This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, read my disclosure policy.

Peanut butter brownies with pretzel crust on a white plate

Today was Jordan’s first day of second grade. I got a little sad. And then I realized something.

She’s gone! At school all day! I kinda felt like that lady in the empty-nester commercial, the one who redecorated her kid’s room as soon as he left for college?

It’s amazing the difference that happens to a kid between kindergarten and second grade. Ginormous difference between then and now. And I know she’s only going to grow up even more in the next few months.

She’ll probably think she’s ready for her driver’s license by the time she ends second grade.

And she’s still super excited still about her braces. She made sure to seek out her old teachers, her principal, and parents of several friends to show them her NEW BRACES! and NEW EARRINGS!

{Shy my child is not.}

So, what did I do to celebrate today?

Remember last year? How a bunch of us moms started walking after drop off? We kicked it off again today.

My friend told me it was “about an hour walk.”

We did over seven miles. SEVEN.

So I’m not sure if my friend is a friend or if she’s out to kill me? The jury is still out on that one.

After I walked SEVEN miles this morning I think I deserve a treat.

And luckily, unlike most of the treats I share with you, I still have some of these babies in my freezer.

I was going to take them to school this week.

They might not make it.

Remember those Very Vanilla Bars I made you a few months ago? You know, the ones for that unmentionable party? Well, they were actually called Very Vanilla Brownies…a fact I realized I messed up on only after photo editing. Anyway, they were made with white chocolate chips.

As I stood at the stove making them, my mind wandered and I began to wonder if I could make them with other kinds of chips. Like peanut butter chips.

You know, make Peanut Butter Brownies.

Sometimes I astound even myself.

Because these are amazing.

Of course, I had to do more than make brownies with frosting. I added a crust.

Because I’m me.

Pretzel crust. Peanut Butter Brownies. And Peanut Butter Frosting (which totally makes them; do not skimp on the frosting!)

You could add chocolate. I almost did. But this way the peanut butter is the total star. She doesn’t have to share the limelight with her pesky BFF, chocolate, throwing her perfect hair around or strutting her stuff in her milk chocolate stilettos.

Nope, peanut butter is the star here.Perfect comfort food for the first day of school. When you realize your kid is soon going to hate you and not want you to hold her hand anymore.

Or when a friend makes you walk over SEVEN miles.

Make these. You won’t be sorry!

Peanut butter brownies with pretzel crust on a white plate

Peanut Butter Brownies

No ratings yet
Adapted from Betty Crocker
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Yield 12 servings
Rate RecipePrint Recipe

Ingredients
 

For the Crust

  • 2 1/2 cups pretzels
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) melted butter

For the Brownies

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 bag peanut butter chips
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 eggs

For the Frosting

  • 4 tablespoons butter , softened
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 tablespoons milk
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 350°. Line the bottom of a 9×13” baking pan with parchment paper.
  • Crush pretzels in food processor. Place in a medium sized bowl and add sugar and melted butter. Stir and press into the bottom of your pan. Bake for 8 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, melt butter and peanut butter chips in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, just until melted. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
  • Stir remaining brownie ingredients together in a large bowl. Stir in peanut butter mixture. Spread over pretzel crust and bake about 30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
  • Make the frosting: Beat butter and peanut butter with a hand mixer. Beat in powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Mix until smooth and spread over cooled brownies. Cut into bars.

Recipe Nutrition

Calories: 501kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 470mg | Potassium: 138mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 653IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2mg
Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Author Dorothy Kern

Did you try this recipe? Click the stars to rate the recipe below

Click here to see more PEANUT BUTTER recipes!

Enjoy!



Dorothy Kern

Welcome to Crazy for Crust, where I share recipes that are sometimes crazy, often with a crust, and always served with a slice of life.

Learn More About Me

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




76 Comments

  1. Found this recipe on pinterest, and had to try it right away. Is the dough supposed to be SO thick? When I tried to “spread” it onto the pretzel crust, the crust just fell apart and stuck to the dough and made a huge mess. I ended up having to grease my hands and “spread” the dough that way. It’s baking now, so we’ll see how it turns out. Unfortunately, the “crust” is not really a crust anymore. It’s going to be patchy and mixed in at places. :/

    Reply

    1. I remember the dough being thick, but not so that I couldn’t spread it with the spoon. Hmmmm…. I hope they turn out okay? I’m sorry you had trouble with it!

      Reply

  2. That looks so good! I love you peanut butter recipes! I will be pinning this and save it to my must try 🙂
    Sorry you feel a little sad about your kid being at school all that. That’s why it pays to seize each moment they are there. They grow up so fast!

    xo
    Myric

    Reply