Irresistible Peanut Butter Reese’s Cup Blondies: Your Ultimate Gooey, Chewy Treat
Sink your teeth into thick, incredibly gooey peanut butter blondies, generously studded with an abundance of mini Reese’s peanut butter cups. This is more than just a dessert; it’s a peanut butter lover’s dream come true.
Peanut butter. Just the word itself evokes a sense of comfort, nostalgia, and undeniable deliciousness. For many, it’s a culinary obsession, a staple that can transform a simple snack into something extraordinary. When that insistent craving for something sweet, rich, and utterly satisfying strikes, nothing quite measures up to the deep, nutty flavor of peanut butter. It’s a flavor that transcends mere sweetness, offering a delightful balance of savory notes that keep you coming back for more.
This exceptional peanut butter blondie recipe takes that beloved flavor and amplifies it by combining peanut butter in not one, but two glorious forms. We’re talking about the smooth, creamy peanut butter straight from the jar, creating the rich base, complemented by an abundance of those iconic, melt-in-your-mouth mini Reese’s peanut butter cups. That’s right, a generous amount of them – ensuring a burst of chocolate and peanut butter goodness in every single bite.
Imagine this: double the peanut butter. That means double the fun, double the flavor, and undoubtedly, double the deliciousness. This isn’t just a snack; it’s an experience, a celebration of all things peanut butter.
The Craving That Sparked a Masterpiece: Crafting the Ultimate Peanut Butter Blondie
These thick, dense, and utterly irresistible peanut butter blondies weren’t born out of a casual whim. Oh no, they were the direct outcome of a fierce, unyielding craving for peanut butter. It was one of those intense yearnings that simply couldn’t be satisfied by the usual methods – not even by my go-to, comforting habit of eating peanut butter by the spoonful straight from the jar. This was a craving that demanded something more, something richer, something utterly indulgent.
Driven by this urgent desire, I hastily grabbed a bowl – just one, mind you, because simplicity is key when a craving hits – and gathered the essential ingredients for blondies. With a determined spirit, I got to whisking, mixing, and preparing what I knew would be the perfect cure for my sweet tooth. The process was quick, a testament to the recipe’s straightforward nature.
Just thirty minutes later, the kitchen was filled with the intoxicating aroma of rich, dense, and gloriously gooey peanut butter blondies. The wait for them to cool was agonizing, a mere 10 minutes of impatient pacing, but absolutely necessary to ensure they could be popped out of the pan cleanly. And then, finally, the moment arrived. The first bite. Rich, sweet, chewy, and bursting with peanut butter flavor, these blondies delivered everything promised and more.
And with that first heavenly taste, all was right with the world again.
The Undeniable Advantages of a One-Bowl Wonder
Let’s talk about efficiency and sheer genius. Here’s a universal truth for any home baker: a recipe that requires only one bowl is, unequivocally, the best kind of recipe. Why? Because it caters to our innate desire for simplicity, especially when the baking impulse strikes at the most unexpected times.
Speaking from experience, I’m often prone to a touch of laziness, or perhaps more accurately, an appreciation for streamlined processes. When your brain decides, at 9 o’clock at night, that it absolutely *must* have peanut butter blondies, and it won’t quiet down until it gets them, the last thing you want is a mountain of dishes to scrub. That’s precisely why minimizing cleanup is paramount. A single bowl means less washing, less fuss, and more time to savor your delicious creations. This recipe is a hero for those moments, allowing you to whip up a batch of these divine treats without sacrificing your precious evening to kitchen duty.
More Than Just a Treat: The Peanut Butter Blondie Experience
Another undeniable fact: one peanut butter blondie just isn’t enough. Seriously. These aren’t your average, light-as-air cookies. These are substantial, satisfying, and so deeply flavorful that a single serving will only whet your appetite for more. Prepare to indulge in at least two, or perhaps even three – because when something is this good, restraint becomes a distant memory.
The magic truly happens with the combination of the rich, chewy peanut butter base and those delightful mini Reese’s peanut butter cups. Every bite is an explosion of flavor and texture – the smooth creaminess of the peanut butter, the slight chew of the blondie itself, and then the surprise pockets of melty chocolate and more peanut butter from the Reese’s cups. It’s a symphony for the taste buds, powerful enough to not only kick your craving but to keep you blissfully satisfied for hours. This isn’t just a dessert; it’s a deep, comforting hug in edible form.
Tips for Achieving Peanut Butter Blondie Perfection
While this recipe is incredibly forgiving and simple, a few tips can elevate your blondies from great to absolutely legendary:
- Quality Ingredients Matter: Use a good quality creamy peanut butter. While natural peanut butter can work, ensure it’s well-stirred and not too oily. For the best texture, a conventional creamy peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) often yields the most consistent results in baking.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix until just combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tougher blondie instead of that desirable chewy, gooey texture we’re aiming for.
- The Art of Baking: Blondies are best when slightly underbaked. You want the edges to be lightly golden brown and set, but the center should still look a little soft and perhaps a tiny bit wet. This ensures that signature gooey interior. Remember, they’ll continue to set as they cool.
- Cooling is Crucial: Patience is truly a virtue when it comes to blondies. Cooling them in the pan for at least 10 minutes allows them to firm up enough to be removed without falling apart. Transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely (if you can wait!) helps them achieve their final perfect texture.
Serving Suggestions & Storage
These Peanut Butter Reese’s Cup Blondies are incredibly versatile. They are phenomenal enjoyed warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an extra layer of indulgence. The warm blondie melts the ice cream slightly, creating a truly decadent treat. They also pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a hot cup of coffee, or even a rich hot chocolate.
To store your delightful creations, place them in an airtight container or a resealable bag at room temperature. They will remain fresh, chewy, and delicious for up to 5 days. If you want to extend their life, they can also be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Just thaw them at room temperature or warm them gently in the microwave for a few seconds when you’re ready to enjoy that amazing peanut butter goodness again.
Peanut Butter Reese’s Cup Blondies
These thick, gooey peanut butter blondies are generously loaded with mini Reese’s peanut butter cups, offering a double dose of your favorite nutty flavor in every delightful bite. An easy, one-bowl recipe for the ultimate sweet craving!
Yield: 10-12 blondies
Total Time: 25 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
1/4 cup (57g) unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup (128g) creamy peanut butter (such as Jif or Skippy)
1/2 cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup (90g) all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 (8-ounce bag) mini Reese’s peanut butter cups, roughly chopped if desired, but mini ones are perfect as is
Mini chocolate chips for topping (optional, but highly recommended for extra chocolatey goodness)
Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease and flour an 8×8 inch baking pan, or spray a muffin tin with nonstick baking spray if making individual blondies. For a square pan, line with parchment paper leaving an overhang for easy removal later.
2. In a large, microwave-safe bowl (our glorious “one bowl”), melt the unsalted butter. Add the creamy peanut butter and brown sugar to the melted butter. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
3. Whisk in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until everything is thoroughly incorporated and the mixture is light and fluffy.
4. Add the flour, kosher salt, and baking powder to the wet ingredients. With a wooden spoon or a sturdy rubber spatula, stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few streaks of flour are okay.
5. Gently fold in the entire bag of mini Reese’s peanut butter cups. Distribute them evenly throughout the batter.
6. If using a muffin tin, fill each cup about 3/4 full with the batter. If using an 8×8 inch pan, spread the batter evenly. Sprinkle with optional mini chocolate chips on top.
7. Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and set, but the center still looks slightly soft and gooey. If using a square pan, the baking time might be closer to 20-25 minutes, depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it.
8. Cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes. For individual blondies, go around each cup with a butter knife or an off-set spatula to loosen them from the pan. Gently pop each blondie from its cup and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. For a square pan, use the parchment overhang to lift the entire slab out before cutting into squares.
9. Store your delectable blondies in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for up to 5 days, though they rarely last that long!
All images and text ©One Sweet Mess.