Okay, so you know those days when you just NEED something sweet, like, RIGHT NOW, but you also really, really don’t want to make a huge mess or spend hours rummaging through your pantry? That’s totally me, like, all the time. And that’s exactly why these 5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Brownies are my absolute jam. Seriously, just five simple ingredients that you probably already have sitting around? It feels like magic. I swear, I whip these up when a serious craving hits and they’re done before I can even finish my coffee. They’re fudgy, they’re packed with peanut butter goodness, and they are ridiculously easy!
Why You’ll Love These 5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Brownies
Honestly, what’s not to adore about these little squares of joy? Here’s why they’re about to become your new best friend in the kitchen:
- Super Speedy: Seriously, you can have them mixed and in the oven in about 10 minutes flat.
- Minimal Mess: Just one bowl and a handful of ingredients means less cleanup – my favorite kind of baking.
- Fewest Ingredients Ever: Only five! You probably have them right now.
- Crazy Delicious: They’re perfectly chewy, peanut-buttery, and utterly satisfying.
Gather Your Simple Ingredients for 5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Brownies
Okay, so the beauty of these brownies is that the ingredient list is ridiculously short. You really only need five things! I like to make sure everything is ready to go before I even start mixing, it just makes everything flow so much better. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter: This is the star of the show, so don’t skimp! I find a good creamy, un-natural peanut butter works best for that classic brownie texture, but we’ll chat more about that later.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Just your regular white sugar is perfect here. It’s going to give our brownies just the right amount of sweetness and help them get that lovely crust.
- 2 large eggs: Make sure these are at room temperature. Trust me on this one, it makes a HUGE difference in how well everything combines.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: This little drop of magic just boosts all the other flavors and adds that warm bakery smell.
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour: I usually just use my standard all-purpose flour. No need to get fancy here, but if you want to sift it, go for it – it can make the batter a bit smoother!
See? Totally easy stuff you can probably grab from your pantry right now. Happy baking!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making 5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Brownies
Alright, let’s get to the fun part! Making these 5-ingredient peanut butter brownies is honestly a breeze. You’ll be amazed at how quickly these come together. Grab your mixing bowl and let’s do this! It’s almost as easy as making these chocolate lava cakes, but with that amazing peanut butter goodness.
Preparing Your Baking Pan
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, grab an 8×8 inch baking pan. It’s super important to grease and flour this properly. I like to use a little cooking spray and then a dusting of flour, or even a bit of butter and flour. This is your insurance policy against sticky brownies, trust me!
Mixing the Peanut Butter and Sugar Base
In your medium-sized bowl, dump in that gooey peanut butter and the granulated sugar. Now, just mix them together until they’re really, really well combined. You want it to look smooth and sort of creamy. If your peanut butter is a little stiff, just give it a good stir until it’s all uniform.
Incorporating Eggs and Vanilla
Next up, we add the eggs. Crack them in one at a time, giving them a good whisk or stir after each addition until they’re fully blended into the peanut butter mixture. Then, stir in that teaspoon of vanilla extract. It adds such a lovely background flavor that really makes the peanut butter shine!
Adding the Flour and Final Mix
Now for the flour! Add it gradually and mix until it’s *just* combined. Seriously, this is the most important part: DO NOT OVERMIX. Overmixing will make your brownies tough, and nobody wants that. Stop mixing as soon as you don’t see any dry flour streaks. A few little lumps are totally fine!
Baking Your Delicious Brownies
Spread your batter evenly into that prepared pan. Now, pop it into your preheated oven and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes. You’re looking for them to be done when a toothpick inserted right into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. That’s the sweet spot – not wet batter, but not completely dry either. We want chewy!
Cooling for Perfect Texture
This is where patience really pays off! Let those gorgeous brownies cool down completely in the pan on a wire rack before even thinking about cutting them. I know, I know, it’s torture when they smell this good, but if you try to cut them too soon, they’ll just fall apart. Letting them cool makes them hold their shape perfectly. So, resist the urge and be rewarded with perfect squares!
Tips for the Best 5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Brownies
Even with just five ingredients, a few little tricks can take your 5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Brownies from good to absolutely spectacular. These are the secrets I’ve picked up over the years that make sure they turn out perfectly chewy and peanut-buttery every single time. You can find more yummy dessert ideas here!
Peanut Butter Choice Matters
Okay, so here’s the deal with peanut butter. While natural peanut butter is great for, well, eating with a spoon, it can make these brownies a bit oily or crumbly. I really recommend using a standard creamy peanut butter – the kind you’d usually spread on toast. It has the right amount of emulsifiers to keep everything nicely together and give you that classic chewy texture.
Ingredient Temperature is Key
This is a biggie! Make sure your eggs are at room temperature. Seriously, it makes a world of difference. Cold eggs can seize up the fats in the peanut butter and sugar mixture, making it harder to get that smooth, cohesive batter we want. Just let them sit on the counter for about 30 minutes before you start baking, and you’ll see how much easier everything mixes!
Don’t Overmix the Batter
I can’t stress this enough: once that flour goes in, mix *just* until it disappears. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, and that’s what makes baked goods tough and chewy in a not-so-good way. We’re going for fudgy and tender here, so as soon as you don’t see any dry flour, stop mixing. A few little lumps are perfectly fine!
Variations and Add-Ins for Your Brownies
Now, as much as I love these 5-ingredient peanut butter brownies just as they are, sometimes a girl just wants to shake things up a bit, right? And guess what? These little guys are super adaptable! You can totally jazz them up with a few extra bits. You know, like how they did with that amazing caramel brownie cheesecake – taking something good and making it even more wow!
My absolute go-to is adding a cup of chocolate chips – dark, milk, white, whatever your heart desires! Just stir them in with the flour. Or, a handful of chopped peanuts or walnuts can add a fun crunch. Another favorite trick of mine? Swirl in a spoonful of raspberry or strawberry jam right before baking. It adds a delicious fruity tang that’s just divine with the peanut butter. Get creative!
Serving Suggestions
These 5-ingredient peanut butter brownies are perfect just as they are, warm or at room temperature. But here are a few ideas to make them even more special! They are absolutely divine with a tall, cold glass of milk on the side. Or, if you’re feeling a bit more decadent, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream melting over a warm brownie is pure heaven. Coffee lovers, you can’t go wrong with a rich cup of coffee alongside these too. Honestly, they’re delicious any way you slice ’em!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Got leftovers? Lucky you! To keep these amazing 5-ingredient peanut butter brownies fresh, just pop them into an airtight container. They’ll stay wonderfully moist and delicious at room temperature for about 2-3 days. If you want to revive them a bit after that, just pop a square in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. They come out warm and gooey again, almost like they’re fresh from the oven!
Frequently Asked Questions
Got a burning question about these super simple treats? I’ve got you covered! Here are some things people often ask about my famous 5-ingredient peanut butter brownies:
Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
You sure can! Using crunchy peanut butter will just add little bits of nuttiness and texture throughout your brownies. They’ll be just as delicious, maybe even a little more interesting!
Can I make these brownies vegan?
This recipe relies on eggs for structure, so making them truly vegan would require some substitutions, like flax eggs. While possible, it might change the texture a bit compared to this specific 5-ingredient version!
How do I know when the brownies are done?
The best way is the trusty toothpick test! Pop one into the center. You want to see moist crumbs clinging to it – that means they’re perfectly chewy. If it comes out totally clean, they might be a little overbaked. If it’s wet batter, they need more time!
Can I add chocolate chips to these 5-ingredient brownies?
Oh, absolutely! Who doesn’t love chocolate and peanut butter together? Just stir in about a cup of your favorite chocolate chips along with the flour. They’re a fantastic addition!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Now, keep in mind these numbers are just estimates, okay? Different brands of peanut butter or sugar can change things up a bit. But, generally, one of these yummy 5-ingredient peanut butter brownies will have around 180 calories, about 9g of fat, 1g of fiber, and 4g of protein. They’re pretty much packed with good stuff!
Share Your 5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Brownie Creations!
Now that you’ve (hopefully!) whipped up a batch of these ridiculously easy 5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Brownies, I’d absolutely LOVE to hear about it! Did you try them? Did they disappear in minutes? Please, leave me a comment below and tell me all about it! And hey, if you snapped a pic, tag me on social media – I’d love to see your creations! You can also share your thoughts or any other dessert ideas via my contact page. Happy baking, friends!
Print
5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Brownies
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: 16 squares
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Simple and quick peanut butter brownies made with only five ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8×8 inch baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the peanut butter and sugar until well combined.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the flour and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use natural peanut butter.
- You can add chocolate chips for extra indulgence.
- Ensure your ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
