On Our Way To Crazy

It has been ages and ages and ages since I shared a recipe on this site. I’ve never done a whole lot of cooking, really, and I’m doing none at all right now. Aaron is fully in charge of our food situation and it is such a relief to not have to think about it.

But when it comes to dessert I am still in charge. A few weeks ago we needed to bring a dessert to an event, so I turned to Pinterest. I have a whole board there dedicated to sweets because that is basically the essence of who I am. It was a tough call – sopapilla cheesecake? Homemade oatmeal creme pies? Better than crack brownies?

Better than crack brownies.

BETTER THAN CRACK BROWNIES.

Oh, you guys.

These things are easily the most delicious brownie/bar/layered things I have ever had. The combo is so perfect, so balanced, so rich and crispy and fantastic I don’t even know what to do about it. I can’t make them unless we’re going somewhere I know they will all be eaten, otherwise I will finish the pan that night by myself. With no regrets.

Better than crack brownies are basically this: a layer of brownies, a layer of peanuts and peanut butter cups, and a layer of chocolate peanut butter crisp. You chill them and serve them cold, and then they change your life.

Here’s the recipe:

Better-Than-Crack Brownies

1 batch brownies (boxed mix is fine)

1/2 cup salted peanuts

1 cup chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups (or a bag of the tiny ones, then you don’t have to chop)

1 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

1 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 tablespoon butter

1 1/2 cups Rice Krispies Cereal (I used store brand once, not the same)

Mix brownies according to directions, and bake for 20-25 minutes in a 9 x 13 baking dish. Remove and top with peanuts and peanut butter cups, and bake for 4-6 minutes more.

While they are finishing baking, melt chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter. Stir in cereal. Remove brownies from oven and evenly pour chocolate mixture over top.

Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

I don’t really measure out the peanut/peanut butter cup layer, just shake them out until it’s pretty covered. I like to push them down into the brownies.

The end result is a solid, crispy topping over a gooey chewy brownie with a peanut and peanut butter cup surprise hiding in random bites. It is chocolatey and peanut buttery and crispy and chewy and magically delicious.

Seriously. You can’t go wrong. They rule. Make them. Then send me some.