Peanut Butter Brownie Pizza Recipe
If you have a soft spot for rich, gooey brownies combined with the creamy, nutty delight of peanut butter, then you are in for a real treat with this Peanut Butter Brownie Pizza Recipe. It’s a show-stopping dessert that feels both indulgent and playful, layering moist cake-like brownies with a luscious peanut butter cream cheese spread, topped with crunchy peanuts and the iconic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Whether you’re sharing it at a party or just treating yourself, this dessert turns classic flavors into a fun and scrumptious pizza form that everyone will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Peanut Butter Brownie Pizza Recipe lies in its simple but essential ingredients. Each component plays an important role in achieving that perfect balance of texture and flavor — from the fudgy brownie base to the silky, tangy peanut butter cream cheese, and the irresistible chocolate-peanut topping.
- Brownie mix (18.3 ounces): Choose a mix for cake-like brownies to get the perfect soft texture for the base.
- Cream cheese (8 ounces, room temperature): Adds a smooth, tangy richness to the peanut butter spread.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup): Sweetens and thickens the cream cheese mixture for easy spreading.
- Peanut butter (1 cup): The star nutty flavor that brings everything together in creamy harmony.
- Milk chocolate chips (1 cup): For melting into a glossy drizzle that adds a luscious chocolate finish.
- Coconut oil or vegetable shortening (1 teaspoon): Helps the chocolate drizzle melt smoothly and set perfectly.
- Peanuts (½ cup, coarsely chopped): Offers a satisfying crunch to complement the creamy and soft elements.
- Miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (about 20, cut into quarters): The ultimate peanut butter and chocolate candy topping to crown your pizza.
How to Make Peanut Butter Brownie Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Bake the Brownie Base
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare the brownie batter according to the package directions, specifically aiming for that cake-like consistency. Split the batter evenly into two 9-inch round pans that have been sprayed with non-stick spray and lined with parchment paper—this ensures easy removal. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes until the center is set but still moist. Once baked, let the brownies cool completely before removing them from the pans.
Step 2: Make the Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Spread
In a medium bowl, combine the room temperature cream cheese, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. Beat these ingredients together until you get a smooth, creamy texture. If the mixture feels too stiff to spread, simply add a tablespoon or two of milk to loosen it slightly. This luscious spread will be the delightful layer that adds a creamy tang balanced with peanut butter goodness.
Step 3: Assemble Your Peanut Butter Brownie Pizza
Choose one of your cooled brownie rounds as the pizza base and evenly spread the peanut butter cream cheese mixture on top like you would a pizza sauce. Be generous here—it’s the creamy heart of this recipe! Next, sprinkle the coarsely chopped peanuts and the quartered miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups all over the top for a delightful mixture of textures and flavors.
Step 4: Drizzle With Melted Chocolate
Place the milk chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for about 30 seconds. Stir thoroughly until smooth and glossy. Drizzle this luscious chocolate over your peanut-topped brownie pizza for an irresistible finishing touch. The coconut oil helps the chocolate set beautifully without becoming too hard.
Step 5: Chill and Serve
Refrigerate your creation until you’re ready to serve, allowing the flavors to meld and the chocolate drizzle to set. While it’s best enjoyed fresh, the chilled texture adds a wonderful contrast to the soft brownie and creamy peanut spread.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Brownie Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance your brownie pizza by adding a sprinkle of sea salt over the top before serving—this little trick boosts the peanut and chocolate flavors in an extraordinary way. You can also dust a light layer of cocoa powder or drizzle with extra melted peanut butter for an extra wow factor.
Side Dishes
This dessert is quite rich, so serving it alongside a fresh fruit salad or a scoop of vanilla ice cream helps balance the flavors. The cool, creamy ice cream pairs perfectly with the intense peanut butter chocolate combination for a dreamy dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting the peanut butter brownie pizza into wedges like a traditional pizza and serving it on a wooden pizza board for a fun presentation. You can also prepare mini versions using cupcake pans for individual servings at parties, making it easier for guests to grab and enjoy.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover peanut butter brownie pizza keeps well covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure it’s stored in an airtight container to prevent the cream cheese layer from drying out and the brownies from becoming too firm.
Freezing
While this recipe is best fresh, you can freeze the brownie bases separately for up to 2 months. Freeze without the peanut butter spread and toppings, then thaw when ready to assemble. After spreading and topping, keep the pizza refrigerated rather than freezing.
Reheating
If you prefer a warm dessert, reheat individual slices gently in the microwave for about 15 to 20 seconds. Be careful not to overheat as the cream cheese spread can melt and lose its texture. Alternatively, enjoy it chilled for the most refreshing experience.
FAQs
Can I use natural peanut butter for this recipe?
Yes, natural peanut butter works fine, but it might alter the consistency of the spread. You may need to add a little extra powdered sugar or milk to get the perfect spreadable texture.
Is it necessary to use cake-like brownie mix?
Using a cake-like brownie mix gives the pizza base a softer, more tender crumb which spreads and holds the toppings better. Fudge-style brownie mixes can work but might result in a denser base.
Can I substitute the cream cheese with something else?
Cream cheese provides a nice tang and smoothness that balances the sweet peanut butter. You can try mascarpone or ricotta, but expect a slightly different flavor and texture.
What’s the best way to cut the brownie pizza?
A sharp serrated knife works best to cut through the brownie cleanly without squishing the creamy topping. Chill the pizza before slicing to help it hold together nicely.
Can I make this recipe nut-free?
This recipe relies on peanut butter for its signature flavor, so it would be difficult to make it nut-free without fundamentally changing it. For nut allergies, consider alternative dessert pizzas using seed butters like sunflower seed butter instead.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Peanut Butter Brownie Pizza Recipe is a game changer when you want something that feels both special and utterly comforting. It’s perfect for sharing with family and friends, or even as a little personal indulgence. I promise once you try this rich, creamy, and crunchy treat, it will quickly become one of your go-to desserts. So grab your brownie mix, break out the peanut butter, and enjoy every delicious, chocolatey bite!
Print
Peanut Butter Brownie Pizza Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
Description
This Peanut Butter Brownie Pizza combines the rich, fudgy texture of cake-like brownies with a creamy peanut butter and cream cheese spread, topped generously with chopped peanuts, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and a drizzle of melted milk chocolate. It’s a delightful dessert perfect for peanut butter lovers and makes a fun and impressive treat for gatherings.
Ingredients
Brownie Base
- 1 (18.3 ounces) package brownie mix (for cake-like brownies)
Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Spread
- 1 (8 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup peanut butter
Toppings
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening
- ½ cup peanuts, coarsely chopped
- About 20 miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, cut into quarters
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the brownies.
- Prepare Brownie Mix: Follow the package directions on the brownie mix to make cake-like brownies. This ensures a lighter, softer brownie texture suitable for a dessert pizza.
- Prepare Pans: Spritz two 9-inch round cake pans with non-stick cooking spray, line them with parchment paper, and then spritz the parchment again to prevent sticking.
- Bake Brownies: Divide the brownie batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the center is set. Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pans before removing them to avoid breaking.
- Make Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Spread: In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and peanut butter until smooth. If the mixture is too thick to spread easily, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk to achieve a creamy consistency.
- Spread Topping: Evenly spread the peanut butter cream cheese mixture over one of the cooled brownie rounds acting as your pizza base.
- Decorate: Arrange the coarsely chopped peanuts and cut miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on top of the spread evenly.
- Melt Chocolate Drizzle: Melt the milk chocolate chips with coconut oil in the microwave for 30 seconds, stirring well afterward. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the toppings to finish.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the assembled peanut butter brownie pizza until ready to serve. It is best enjoyed immediately after chilling for optimal texture and flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute vegetable shortening for coconut oil if preferred for the chocolate drizzle.
- If your peanut butter is too thick, adding a small amount of milk helps achieve a spreadable texture for the cream cheese topping.
- Ensure the brownies are completely cooled before decorating to prevent the cream cheese mixture from melting.
- For a nut-free option, omit peanuts and substitute Reese’s with alternatives that suit dietary needs.
- Cutting the brownie pizza into wedges makes it easy to serve as individual dessert slices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
