Peanut Butter Frosted Brownies

Need a delicious dessert to please a crowd?  Maybe you have a BBQ or a potluck coming up?  This recipe just might be for you!  I found this recipe on Squidoo with a list of "kicked up brownie mix recipes."  It's a list of yummy looking recipes to turn your ordinary brownie mix into something extraordinary.  We love peanut butter and chocolate together, so I decided to try Peanut Butter Frosted Brownies.  

Recipe Link

ngredients 

2 boxes brownie mix (water, oil and eggs per box instructions)

1- 18oz jar crunchy peanut Butter

Directions

Bake 2 packages of brownies in a 15" x 10" jelly roll pan as directed on the brownie mix package (for most packages--350 degrees F. for approx. 20-25 minutes). While the brownies are still warm, spread 1-18 oz jar of chunky peanut butter on top of them. Tip: The peanut butter spreads easier if you microwave it for 2 minutes at 50% power. Give it a vigorous stir and then spread it on top of the brownies. Chill the peanut butter covered brownies in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Chocolate Frosting

1/2 cup butter

1/3 cup milk

10 large marshmallows

1/4 cup cocoa

1 package powdered sugar (16 oz) or approx. 3 1/2 to 4 cups

Directions

In a large saucepan, cook the butter, milk and marshmallows over medium heat until they are all melted together. Remove from heat and whisk in the cocoa powder. Mix in powdered sugar with handmixer a little at a time until the frosting is smooth and has a spreadable consistency. Immediately spread chocolate frosting over the cooled peanut butter layer. Place pan back in the refrigerator and cool an additional 20 minutes before cutting into squares.

Source: Squidoo

warm brownies with crunchy peanut butter on top

The Results...
Our family thought these brownies were delicious and they were simple to make.  This recipe does make A LOT of peanutty, fudgey topped brownies.  Great for any gathering.  You will definitely want to share!

Updated Sept. 11, 2012
If you're not making these for a crowd, you can individually wrap any extra brownies in plastic wrap and store in the freezer.  It's back to school time and these are great to have on hand for a treat in a lunchbox or an after school snack.  You can eat these right from the freezer.  They don't freeze solid, instead they just get a little denser and more fudgy-like, yum!

  
*Another really good "kicked up brownie mix" recipe we've tried is Carmalized Brownies by Paula Deen.

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