Just in time for Valentine’s Day, I’ve got the perfect homemade treat for you (and the one you love)! These Peanut Butter Brownie Bars would also make a fun little treat to share with teachers and neighbors in honor of the upcoming “day of love,” especially if you’re me and you’ve made this recipe three times in the last week in order to get it just right. :) I can assure you though, the final outcome was worth the wait. It’s hard to beat that perfect combination of sweet chocolate and salty peanut butter! (Oh, and if you’re new here, FYI, the refined sugar in this recipe does break the rules, but it’s something we don’t mind in an occasional homemade treat now that our official 100-day pledge is over.)
Whole-Wheat Peanut Butter Brownie Bars
Just in time for Valentine's Day, I've got the perfect homemade treat for you! These Peanut Butter Brownie Bars would also make a fun little treat to share.
Ingredients
Brownie Layer
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup whole-wheat flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, I highly prefer the super dark variety
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 stick butter, melted
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Peanut Butter Layer
- 1 cup peanut butter, could sub almond butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 inch square baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
Brownie Layer
- In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Make a well (hole) in the center and drop in the butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix together thoroughly and then fold in the chocolate chips with a rubber spatula. Spread in one even layer on the bottom of the parchment-lined baking dish.
Peanut Butter Layer
- In another large bowl, mix together everything except the chocolate chips until thoroughly combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Carefully spread on top of the brownie layer in the baking dish. I find it's best to drop clumps in various locations on top of the brownie batter to help get an even spread without mixing the two together.
- Bake until golden brown on top, about 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool. Holding the parchment paper, lift out of the pan. Cut into squares and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
Nutrition Facts
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Can I make these with honey or maple syrup and real peanut butter?
Hi there. We’ve not tried to make this recipe with honey or maple syrup.
We looove these! The last time I made them, I used half melted butter and half melted coconut oil. It worked well so next time I think I will only use coconut oil (and no butter!). I also used half white sugar and half coconut sugar for the brownie part and next time think I’ll cut out the white sugar completely and just use coconut sugar. I’m also thinking about using a chia or flax egg in place of one or more of the eggs. Thanks for this great (and delicious!) recipe!
I’m dairy free so I’m glad to hear coconut oil works!!
We love these brownies a lot! I was looking to see how many carbs are in a serving size? My dad watches carbs because of diabetes. So I was curious if anyone knew how many carbs per serving these brownies have? Thanks in advance.
Hi there. We do not provide nutrition details. This post helps explain the philosophy behind that.
i have tried this recipe for my kids more than three times; every time its like they are having it for the first time yummy and delicious. thumbs up
Delishious. Savory and sweet.
OK, these hit the spot! Loved them!
These are delicious, my family loves them. I modified it a bit using Coconut Palm Sugar in place of the sugar and coconut oil in place of the butter in the brownie layer.
I made these tonight and LOVED them. I substituted the sugar for honey and they still tasted great. Looking forward to seeing what my 2 year old thinks, my husband thought they were ok. Which is fine by me….I will enjoy this treat by myself!!
Did you have to make any other adjustments to the recipe because you used honey? I like to use honey instead of sugar as well.
Made these today. They were delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Super excited to try this recipe! I just started baking with whole wheat flour and am having a difficult time selling to the hubby. Hopefully this one will make him smile :)
My family loved these!!!! I did not use the dark cocoa and I even took some to work and they were all gone in minutes!! thank you!
These were okay, but for the amount of sugar that this recipe calls for they are not worth it. If you do make them take them out at 30 mins.
Aw, I wanted so much to love these but they were not hit with my family. I think the cakey texture and the peanut butter/chocolate combo itself just wasn’t for us. I’ll stick with your 5 Minute Brownies – they are our favorites for sure!
These look delish and easy! Will definitely be making these soon!
Oh my goodness these look so delicious!!
Made these yesterday with homemade peanut butter and they turned out great and they are all gone! Everyone loved them! Thank you!
Made these for Valentine’s Day, and they were a hit. A nice treat!
I got the Real Food Cookbook for Christmas, and I have made about 10 recipes between the book an the blog so far – love it!
We have a soy and peanut allergy in our family. I can use our soy free choc chips, but have you ever had anyone make with sunflower butter?
Hi Molly. Other readers have switched up the nut butter. I think it will work. :)
I made this in an 8X8 for the family, but would like to bring it to a gathering…I plan on doubling the ingredients and wondered if the baking time would be the same? Thanks, it was very tasty!!!
….and if you just use 2 8X8s, you don’t need to adjust the cooking time at all. :)
I usually double 8 x 8 recipes into a 13 x 9 pan with great results. I usually cook it for the shortest amount of time and just really watch it.
Great recipe. I made it gluten free by using buckwheat flour. My son said he could eat 15 pieces. That means it is a great recipe. A wonderful valentine treat and easy to make.