Chewy Reeses Pieces Peanut Butter Brownies

Imagine sinking your teeth into a decadent, fudgy brownie packed with creamy peanut butter swirls and the colorful crunch of Reeses Pieces candies. These Chewy Reeses Pieces Peanut Butter Brownies are the ultimate treat for anyone who loves the classic chocolate-peanut butter combination. The rich chocolate base provides the perfect canvas for ribbons of peanut butter and the candy-coated surprises throughout. You’ll learn how to create bakery-worthy brownies with that perfect chewy texture, gorgeous marbled appearance, and irresistible flavor that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Chewy Reeses Pieces Peanut Butter Brownies are guaranteed to become your new favorite indulgence for several compelling reasons. First, the texture is absolute perfection—crisp, paper-thin tops give way to incredibly fudgy centers that retain that coveted chewiness even days after baking. The marriage of dark chocolate brownie batter with creamy peanut butter creates a symphony of flavors that’s both sophisticated and nostalgic.

What makes these brownies truly special is the addition of Reeses Pieces, which add delightful pops of color, sweetness, and texture throughout each bite. Unlike regular peanut butter brownies, these candies keep their shape during baking, creating little pockets of surprise.

Even better, this recipe is remarkably forgiving for bakers of all skill levels. The one-bowl brownie base comes together in minutes, and the marbling technique creates a professional-looking dessert without any special equipment. They’re impressive enough for gatherings but simple enough for a weeknight treat when chocolate cravings strike.

Ingredients

For the Chewy Reeses Pieces Peanut Butter Brownies, you’ll need:

• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup (85g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (180g) smooth peanut butter, divided
• 1 cup (170g) Reeses Pieces candies, plus 1/4 cup for topping
• 1/2 cup (85g) semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

The cocoa powder provides deep chocolate flavor—Dutch-processed gives a richer result, but regular works perfectly too. For the peanut butter, choose a commercial brand like Jif or Skippy rather than natural varieties that can separate. The Reeses Pieces should be the classic candy-coated ones, not the mini unwrapped cups, for the best texture contrast.

Pro Tips

Achieving the perfect Chewy Reeses Pieces Peanut Butter Brownies requires attention to a few critical techniques. First, don’t overmix your batter after adding the dry ingredients. Stir just until the flour disappears—overmixing develops gluten, which creates cake-like brownies instead of the desired chewy texture. A few small lumps are completely fine.

Temperature matters tremendously when creating the peanut butter swirl. Microwave your peanut butter for 20-30 seconds until it’s just warm and fluid, but not hot. This allows it to marble beautifully without sinking into the batter. When swirling, less is more—use a knife or toothpick and make just 5-6 figure-eight motions through the batter. Over-swirling will blend the peanut butter completely rather than creating distinct ribbons.

The most crucial tip involves baking time. For truly chewy brownies, you must slightly underbake them. When a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter), they’re perfect. Remember that brownies continue cooking from residual heat after removal from the oven, so err on the side of less baking time rather than more. This creates that perfect fudgy center while maintaining chewy edges.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal. Lightly spray the parchment with cooking spray. This preparation ensures your Chewy Reeses Pieces Peanut Butter Brownies won’t stick and will lift out perfectly for clean cutting later.

Step 2: Make The Brownie Batter
In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter completely. Whisk in the sugar until well combined (this helps create that shiny, crackly top!). Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition until the mixture becomes light and slightly frothy. Stir in vanilla extract. Sift in cocoa powder, then add flour and salt, folding gently until just combined. The batter will be thick and glossy at this stage.

Step 3: Prepare The Peanut Butter Swirl
Warm 1/2 cup of the peanut butter in the microwave for 20-30 seconds until it becomes pourable. Set aside. Fold 3/4 cup of the Reeses Pieces and optional chocolate chips into the brownie batter, reserving the rest for topping.

Step 4: Assemble The Brownies
Pour about 2/3 of the brownie batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly into the corners. Drop spoonfuls of the warmed peanut butter over the batter. Add the remaining brownie batter in dollops over the peanut butter layer. Drop the remaining 1/4 cup peanut butter in small dollops across the top.

Step 5: Create The Swirl And Finish
Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the batters together with just a few figure-eight motions for that beautiful marbled effect. Don’t overdo this step—you want distinct swirls of peanut butter. Sprinkle the remaining Reeses Pieces over the top, pressing them slightly into the batter.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection
Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the edges are set but the center still looks slightly underdone. A toothpick inserted should come out with a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting out using the parchment paper overhang. For the cleanest cuts, refrigerate for at least an hour before slicing into squares.

Variations

Triple Chocolate Version
For chocolate enthusiasts, transform these Chewy Reeses Pieces Peanut Butter Brownies into a triple chocolate sensation. Add 1/2 cup white chocolate chips along with the semi-sweet chips to the batter. Then substitute Reeses peanut butter cups (chopped) for half of the Reeses Pieces. The white chocolate adds creamy sweetness while the cups introduce more chocolate and peanut butter pockets throughout the brownies, creating an even more indulgent dessert.

Gluten-Free Adaptation
These brownies are easily made gluten-free without sacrificing their signature chewiness. Simply replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend (look for varieties containing xanthan gum). Add 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t include it to maintain the perfect texture. Double-check that your Reeses Pieces are gluten-free, as manufacturing processes can vary by region.

Salted Caramel Enhancement
For a sophisticated twist, drizzle 1/3 cup of salted caramel sauce over the brownie batter before adding the peanut butter swirl. The caramel adds complexity and enhances the chewy texture while complementing both the chocolate and peanut butter flavors beautifully. Finish with a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top before baking for the perfect sweet-salty balance.

Storage and Serving

Your Chewy Reeses Pieces Peanut Butter Brownies will maintain their perfect texture for up to 3 days when stored at room temperature in an airtight container. Place sheets of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week—though the brownies will become slightly more fudge-like (still delicious, just different texture).

For an elegant dessert presentation, warm individual brownie squares for 15 seconds in the microwave and top with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The contrast between the warm, chewy brownie and cold, creamy ice cream is unbeatable. Drizzle with a little warmed peanut butter for restaurant-worthy presentation.

These brownies also make an excellent base for a brownie sundae bar. Set out warm brownies with different ice cream flavors (coffee and salted caramel work particularly well), chocolate sauce, crushed Reeses Pieces, whipped cream, and chopped peanuts to let guests create personalized desserts. For packed lunches or picnics, these brownies travel exceptionally well and provide a perfect sweet ending.

FAQs

Why are my brownies cakey instead of chewy?
Cakey brownies usually result from overmixing the batter or using too much flour. For the chewiest Reeses Pieces Peanut Butter Brownies, mix just until ingredients are combined and be precise with your flour measurement (preferably using a kitchen scale). Also, slightly underbaking is key to maintaining chewiness.

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth?
Yes, crunchy peanut butter works well if you enjoy additional texture. It creates a more rustic swirl pattern and adds tiny bits of peanut throughout. However, you may need to warm it slightly longer to achieve the right consistency for swirling.

How do I know when brownies are done without overbaking?
Perfect brownies will have a set edge that’s pulling away slightly from the pan, while the center should still look slightly underdone. A toothpick inserted 2 inches from the edge should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter. Remember that residual heat continues cooking them after removal from the oven.

Can I freeze these brownies?
Absolutely! These Chewy Reeses Pieces Peanut Butter Brownies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Cut into portions, wrap individually in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature for about 1-2 hours before serving, or microwave for 20-30 seconds for that just-baked warmth.

Why did my Reeses Pieces melt and disappear?
If your Reeses Pieces disappeared during baking, your oven temperature might be too high. Use an oven thermometer to verify your oven’s accuracy. Also, folding the candies into the batter rather than mixing vigorously helps maintain their integrity, as does reserving some to sprinkle on top during the last few minutes of baking.

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