Peanut Butter Fudge Brownies

So I'm pretty sure that the other day I made my favorite peanut butter fudge brownies that I have had so far! Now, these were actually the FIRST peanut butter fudge brownies that I have made, but I have looked at so many gosh darn recipes of them because I have been wanting to make them for months now, so I finally broke down and baked them. The reason that it took me so long to whip up a batch of these brownies is because Josh doesn't like peanut butter, and I knew this treat would be way to rich for my dad's liking, and I rely heavily on those guys to eat the majority of the treats that I make so that I will only have a few... SO... I have been waiting for the perfect time to make these so that I could share them with lots of friends! And, I figured that my roommate Karlie's birthday bbq was very appropriate :) All the girls of Apt. #6 always request a treat with the combination of peanut butter and chocolate. I'm pretty sure this is why we are such perfect roommates.

Anyways, these are sooo good! I know that I usually say that about everything that I make, but it's always true! These brownies were very fudgy, chocolaty, peanut buttery, and simply divine. The peanut butter filling in the middle tastes like a really yummy peanut butter cookie, which pairs perfectly with a warm, gooey brownie. It's like a brownie and peanut butter cookie sandwich. Yum. Perfect. Oh and don't forget the chocolate/peanut butter glaze on top! Three words- To die for. Seriously, this peanut butter fudge brownie recipe was heavenly... and dangerous. Don't make these if you are home alone all day. SCARY.

Peanut Butter Fudge Brownies
(The Sisters' Cafe Blog)

Batter
1 ½ c. sugar
½ c. butter (1 stick) softened
½ c. oil
1 T. vanilla
3 eggs
1 ¼ c. flour
¾ c. cocoa powder
¾ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 c. peanut butter chips (or choc chips)

Filling
1 c. creamy peanut butter
¼ c. vegetable oil
¼ c. sugar
2 T. flour
2 eggs
½ tsp vanilla

Frosting
1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips or 2 TBSP cocoa powder
3 T. creamy peanut butter
1 ½ c. powdered sugar
¼ c. water
½ tsp vanilla
¼ tsp salt

Batter: Preheat oven to 350 and spray 9x13-inch pan. In large bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add oil and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. In a small bowl combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt - blend well. While beating, gradually add flour mixture to creamed mixture – mix well. Fold in chips. Evenly spread ½ batter into pan.

Filling: In a small bowl cream together peanut butter and oil. Add sugar and flour – blend well. Add eggs and vanilla – beat until smooth. Carefully spread filling evenly over batter in pan. Top filling with remaining ½ batter and spread evenly. Gently cut through layers to create marble effect throughout brownies. Bake for 30 minutes – do not over bake.

Frosting: While baking, in a medium saucepan, melt chocolate and peanut butter over LOW heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in remaining ingredients – mix until smooth. If frosting is too thick, add 1-3 T. water. Spread frosting over brownies immediately after baking. Cool in pan 2-3 hours before serving.