Peanut Butter Blondies: 2011’s Delicious Throwback

Okay, let’s talk about peanut butter, shall we? Seriously, is there *anything* it doesn’t make better? And blondies? Those chewy, vanilla-y, almost-but-not-quite-brownies? Pure comfort food! Now, throw in some Reese’s Pieces… BAM! You’ve got a party in your mouth. And guess what? These peanut butter blondies are ridiculously easy to make. Like, seriously, even *I* can’t mess them up, and that’s saying something!

I’m so excited to share this recipe with you because, get this, peanut butter was actually the star of one of the very *first* recipes I ever posted on this site, way back in 2011! Talk about a throwback! So, it feels kinda special to bring things full circle with these peanut butter blondies. They’re packed with peanut butter flavor, studded with those iconic little candies, and seriously, they’ll disappear faster than you can say “peanut butter.” Trust me. You’re gonna love ’em!

Why You’ll Love These Peanut Butter Blondies

Quick and Easy

Seriously, these come together so fast! Minimal prep, simple steps…you’ll be enjoying warm, gooey peanut butter blondies in no time!

Irresistible Peanut Butter Flavor

Oh yeah, we’re talking *serious* peanut butter power here! The blondie batter itself is loaded with peanut butter, and then you get those bursts of peanut butter-y goodness from the Reese’s Pieces. It’s peanut butter heaven!

Soft and Chewy Texture

Forget dry, crumbly blondies! These are perfectly soft and chewy, with just the right amount of gooeyness. My favorite part is that slightly chewy edge!

Perfect for Any Occasion

Need a crowd-pleasing dessert for a party? Got a craving for a sweet snack? These peanut butter blondies are your answer. They’re perfect for *anything*!

What You Need to Make Peanut Butter Blondies

Ingredients for Your Peanut Butter Blondies

Butter

You’ll need 3/4 cup (170g) of unsalted butter. Melt it, but let it cool *slightly*. Hot butter will mess with the texture, trust me!

Brown Sugar

Grab 2 cups (400g) packed light or dark brown sugar. Dark brown gives a richer flavor, but light works great too. Whatever you have!

Peanut Butter

Gotta have 3/4 cup (190g) of creamy peanut butter. I usually use regular, not natural…it just works better in this recipe.

Eggs

Crack open 2 large eggs plus 1 extra egg yolk. That extra yolk adds richness. Don’t skip it!

Vanilla Extract

A Tablespoon of pure vanilla extract is all you need. Don’t skimp on the vanilla, it really makes a difference!

Flour

Measure out 2 cups (250g) of all-purpose flour. Spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off. This is important!

Baking Powder

Just a teaspoon of baking powder to give these peanut butter blondies a little lift.

Salt

And a teaspoon of salt to balance out all that sweetness. Don’t forget it!

Reese’s Pieces

The star of the show! You’ll need 1 and 1/4 cups (about 260g) of Reese’s Pieces. Can’t have peanut butter blondies *without* ’em!

How to Make Peanut Butter Blondies: Step-by-Step Instructions

Get Started: Preheat and Prep

Okay, first things first: crank that oven up to 350°F (177°C). And seriously, make sure your oven rack is in the *center* position. It matters! Now, grab a 9×13-inch baking pan – metal or glass is fine. Here’s my secret weapon: line the whole thing with parchment paper. Make sure the paper hangs over the sides, so you can easily lift the blondies out later. Trust me, you’ll thank me for this!

Make the Peanut Butter Blondie Batter

In a big bowl, whisk together that melted butter and brown sugar until they’re all happy and combined. Then, whisk in the peanut butter. Now, add the eggs, that extra egg yolk, and the vanilla. Whisk it all like you mean it until it’s completely combined. It should look nice and smooth! Next, gently fold in the flour, baking powder, and salt with a rubber spatula. Be careful not to overmix! The batter will be thick, like *really* thick. That’s normal! Finally, fold in those glorious Reese’s Pieces.

Bake Your Peanut Butter Blondies to Perfection

Spread that yummy batter evenly into your prepared pan. If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle a few extra Reese’s Pieces on top for looks. Now, into the oven they go for about 30 minutes. Here’s the tricky part: start checking them with a toothpick at 30 minutes. If it comes out with wet batter, they need more time. You want just a few moist crumbs clinging to the toothpick. They actually taste a little dry if you over-bake these peanut butter blondies, so keep a close eye on ’em!

Cool, Cut, and Enjoy Your Peanut Butter Blondies

This is the hardest part: let the blondies cool *completely* in the pan on a wire rack. I know, it’s torture! But trust me, they’ll cut so much cleaner if you wait. Once they’re cool, lift them out of the pan using that parchment paper overhang. Cut them into squares (or whatever shape you like!), and then… finally… EAT! Seriously, these peanut butter blondies are best enjoyed slightly warm, if you ask me!

Tips for the Best Peanut Butter Blondies

Don’t Overbake Your Peanut Butter Blondies

Seriously, this is key! Remember what I said about those moist crumbs? That’s what you’re after! Overbaked blondies are dry and sad. Start checking ’em early!

Cool Completely Before Cutting

Patience, my friend! I know it’s hard, but let those peanut butter blondies cool *all the way* before you even *think* about cutting them. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a gooey, messy disaster. Cooled blondies slice like a dream!

Use Quality Ingredients

Good ingredients = good blondies! Splurge on the good vanilla, use real butter, and make sure your peanut butter is fresh. It makes a difference, I promise!

Variations on Your Peanut Butter Blondies

Add Chocolate Chips

Okay, wanna take these peanut butter blondies to the *next* level? Throw in some chocolate chips! Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, semi-sweet…they all work! Or, get crazy and use white chocolate chips! Yum!

Use Different Nuts

Not a Reese’s Pieces fan (gasp!)? No problem! Swap ’em out for chopped peanuts, walnuts, pecans…whatever you like! Just make sure they’re roughly the same size.

Swirl in Jelly

Peanut butter and jelly blondies? YES, PLEASE! After you spread the batter in the pan, dollop some jelly on top and swirl it in with a knife. Strawberry or grape are my faves! Just don’t go overboard, or they’ll be too wet.

Frequently Asked Questions About Peanut Butter Blondies

Can I use natural peanut butter in these Peanut Butter Blondies?

Okay, so you *can* use natural peanut butter, but heads up – it might change the texture a bit. Natural peanut butter tends to be runnier, so your peanut butter blondies might be a little more oily. If you do use it, I’d suggest stirring it *really* well first and maybe adding a tablespoon or two of flour to the batter to compensate.

How do I store these Peanut Butter Blondies?

Easy peasy! Just pop ’em into an airtight container and keep them at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to a week… if they last that long! (Spoiler alert: they probably won’t!)

Can I freeze these Peanut Butter Blondies?

Yep, you sure can! Wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then toss them all into a freezer bag. They’ll keep for a couple of months. Just let them thaw at room temperature before you dig in. Freezing is a great way to keep those peanut butter blondies fresh!

Why are my Peanut Butter Blondies dry?

Ah, the dreaded dry blondie! Chances are, you overbaked ’em. Remember, those moist crumbs are key! Next time, start checking them a little earlier and pull them out as soon as that toothpick comes out mostly clean. Seriously, even a minute or two can make a difference!

Storing and Reheating Your Peanut Butter Blondies

Storing

Got leftovers? (Lucky you!) Just toss ’em in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and chewy for days… if you don’t eat them all first, that is!

Reheating

Want a warm, gooey blondie experience? Zap a square in the microwave for like, 10-15 seconds. Careful, they get hot fast! Or, you can warm them in a low oven (like 300°F) for a few minutes. Totally optional, but oh-so-good!

Disclaimer about Nutritional Information for Peanut Butter Blondies

Okay, so I’m not a nutritionist, and honestly, every brand is different! So, any nutrition info is just a guess. Don’t take it as gospel, okay?

Enjoyed These Peanut Butter Blondies?

Yay! I hope you loved these peanut butter blondies as much as I do! If you made them, leave a comment and let me know how they turned out! And hey, give the recipe a rating while you’re at it!

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