Dessert: Loaded Reese’s Brownies

Happy Friday! I’m so excited to begin a series of special Friday posts this week! These posts will feature favorite dessert recipes, as well as items I love.

Today I’m sharing a recipe for Loaded Reese’s Brownies. They have become my go-to when I need a dessert to share, or really just whenever. I found them on Pinterest a few years ago and I located the original recipe here on the Buns In My Oven blog. These decadent brownies are AMAZING! They’re ridiculously easy to make and even easier to devour!

Loaded Reese’s Brownies

Start with your favorite brownie mix. I like the Ghirardelli Double Chocolate brownie mix. You can find it at most markets. Our local Costco usually carries it in a bulk pack. Prepare the brownies according to the package directions. For this recipe, I make them in a 9×13 pan, so that requires two bags of the Ghirardelli mix. Let the brownies cool completely.

Once the brownies have cooled, mix up the peanut butter filling. A word of caution: This stuff tastes exactly like Reese’s peanut butter cups and a few bites of it, all by its self, are usually inevitable!

Peanut Butter Filling:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (I like Skippy. Mostly because we go through a lot of peanut butter at our house, and you can buy it at Costco too!)
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

Using a stand mixer and whisk attachment, beat together butter and peanut butter until combined. Next beat in powdered sugar and heavy whipping cream until well smooth, thick, and fluffy. Spread over fully cooled brownies.

Chocolate Frosting:

• 1 cup white sugar
• 6 Tbsp butter
• 6 Tbsp milk
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips (I use Guittard. You can find these at most markets too. The chocolate contains no wax and sets up nicely!)

In a small saucepan, on medium heat, stirring constantly, bring sugar, butter, and milk to a boil. Continue stirring and boil for exactly 60 seconds. Remove from heat. Stir in chocolate chips until melted. Immediately pour over peanut butter filling and spread gently with an offset spatula.

Let chocolate frosting set for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped Reese’s mini peanut butter cups. Allow an additional 30 minutes to set before cutting. I prefer to store them in the refrigerator and cut as needed. If you do, I recommend allowing them to sit for a few minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

-Kim