September 22, 2012

Blue Ribbon Brownies

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Margaret's Morsels | Peanut Butter Brownies

Since September is prime time for state and county fairs, I thought I'd stick with the fair theme and share a blue ribbon brownie recipe.  I won a blue ribbon at a fair in the mid 1990's with a batch of Peanut Butter Marbled Brownies.  Thirteen years later, my son won a blue ribbon at a fair using the same recipe!

I think brownies are the most versatile cookie ever invented.  There are cookbooks devoted solely to brownie recipes!  Brownies can be fudgy, cake-like, frosted or plain.  Brownies can also be doctored up by simply adding additional ingredients to the batter.

Chopped nuts are probably the most common addition to brownies.  Candy -- chopped candy bars, crushed peppermints, M&M's, peppermint patties, caramels -- are also common additions.  So are chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, mint chips and white chocolate chips.  Food isn't the only way to add flavor.  Powders, such as Espresso or instant coffee, can be added, as can liquids, such as flavored liqueurs.

The recipe I'm sharing today uses two other popular brownie additions: cream cheese and peanut butter.  

Combine the brownie ingredients and remove 1 cup of batter.


Margaret's Morsels | Peanut Butter Brownies

Spread the remaining batter into a greased baking pan.


Margaret's Morsels | Peanut Butter Brownies

Combine the filling ingredients.


Margaret's Morsels | Peanut Butter Brownies

Spread the filling over the batter in the pan.  An easy way to do this is with an offset spatula.


Margaret's Morsels | Peanut Butter Brownies

Drop the reserved batter by teaspoonfuls over the filling.


Margaret's Morsels | Peanut Butter Brownies

Use a knife to gently swirl the batter for a marbled effect.


Margaret's Morsels | Peanut Butter Brownies

Bake the brownies and let the pan cool on a wire rack. 


Margaret's Morsels | Peanut Butter Brownies

When the brownies are completely cool, cut into the desired size. Whenever I bake bar cookies, I remove the crusty edges with a knife before cutting the cookies.  I think this makes the cookies look nicer when they're cut.


Margaret's Morsels | Peanut Butter Brownies

Cut the brownies into the desired size.  I use a square cookie cutter; I think it's easier and faster than cutting them with a knife.  It also produces identical size cookies.


Margaret's Morsels | Peanut Butter Brownies

You'll need two other things to go with these brownies:  glasses of milk and the recipe.  Why the recipe?  Everyone will ask for a copy! 


Peanut Butter Brownies
12 to 36 Servings (depending on the size)

Brownies:

1 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 cups sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs
3/4 cup cocoa
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup milk chocolate chips

Filling:

2 (3 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
2 Tbsp. milk

Prepare filling by combining all ingredients in a small mixing bowl; beat until smooth and creamy.  Set aside.

Stir together melted butter, sugar and vanilla.  Add eggs; beat well.  Add cocoa; beat until well blended.  Add flour, baking powder and salt; beat well. Stir in chips.  Remove 1 cup batter.  Spread remaining batter into a greased 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan.  Spread filling over surface.  Drop reserved batter by teaspoonfuls over filling.  Using a knife, gently swirl for marbled effect.  Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out almost clean.


© Margaret's Morsels




  




15 comments:

  1. These look scrumptious! I love cream cheese and peanut butter together! Thanks for sharing at Mix it up Monday :)

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    1. You're welcome, Lisa. Thanks for hosting the linky party!

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  2. These looks awesome! I love that they have cream cheese in them, that makes everything better ;) Also, great idea using the square cutter. I'll have to try that. Thank you so much for linking this recipe up at Recipe Sharing Monday. I hope to see you back next Monday. Have a good weekend!

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    1. Thanks, Ali! Cream cheese does make everything taste better! I love cutting bar cookies with a cookie cutter; nobody argues that their cookie is smaller than someone else:) Thanks for hosting the link party. I hope to be back next week.

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  3. Wow your brownies look so good.
    TFS this at Cooking and Crafting with J&J.

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    1. Thanks, Julie! Thanks for hosting another great party:)

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  4. Heaven! That's what this sounds like!

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

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    1. Thanks, Jess! Chocolate and peanut butter. It doesn't get much better than this:)

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  5. Love! Pinned and tweeted! Thank you so much for sharing this with us at our linky party. We hope to see you next Monday @ 7 because we can’t wait to see your new creations! Happy Sunday! Lou Lou Girls

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    1. Thanks, Kimberly! I appreciate you hosting the party week after week:) I hope to see you tomorrow. Have a good week!

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  6. Thank you so much for sharing with us for our 5th Anniversary of Full Plate Thursday! Hope you have a fantastic week and hope to see you again real soon!
    Miz Helen

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    1. Thanks, Miz Helen! Congratulations on your anniversary!!!!! Have a good week.

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  7. These look amazing! Thanks so much for sharing at my Creative Ways Link Party! Have a blessed week!
    Nici

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    1. Thanks, Nici! Thanks for hosting the party.
      Have a good week!

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    2. Thanks, Nici! Thanks for hosting the party.
      Have a good week!

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