The Ultimate Reese’s Stuffed Brownies: A Chocolate and Peanut Butter Revelation

If you’ve ever found yourself torn between the rich, fudgy decadence of a brownie and the sweet, salty perfection of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, we have glorious news. Your days of choosing are over. Welcome to the ultimate dessert mash-up: The Ultimate Reese’s Stuffed Brownies. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a chocolate and peanut butter revelation, where a layer of gooey peanut butter filling and whole Reese’s cups are enveloped in the most luxurious, dense, and fudgy brownie batter. The result? A dessert so profoundly delicious, so texturally perfect, that it redefines what a brownie can be. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or treating yourself, this recipe is surprisingly straightforward, even for beginner bakers. Get ready to create the stuff of legends.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering high-quality ingredients is the first step to brownie bliss. Here’s everything required to make one 9×13 inch pan of these phenomenal stuffed brownies.

For the Fudgy Brownie Batter:

• 1 cup (2 sticks / 226g) Unsalted Butter: Melted. This gives rich flavor and a fudgy texture.
• 2 cups (400g) Granulated Sugar: For sweetness and that classic crackly top.
• 4 large Eggs: At room temperature. They bind the batter and contribute to structure.
• 1 tablespoon Pure Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the chocolate and peanut butter flavors.
• 1 cup (85g) Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Use a good-quality cocoa powder for deep chocolate flavor.
• 1 ¼ cups (156g) All-Purpose Flour: The foundation. Don’t over-measure; spoon and level it.
• ½ teaspoon Salt: Crucial for balancing sweetness.
• ½ teaspoon Baking Powder: Just a touch for a slight lift.
• 1 cup (175g) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: For extra pockets of melty chocolate.

For the Peanut Butter Filling & Assembly:

• 1 cup (250g) Creamy Peanut Butter: Use a standard, no-stir kind (like Jif or Skippy) for best consistency.
• ½ cup (65g) Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the peanut butter layer.
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract: For the peanut butter filling.
• 1 (8 oz) package Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Miniatures: Unwrapped. You’ll need about 36 cups.
• Optional for garnish: Extra melted peanut butter, sea salt flakes, or chopped Reese’s cups.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Don’t be intimidated by the layers the process is simple and methodical. Follow these numbered steps for foolproof success.

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan thoroughly with butter or non-stick spray. For easy removal, you can line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides.

Step 2: Make the Peanut Butter Filling

In a medium bowl, combine the 1 cup of creamy peanut butter, ½ cup of powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir with a spatula or spoon until completely smooth and well combined. It will be thick and paste-like. Set this aside.

Step 3: Create the Fudgy Brownie Batter

1. In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the 2 sticks of butter. Let it cool for a minute.
2. Whisk the 2 cups of granulated sugar into the melted butter until combined.
3. Add the 4 eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Then whisk in the 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract.
4. Sift in the 1 cup of cocoa powder, 1 ¼ cups of flour, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon baking powder. This sifting step prevents lumps.
5. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Fold in the 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Step 4: Assemble the Layers

This is where the magic happens!

1. Spread half of the brownie batter into the bottom of your prepared pan. Use a spatula to smooth it into an even layer. This can be tricky as the batter is thick; lightly wetting your spatula helps.
2. Take dollops of the peanut butter filling and distribute them evenly over the brownie layer. Gently spread it as best you can—it doesn’t need to be perfect, as it will soften during baking.
3. Now, place the unwrapped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Miniatures in a single, snug layer over the peanut butter filling. Cover the entire surface.
4. Carefully spread the remaining brownie batter over the top of the Reese’s cups. This is the trickiest part. Drop spoonfuls of batter all over and then gently connect and smooth them. It’s okay if a few peanut butter cups peek through.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Place the pan in the center of your preheated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes. The key is to not overbake. The brownies are done when the top is set and a toothpick inserted into the brownie part (avoid pushing it all the way down into a Reese’s cup) comes out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.

Step 6: Cool Completely (The Hardest Step!)

This is critical for clean slices. Let the brownies cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 1-2 hours. For the absolute cleanest cuts, you can refrigerate them for an additional hour after they’ve reached room temperature. The layers will set, and you’ll get that beautiful, defined cross-section.

Useful Tips for Brownie Mastery

• Room Temperature Eggs: Using eggs straight from the fridge can cause the melted butter to seize up. Let them sit out for 30 minutes first.
• Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix until the last streak of flour disappears. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to cakey, tough brownies.
• Pan Size Matters: Using a smaller pan will result in much thicker brownies that need a longer bake time. A larger pan will make thinner ones that bake faster. Stick to 9×13 for the results pictured.
• The Toothpick Test: Trust the crumb, not a clean toothpick. A clean pick means overbaked, dry brownies.
• Cutting Cleanly: Use a sharp chef’s knife. For extremely clean lines, wipe the knife with a hot, damp cloth between each cut.
• Storage: Keep brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or in the fridge for up to a week. They also freeze beautifully for up to 3 months.

Conclusion: Your New Go-To Showstopper Dessert

There you have it the definitive guide to creating The Ultimate Reese’s Stuffed Brownies. This recipe successfully marries two iconic treats into one unforgettable dessert experience that is guaranteed to impress. The process is a fun kitchen project with a reward that far outweighs the effort.

So, what are you waiting for? Preheat that oven, unwrap those Reese’s cups, and prepare to witness the joyous reaction of everyone who tries a piece. This isn’t just a brownie; it’s a statement. A statement that says you believe in the powerful, perfect union of chocolate and peanut butter. Don’t just dream about them bake them, share them, and savor every single bite. Happy baking