Brownies with Peanut Butter Swirl

Funny story...  I used to not like peanut butter and chocolate together.  I know...  that makes me a weirdo.  I always liked chocolate and I always liked peanut butter.  I just didn't like them together.  Then when I was pregnant with my second child, I craved peanut butter like crazy!  I wanted it all the time and even wanted it with chocolate.  It was during this pregnancy that I figured out why everyone else in the world loved this crazy combination so much!  Haha.  So, now I am normal like the rest of you.

So, I decided to make my brownies with a peanut butter swirl!  They are so good.  I have made them twice already.  Our non-allergy friends also really like them.  But then who doesn't like peanut butter and chocolate together, right?!

This is my Brownie recipe and I found the ingredients for the peanut butter swirl from Crazy for Crust.  I reprinted both below for easier reference.

Brownies with Peanut Butter Swirl

½ c sugar

½ c brown sugar

½ c vegetable shortening

1 c flour

½ c unsweetened cocoa powder

½ t baking powder

½ t salt

½ c milk

1 t vanilla

½ c semi-sweet chocolate chips

For the peanut butter swirl (Source: Crazy for Crust)

½ c peanut butter

2 T butter, melted

1/3 c powdered sugar

1 t vanilla

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.   Lightly grease the bottom only of an 8x8 or 9x9 baking pan and set aside.  Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, blend shortening and both sugars until combined.  In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt.  Add flour mixture blending until mixture resembles a course meal.  Slowly add milk and vanilla, blending constantly until smooth.  Batter will be thick.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Spread batter into greased baking pan. 

Mix together peanut butter, melted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Drop spoonfuls on top of the brownies then swirl with a knife. 

Bake brownies for about 35 minutes or until the top is no longer shiny.  Set pan on a wire rack until the brownies are mostly cool and cut into squares.

Makes 16 2 inch brownies.

Dairy-free notes:  I haven't tried it but I think this recipe could easily be made dairy-free.  If anyone tries it, please let me know how it works out and what substitutes you used for the milk, butter and chocolate chips. 

April Fools' Day

Did you do anything fun at your house for April Fools' Day?

I left a little love note for my kids inside the rolled toilet paper and froze the juice I gave them for lunch.  They loved the note but were less amused by the frozen juice.

Then we made brown 'E's for Daddy (pictured below).  My oldest was so excited to tell Dad that we made brown 'E's.  We were sure to also make these Brownies (EF, DF).  My husband loves brownies and would enjoy the joke more if the real deal were to follow!

Brownies {Egg-free, Dairy-free}

Do you need an egg-free chocolate treat for Valentine's Day?  Try these brownies!  My Valentine thought they were pretty awesome.

Brownies

½ c sugar

½ c brown sugar

½ c vegetable shortening

1 c flour

½ c unsweetened cocoa powder

½ t baking powder

½ t salt

½ c milk or non-dairy substitute

1 t vanilla

½ c semi-sweet chocolate chips (non-dairy can be used) 
½ c pecans, chopped (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.   Lightly grease the bottom only of an 8x8 or 9x9 baking pan and set aside.  Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, blend shortening and both sugars until combined.  In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt.  Add flour mixture blending until mixture resembles a course meal.  Slowly add milk and vanilla, blending constantly until smooth.  The batter will be thick.  Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.  Spread batter into lightly greased baking pan.  Bake brownies for 25 to 30 minutes or until the top is no longer shiny.  Set pan on a wire rack until the brownies are completely cooled and cut into squares.

Serves 9

Dairy-free notes:  I haven't tried it but I think this recipe could easily be made dairy-free.  If anyone tries it, please let me know how it works out and what substitutes you used for the milk and chocolate chips.