Peanut Butter Cup Crack Brownies

This blog post will be brief because, well, look at the picture. Do I really need to go on and on gushing about how good these are? The name alone, Peanut Butter Cup Crack Brownies, pretty much says it all. 

I'd seen this recipe, as perhaps many of you had, making the rounds on Facebook. After seeing it again and again, I finally caved and decided I had to make it. I made a big pan, divided it up between my dad, and my two sons and their families, and waited for the response. As you can well imagine, thumbs up all around. These are easy to make, rich, sweet, chocolaty, peanut buttery, and delicious. Need I say more?

Oh. P.S. It's my birthday!

Peanut Butter Cup Crack Brownies

 1 pkg. fudge brownie mix (not family sized)

½ cup chopped salted peanuts

12 peanut butter cups, chopped

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1¼ cups creamy peanut butter

1 Tablespoon butter

1½ cups crispy rice cereal

1 teaspoon vanilla

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Prepare brownies according to package directions. Spread into a greased and foiled-lined 9” x 9” pan. Bake for 17-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumb.

Remove from oven and sprinkle with chopped peanut butter cups and chopped peanuts. Bake 4-6 minutes longer or until chocolate is melted. Cool on a wire rack.

Meanwhile, in a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter; stir until smooth. Fold in the cereal, vanilla, and salt. Carefully spread over brownies. Chill until chocolate is set, about 2 hours. Cut into squares to serve.

Slightly adapted from Taste of Home

This post is linked to: Over the Moon, Merry Monday, Dishing It & Digging It, Art of Homemaking, Amaze Me Monday, Busy Mondays, Inspiration Monday,