Peanut Butter Brownie Topping

In just 5 minutes you can transform your ordinary brownies into something that will never be forgotten in the awe-struck minds of your guests. How can you pass up that opportunity? And when peanut butter is involved, doesn't that make it so much more irresistible?

 No need to keep you waiting, we'll jump right in. 

All you'll need is chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, a zip-lock bag, a pan of cooked bownies, and a microwave. 

Chocolate: You can use either white or milk chocolate chips (go ahead and try peanut butter or butterscotch chips if you'd like!) I used white here because it's what I had. If you use milk it will make darker lines and it will taste a little more chocolaty because they have a stronger flavor than white chocolate.  

Peanut Butter: Peanut Butter is life. However, I do understand that some people can't have or don't like (Actually I don't understand the latter) peanut butter. In which case you could use a different nut butter and I'm sure it would come out almost just as good. 

This link HERE is for a natural peanut butter that Skippy makes. The oils don't separate like a lot of the natural butters, so it doesn't feel oily and need stirring. Pretty neat! 

Plastic Bag: Really any plastic bag would do but having the zip seal is really convenient and makes it so much easier.

Brownies: Just use your favorite brownie recipe. The brownies can't be too hot and not yet cut into. I know, that sounds absolutely impossible. I, too, am a cut into it as soon as it's out of the oven kind of gall. You can do it though. Self control. 

Microwave: I'm sure some of you do not have microwaves. I have not tried this myself so you would be guinea pigging it. Or, trying it "at your own risk" but I believe if you were to put the bag into a bowl of warm water it would melt everything similarly. You don't want to literally melt EVERYTHING, and certainly not the plastic bag, so please just make sure it's not too hot. No boiling should be necessary. 

Magic: To start, put the Peanut Butter and chocolate into the bag. I don't measure things, but I do make sure it's about equal amounts of Peanut butter and chocolate. It's probably 3 Tablespoons or so of each but you can do more or less depending on how many brownies you made. 

Zip the bag shut and stick it in the microwave (or try the warm water trick if you don't have a microwave) You need to zap it till it's all melted, but don't microwave it for more than 15-20 seconds at a time. I microwaved mine for 20 seconds twice.

Every 15-20 seconds, massage the bag so the contents really blend together. 

Not done yet

If you can still make out the difference between the chocolate and the butter, it needs more time. 

Once it's all melted and mixed, rub the bag so the mixture is all in one corner. and snip off the tiniest bit off the corner of the bag.  For a smaller, slower stream cut the hole smaller, for a thicker, faster stream cut it bigger. I actually prefer my lines a lot smaller and closer together but (OOPS) I cut my corner to big by accident.

Very tiny! Remember, you can always make it bigger if it's too small.

Just as you would with cake icing, hold the bag so the frosting is in your hand and the top of the bag sticks up above your fist. Very gently, squeeze the bag and draw out the lines in your desired pattern. You can test it on a something else (a paper plate? a napkin?) if your unsure of the needed pressure.

I said before to use an uncut pan of brownies, however, if you cut them and remove them from the pan you could make a different design on them and do them individually. This is just a lot easier.  

Set the pan of brownies in the fridge for twentyish minutes till the icing hardens and sets, then gently cut into them and enjoy! 

The icing on the.... cake? This is SO mess free. No bowls to clean after, no frosting tips to scrub. You just throw the bag away and you're done! 

I have done this for a baby shower and they were a huge hit just on account of that easy little detail. Who doesn't love a little added flair to their food? When you take a small step more, it really does make a difference. And it's fun! 

Refrigerate for 20 Minutes before serving

EXTRA TIP: If you have any extra icing left in the bag, squirt it onto your toast and Oh My Gosh! you won't be sorry. 

It would also be amazing on ice cream. In fact, ditch the brownies, I just had an epiphany. I am going to make this for the sole purpose of drizzling over ice cream. No need to buy peanut butter sauce, I've got us covered! 

 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31