MAMA’S FROSTED PEANUT BUTTER BROWNIES

My mom’s frosted brownies were always a favorite of mine at family cookouts. They were so moist and rich, and the perfect base for a bowl of homemade ice cream. Peanut butter and chocolate are two of my most favorite things in this world. So naturally I combined the two ingredients to make these fudgy, irresistible brownies.

BROWNIES

½ cup (1 stick) butter

½ cup smooth peanut butter

½ cup firmly packed brown sugar

½ cup white sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour

¼ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon baking powder

CHOCOLATE GANACHE

3 tablespoons heavy cream

1 cup chopped dark chocolate bar

½ teaspoon sea salt

For the brownies, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in the peanut butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until they are well combined. Remove the saucepan from the heat.

Stir in the egg and vanilla, and mix well. Add the flour, salt, and baking powder, and stir until just combined. Pour the batter in an 8-inch square baking dish, and bake the brownies for 30 to 32 minutes. Remove from the oven, and let the brownies cool completely on a wire rack.

For the ganache, place the cream in a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave for 1 minute. Place the chopped chocolate in a bowl. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate, and whisk until the chocolate is melted.

Spread the ganache over the cooled brownies, and sprinkle with sea salt. Cut into squares, and serve.

MAKES 16 SERVINGS.