Chocolate brownies with Peanut Butter cookie dough

There are few things better in this world than chocolate and peanut butter...that is, in my world.  Sure, I have my family and friends, but chocolate and peanut butter does not ever stress me out or give me any "lip."  I can curl up with it on a snowy day and it's happy to comfort me.  OK, I think I just described the definition of stress eating, but I digress...

Yesterday was National Peanut Butter Day. Woo!  I wanted to make something, but I was truthfully too lazy to drag out my trusty KitchenAid.  I wanted to make something I could whip up in a quick hurry.

I had not made brownies in a while, and that is something even my husband with little to no sweet tooth will eat.  I found this recipe for the "best gooey chocolate brownies" and decided to try them.  Then I decided to dress them up with some peanut butter chips.

Now we are getting somewhere.

I thought "hmmm...that's not enough peanut butter yet, what can I do?"  Light bulb!  I have an easy recipe for peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.  I can throw some of that on top of the brownie mix.

I didn't want the cookies to become too crispy having been baked too long with the brownies, so I baked the brownies about half way and then added the cookie dough.

Oh my goodness, they are going to be wonderful.....the anticipation was driving me insane.  You will have to forgive the photography, I just was not interested in getting a great photo, if ya know what I mean.

Chocolate brownie recipe (from food.com)

• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda (omit if you don't want the crunchy crust)
• 1 cup peanut butter chips

1. 1
   Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
2. 2
   Melt the butter and lightly grease a pan of your liking (I used an 8x8 because I like a thicker brownie).
3. 3
   In a large bowl; combine the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda.
4. 4
   In another large bowl; combine the sugar, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
5. 5
   Once combined beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each until thoroughly blended.
6. 6
   Gradually add in the flour mixture to the egg/sugar mixture.
7. 7
   Toss the peanut butter chips in a little flour. (The flour will keep them from sinking to the bottom of the pan.).
8. 8
   Mix the peanut butter chips into the batter.
9. 9
   Bake for 20-25 minutes. (The brownies are done if you stick a toothpick in the middle and it comes out clean.
10. 10
    (ALSO, THE BATTER IS GOING TO RISE. PLEASE, DO NOT BE ALARMED! ONCE IT SINKS, WHICH TAKES ALL OF 10 MINUTES, I CAN ASSURE YOU THEY MIGHT BE THE BEST BROWNIES YOU'VE EVER TASTED.).

Peanut butter chocolate chip cookies (from The Girl Who Ate Everything):

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp baking soda

½ cup milk chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix all ingredients except chocolate chips. When blended, mix in the chocolate chips. Using your fingers, form 1 1/2 inch balls (dough will be very wet and sticky) and place onto an un-greased parchment lined cookie sheet. You don't want to make them too big because they do spread. Bake for 9 minutes. Let the cookies sit on the cookies sheet for about 30 seconds to 1 minute before letting cool on a wire rack. Makes around a dozen small cookies.

French toast cupcakes...

My son is in a percussion ensemble.  Each week, instead of them having to drive out to get fast food for lunch, we have themed lunch and everyone brings something to contribute.  This week's theme is breakfast for lunch.  I am making a crock pot bacon, egg, hash brown and cheese casserole for them,  However, they get a little testy if I show up without cupcakes or cookies for them.  

I was looking through all of my recipes and came across this little baby.  What could be more perfect?  French toast cupcakes topped with a brown sugar streusel and then maple frosting.

Here's the recipe:

STREUSEL TOPPING
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into chunks

 In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Mix the cold butter into the mixture by hand, squeezing the pieces in to mix it.

CUPCAKES
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sour cream
4 eggs, at room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.  In a large bowl, or the bowl of a standing mixer, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add the butter, sour cream, eggs, and vanilla and mix well, until the mixture is smooth, about 30 seconds. Get rid of any remaining flour by stirring the mixture by hand, with a spatula.  Place three tablespoons of batter in each prepared baking cup. Divide the streusel evenly among the cupcakes, and sprinkle it on each one. Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean..

FROSTING
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 lb. (4 cups) confectioners’ sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons heavy cream

Beat the butter on high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in the sugar until combined. Stir in the vanilla, salt, and syrup. Add the heavy cream and whisk on high for 4 minutes.

After you frost the cupcakes, shake some cinnamon and powdered sugar over the top to finish the cupcakes and add that last special touch.  

I could not help myself...I had to try one of these cupcakes.  They were calling to me..whispering sweet nothings in the wind.  I have never had very good willpower, so I caved and tried one.  Oh my goodness.....it was so delicious.  It tasted just like french toast. 

I cannot wait for the kids to try them tomorrow.  I hope they realize how spoiled they are...and loved.