake the brownies until a tooth-pick inserted into the middle comes with just a few soft crumbs attached, 35 to 40 minutes.
Let the brownies cool completely in the pan; set on a wire rack. Remove the brownies from the pan by using the foil, cut into squares to serve.
Notes
I use the Ghirardelli’s 100% cocoa bars found in the baking aisle for the unsweetened chocolate. Man, it's good!
Don't over-mix, stir in the flour until just combined to avoid tough brownies.
Insert a toothpick in the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs.
Gently swirl the peanut butter to create a beautiful marbled effect.