Peanut Butter Cup Crack Brownies

Remember these super awesome Nutella crack brownies from way back in 2011? Definitely one of the top ten best things I've ever made, and so ridiculously easy too. People are shocked when they ask me for the recipe and it's only 4 ingredients. Still gets me every time too.


So anyway, you know how when something isn't broke, you're NOT supposed to fix it? Welllll, I don't exactly live life by the rules. I took the Nutella crack brownies and I "fixed" them. And by fix, I mean I gave them a makeover. And transformed them into peanut butter cup crack brownies- a delicious alternative to the non-lovers of Nutella. And yes, those kind of people do exist.


I started off with one of my favorite fudge brownie recipes, sprinkled on a layer of mini Reese's peanut butter cups, then added the classic Rice Krispie layer, this time flavored with melted chocolate and peanut butter. The results? Mind-blowing. Addictive. Amazingly good.

But did you honestly expect any less?

Peanut Butter Cup Crack Brownies

Yield: 16 brownies

Ingredients:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup Hershey's cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup granulated sugar
pinch of vanilla powder (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
2 eggs

1 and 1/2 cups mini unwrapped Reese's peanut butter cups

3/4 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 cup Rice Krispies

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Spray an 8x8 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In another medium-sized bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat together melted butter and sugar until well-combined. Add eggs and vanilla, and beat until well-incorporated.

Using a spoon, stir in dry ingredients. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes, sprinkle the mini Reese's peanut butter cups on top. Then, return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

In the meantime, melt together the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter over a double boiler or in a microwave. Once completely smooth and melted, stir in Rice Krispies and mix together to evenly coat.

Immediately after removing the brownies from the oven, spread the Rice Krispie layer on top. Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 2 hours before cutting and serving.