Peanut Butter Sinful Brownies

Searching for an utterly delightful dessert that’s incredibly simple to prepare? You absolutely must try these Peanut Butter Oreo Brownies! Get ready to be captivated by the luscious layers of crunchy Oreos, soft peanut butter cookie, and rich, fudgy brownie that come together in a symphony of flavor and texture. This indulgent treat is designed to impress with minimal effort, making it perfect for any occasion.

This surprisingly straightforward recipe relies on just a few easily accessible store-bought ingredients, meaning anyone, regardless of their baking experience, can create these show-stopping bars. Imagine pulling these gorgeous, layered cookie brownies, infused with the irresistible crunch of Oreos, out of your oven in less than an hour! They’re an ideal choice for last-minute gatherings, a comforting weeknight treat, or a potluck showstopper.

While the original name “Slutty Brownies” might be widely recognized and used colloquially due to its playful nature and the dessert’s irresistible allure, we prefer to call them Peanut Butter Oreo Brownies or Layered Peanut Butter Fudge Brownies to emphasize their incredible taste and ease of creation. The first time I encountered this marvelous layered confection was in high school, and even as teenagers, we were instantly smitten by how effortless they were to make. Requiring only a handful of ingredients and absolutely zero advanced baking skills, they quickly became a go-to for impromptu get-togethers and celebrations. Who knew such a simple combination could yield such spectacular results?

These truly delicious dessert bars are famed for their distinct three-layer structure: a buttery cookie base, a crunchy Oreo center, and a rich brownie topping. It’s crucial not to confuse these with a “Brookie,” where brownie batter and cookie dough are swirled together. Here, each layer maintains its unique identity, offering a delightful textural contrast with every bite. The beauty of this recipe lies in the clear separation of flavors and textures, ensuring that you taste each component – the chewy cookie, the crisp Oreo, and the gooey brownie – distinctly. This deliberate layering is what makes the Peanut Butter Oreo Brownies so special and utterly addictive.

The exact origins of this iconic layered brownie remain a bit of a mystery, possibly spreading through word-of-mouth long before the internet became the go-to source for recipes. Since I first made a version of them in the mid-2000s, countless variations and adaptations have emerged online, each adding a unique twist to this seductive dessert. Today, I’m thrilled to share my personal favorite: a delectable peanut butter-infused rendition that elevates the classic to a whole new level of indulgence. Prepare to fall in love with the ultimate trifecta of peanut butter, chocolate, and cookies!

🍫 What Makes Up These Decadent Peanut Butter Oreo Brownies?

While traditional layered brownies often feature a chocolate chip cookie dough base, classic Oreos, and a fudge brownie topping, our recipe introduces an exciting and utterly irresistible peanut butter twist! This variation brings a new dimension of flavor and makes these bars even more addictive for peanut butter lovers.

• Peanut Butter Cookie Dough: This forms the delightful bottom layer of our brownies, providing a robust yet tender foundation for the entire bar. For ultimate convenience, we recommend grabbing a package of premade Reese’s (or your preferred brand) peanut butter cookie dough from the refrigerated section of your grocery store. Its ready-to-use nature saves significant time and effort. However, if you’re a purist or simply enjoy baking from scratch, a homemade peanut butter cookie dough can certainly be used to craft this essential base layer. The rich, nutty flavor of the peanut butter cookie dough is the perfect starting point for these incredible brownies.
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie Oreos: Typically, layered brownies use classic Oreos, but for this peanut butter-centric version, we swear by the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie Oreos! These cookies are arguably one of the best Oreo flavors ever released, boasting delightful graham cracker cookies and an exceptionally creamy, super yummy peanut butter filling. They add an incredible depth of flavor and a satisfying crunch that elevates these brownies. If this specific flavor isn’t available, you can still achieve a fantastic result by using the regular Peanut Butter Oreos, or even classic Oreos if that’s what you have on hand. The key is the iconic Oreo crunch and chocolatey goodness embedded within each brownie.
• Fudge Brownie Layer: The grand finale and the top layer of these irresistible bars is a gooey, rich, and utterly delicious fudge brownie. This layer is the ultimate indulgence, perfectly satisfying any chocolate or sugar craving. To maintain the simplicity of this “lazy” recipe, we prefer using a high-quality store-bought brownie mix. Many brands offer fantastic fudge brownie mixes that deliver a wonderfully chewy and moist result. Of course, if you have a cherished homemade fudge brownie recipe that you adore, feel free to use it! The goal is a decadent, intensely chocolatey top layer that perfectly complements the peanut butter and Oreo goodness beneath.

👩‍🍳 Crafting Your Peanut Butter Oreo Brownies: A Simple Guide

Making these Peanut Butter Oreo Brownies is incredibly straightforward, requiring just a few easy steps. You’ll be amazed at how quickly these layered treats come together!

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Cookie Base. Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch or 10×10-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the sides. This parchment paper sling will make it incredibly easy to lift the entire batch of brownies out of the pan once cooled, ensuring clean cuts. Unwrap your peanut butter cookie dough and gently press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Use your hands to spread it out smoothly from edge to edge, creating a solid and uniform cookie base. This layer should be firm enough to support the subsequent layers.

Step 2: Add the Oreo Layer. Carefully arrange your Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie Oreos (or your chosen Oreo flavor) in a single layer directly on top of the pressed cookie dough. Place them close together, pressing each one slightly into the cookie dough to ensure they adhere and create a stable middle layer. For most 9×9 or 10×10 inch pans, you should be able to fit at least 16 Oreos, creating a complete and delicious cookie crust.

Step 3: Pour and Bake the Brownie Batter. In a separate mixing bowl, prepare your fudge brownie batter according to the instructions on the box or your chosen homemade recipe. Once the batter is ready, carefully pour and spread it evenly over the layer of Oreos and cookie dough. Make sure the brownie batter completely covers all the Oreos, reaching the edges of the pan, to ensure a seamless and gooey top layer. Place the baking dish into your preheated oven and bake for approximately 35 to 40 minutes, or until the brownies have developed a nice flaky film on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, not wet batter. The exact baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven and the specific brownie mix used.

See? That was absolutely ridiculously easy! Now comes the hardest part: waiting for them to cool so you can indulge in these glorious layers of peanut butter, chocolate, and Oreo goodness. The aroma filling your kitchen will be pure bliss!

🔪 Expert Tips for Cutting and Serving Your Layered Brownies

Achieving clean, picture-perfect slices of these Peanut Butter Oreo Brownies requires a little patience, but it’s well worth the wait. Unlike regular brownies, the embedded Oreos make cutting a bit trickier, so my usual plastic knife trick for warm brownies won’t work perfectly here.

For the neatest cuts, it is highly recommended to allow these brownies to cool completely in the pan before attempting to slice them. Once fully cooled, use a large, sharp knife. For even cleaner cuts, you can run the knife under hot water for a few seconds, then wipe it completely dry before making each cut. Wiping the knife clean between each slice also helps prevent sticking and smudging, ensuring every piece looks as good as it tastes.

While the anticipation might be unbearable, a cool brownie will yield much crisper edges and prevent the layers from squishing. If you crave that warm, gooey experience after cooling, simply pop an individual brownie square into the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds. It will be just as decadent and perfectly warm!

Of course, there’s no rule against enjoying them straight out of the oven if instant gratification is your priority! Just be aware that the cuts might not be super clean, as the warm, soft brownie and cookie layers tend to stick to a metal knife. But let’s be honest, messiness just means more flavor, right?

🍨 How To Serve These Irresistible Treats:

These Peanut Butter Oreo Brownies are a showstopper all on their own, but if you want to elevate the indulgence, I have some highly recommended serving suggestions. For the ultimate dessert experience, serve them warm (either freshly baked or reheated briefly) and crown each square with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. Then, go wild with drizzles of rich hot fudge sauce and decadent peanut butter sauce. The warm brownie melting the cold ice cream, combined with the sauces, creates an explosion of flavors and textures.

Feeling extra adventurous? Consider adding a sprinkle of chopped peanut butter cups or even some mini chocolate chips on top for an extra layer of chocolatey, nutty goodness. These brownies also pair wonderfully with a tall glass of cold milk or a hot cup of coffee, making them a versatile treat for any time of day.

🗓️ Storage and Shelf Life:

To keep your Peanut Butter Oreo Brownies fresh and delicious for as long as possible, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 4 days. If you want to extend their life or prepare them well in advance, these brownies freeze beautifully. Simply wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature or warm them gently in the microwave for a few seconds.

More Delicious Brownie Recipes to Try!

If you loved these layered brownies, you might want to explore other exciting brownie creations from our kitchen:

• Hazelnut Brownies – Amazingly rich and made with just 4 simple ingredients!
• Twix Caramel Brownies – A delightful combination of cake-like texture and gooey caramel, reminiscent of your favorite candy bar.
• Olive Oil Brownies – Surprisingly flavorful and moist, these brownies offer a unique twist on the classic.
• Brownie Cookies – One of our most popular recipes, delivering the best of both brownies and cookies in one bite!
• Brownie Pie – Experience the ultimate dessert hybrid: a rich, fudgy brownie baked into a perfect pie crust.

👋 Let’s Connect and Share!

If you’ve tried this delightful recipe for Peanut Butter Oreo Brownies, please take a moment to let me know how you liked it in the comments section below and leave a star rating. Your feedback is incredibly valuable, and I love hearing about your baking adventures!

Don’t forget to tag me – @sugarandsoulco – on Instagram and Pinterest with your photos of these amazing brownies. You can also join our Sugar & Soul Show-offs Community on Facebook and share your creations there, where you can also participate in our fun recipe challenges!

Peanut Butter Oreo Brownies

Author:
Rebecca Hubbell

Course:
Dessert

Cuisine:
American

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
40 minutes

Cooling Time:
1 hour (see notes for best results)

Total Time:
1 hour 50 minutes

Servings:
16 people

These Peanut Butter Oreo Brownies are made with layers of Peanut Butter Cookies, Oreos, and Fudge Brownies and are super easy to whip together! Less than an hour and you’ll be sinking your teeth into this peanut butter and chocolate dessert!

Ingredients

• 1 (16 oz) package Pillsbury Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookie Dough (24 count cookies)
• 16 Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie Oreos (or regular Peanut Butter Oreos)
• 1 (18 oz) box Brownie Mix (plus ingredients listed on the package)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch or 10×10-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
2. Unwrap the cookie dough and use your hands to gently press and spread it into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared baking dish, ensuring it completely covers the base.
3. Arrange the Oreos in a single layer on top of the cookie dough, pressing each one gently into the dough to secure it.
4. Prepare the brownie batter according to the package directions (or your chosen recipe, including any required additional ingredients). Spread the prepared batter evenly over the top of the Oreos and cookie dough, making sure all cookies are fully covered.
5. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The brownies should have a slightly flaky film on top, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.
6. Remove from the oven and allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before carefully lifting them out by the parchment paper and slicing.

Notes

1. Oreo Flavor: Regular Peanut Butter Oreos can also be used, but for an exceptional flavor, I highly recommend using the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie variety if available.
2. Cutting Tips: For clean cuts, it is essential to let the brownies cool completely. Use a large, sharp knife. Running the knife under hot water and wiping it dry before each cut, and wiping it clean between cuts, will significantly help prevent sticking. If you want them warm after cooling, microwave individual squares for 15-20 seconds.
3. Storage: Store these brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 4 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months; wrap individual squares in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.

Nutrition

Calories: 149kcal |
Carbohydrates: 22g |
Protein: 2g |
Fat: 7g |
Saturated Fat: 2g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 3g |
Trans Fat: 1g |
Cholesterol: 2mg |
Sodium: 117mg |
Potassium: 57mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 13g |
Vitamin A: 8IU |
Calcium: 4mg |
Iron: 1mg