Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Blondies
These aren’t your typical blondies. The brown butter base creates this nutty depth that pairs perfectly with dark chocolate chunks.
Then you swirl in creamy peanut butter right before baking. It creates these gorgeous ribbons that taste even better than they look.
Brown Butter Makes Everything Better
You’ll cook the butter until it turns golden and smells like toasted nuts. This takes about 5 minutes over medium heat. Watch for those brown bits at the bottom – that’s where all the flavor lives. Let it cool for 10 minutes before mixing with your sugars or you’ll scramble the eggs.
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Swirling Without Overmixing
Drop spoonfuls of peanut butter across the batter surface. Use a knife to create figure-8 patterns, cutting through the peanut butter layers. Don’t go crazy here – 8-10 swirls total. Too much mixing turns your beautiful ribbons into muddy brown streaks.
Underbaking Prevents Dry Blondies
Pull them when the center still looks slightly underdone. The edges should be set and pulling away slightly from the pan. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs. They’ll continue cooking in the hot pan for another 10 minutes.
Getting Perfect Peanut Butter Ribbons
- Warm the peanut butter for 20 seconds in the microwave if it’s too thick to swirl smoothly.
- Cut with a plastic knife to prevent dragging the peanut butter swirls through the blondies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which chocolate works best for chunks?
Use 60-70% dark chocolate bars chopped into irregular pieces. Chocolate chips won’t create the same melty pockets because they’re designed to hold their shape.
How long do these stay fresh?
Store covered at room temperature for 4 days or refrigerate for up to a week. The peanut butter swirls actually taste better after a day.
Will natural peanut butter work for swirling?
Stick with regular creamy peanut butter. Natural versions are too oily and won’t create clean ribbons when you swirl them through the batter.
Highly Recommended
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Blondies
Ingredients
Swirl
Equipment Needed
- 9×13 inch baking pan
- Medium saucepan
- Large mixing bowl
- Wire cooling rack
Instructions
- Prepare pan: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
- Brown butter: Cook butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat for 5-6 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden brown with a nutty aroma. Pour into a large bowl and cool 10 minutes.
- Mix wet ingredients: Whisk both sugars into the cooled brown butter until combined. Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder. Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined. Stir in chocolate chunks.
- Prepare peanut butter swirl: Mix peanut butter, powdered sugar, and milk in a small bowl until smooth and spreadable.
- Layer batters: Spread blondie batter evenly in prepared pan. Drop spoonfuls of peanut butter mixture across the surface.
- Create swirls: Use a knife to create figure-8 swirl patterns through the peanut butter, making 8-10 total swirls.
- Bake blondies: Bake 22-25 minutes until edges are set and center looks slightly underdone. Cool completely in pan before cutting.
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving (1 blondie)
