Layers of fudgy brownies are slathered with peanut butter buttercream, topped with full-size Reese’s cups, and then stacked high, for an ultra-decadent chocolate-peanut butter dessert! This Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Torte is a serious show-stopper, but it’s shockingly easy to make!!
I went to Target a few weeks ago specifically to get a new glucometer and blood sugar test strips for my diabetic cat. While there, I stocked up on baking supplies too, and about 1,000 other things I don’t need, of course. It is Target, after all.
The cashier rang up the glucometer and the test strips, then looked at my cart full of Oreos, chocolate chips, brownie mix, caramel sauce, chocolate donuts, and Reese’s cups, and said, “Aren’t you diabetic?”
I explained to her that I’m not diabetic, but my cat is.
That was followed by a totally confused stare. I think she thought I was crazy. We’ve had cats in my family all our lives, and I had no idea they could be diabetic. I never even considered it. Clearly she was not aware either. Then she asked a series of questions about how you test a cat’s blood sugar, and if I give her shots, and does she run away from me all the time because of this…. no, she does not. Thank goodness.
As a general update, things are going much more swimmingly than they were a few months ago, and it’s been a big relief, but it’s been a lifestyle adjustment for all of us. She gets insulin shots twice/day, and so now whenever we’re out and my S.O. is ready to leave, his favorite excuse is, “We have to go, we have a diabetic cat at home that needs a shot.” It’s true, but it’s still funny to hear. It’s not a line I would’ve imagined him saying a few years ago, that’s for sure.
Anyway, I thought the Target experience was kinda funny, so I thought I would share it since I was out shopping for ingredients for this here Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Torte when it happened. Which, btw, if you don’t get along with sugar, you should probably steer clear of it. If you love sugar, like me, and it agrees with you, then you will loooooove this torte. You’ll also need to like peanut butter a lot, but I know you wouldn’t be here reading if you didn’t.
This torte couldn’t be easier and that’s the truth. It is seriously incredibly easy to make this. However, it’s a dessert that really impresses with its presentation. Look at it! It’s neat, right? It’s just boxed brownie mix, lots of Reese’s cups, and my favorite recipe for peanut butter buttercream. Stack, layer, and stack some more. So simple. But it is decadent. No two ways about that.
I cannot say enough good things about how AMAZING this torte is. For a person who loves chocolate and peanut butter together, this is heaven on earth, or as close as we’re gonna get.
Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Torte
Ingredients
- 1 box brownie mix I like Betty Crocker Hershey's Original Supreme
- 1/4 c. water
- 1/2 c. vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 1/2 c. butter softened
- 1 c. peanut butter
- 2 - 2.5 c. powdered sugar
- 1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/3 c. heavy cream
- 25 snack size Reese's cups 20 whole, 5 chopped
Instructions
- Prepare brownie mix according to package instructions for a 9x13 pan. For my brownie mix, I combined the brownie mix, water, vegetable oil, and egg.
- Spread in a well-greased 9x13 pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.
- Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Meanwhile, prepare peanut butter buttercream.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, peanut butter, and enough powdered sugar to form a thick but spreadable frosting.
- Whip until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- In a large saucepan over low heat, combine chocolate chips and heavy cream.
- Cook and stir until the chips are melted and the mixture is smooth.
- To assemble torte, cut the tray of brownies horizontally into 3 large pieces. They will each be approximately 9x4 inches.
- On a serving platter, carefully lift out and place one of the brownie pieces.
- Spread about 1 c. peanut butter frosting onto the brownie layer.
- Arrange 10 whole Reese's cups on top of the peanut butter frosting.
- Drizzle 1/3 of the ganache over the Reese's cups.
- Carefully top with a second layer of brownie.
- Repeat steps - spreading with 1 c. peanut butter frosting, cover with 10 Reese's cups, and drizzle another 1/3 of the ganache over top.
- Carefully arrange the final layer of brownie.
- For this final layer, spread it with peanut butter frosting, drizzle it with the remaining ganache, and top it with the chopped Reese's cups for garnish.
- Refrigerate for about 1 hour to firm the torte before slicing and serving.
- Store in refrigerator. EAT!!!
You may also like these peanut butter recipes!
No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie recipe
Reese’s Cup No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie recipe
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
Yup, that looks pretty decadent! And amazing! I’m always up for peanut butter and chocolate!
Sarah says
Hahaha. Yes, it’s definitely not a health food, by any means, but it is soooooo worth the indulgence if you like chocolate and PB!!! 🙂
Barb says
This looks so good! I happen to have everything on hand! Can’t wait to try it tomorrow!
Sarah says
It’s easy! Try it! You’ll never look at chocolate and peanut butter together the same again! Whole ‘nother level.
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
This is next level stuff! So delicious, pinning 🙂
Sarah says
Lol! Aww, thank you!!! It is a little over-the-top, but that’s what made it so dang good. It’s a top fave of mine now, for sure. Thanks, Medha!
Donna says
These look delicious! So good. Hope you will share on our link party, too! #OMHGWW
Hope your cat is well:)
Sarah says
Oh, thank you!! She’s doing SO much better! Thanks so much!
Kim @The Baking ChocolaTess says
OMG! I think I just died and went to heaven! 😉 Pinning!!
Sarah says
That’s how I feel about this torte too. It’s just to-die-for! Thanks, Kim!
June @ How to Philosophize with Cake says
LOl that target anecdote is funny–the look on that cashier’s face must’ve been priceless 🙂 Love this torte…so many layers to love 😀
Sarah says
It really was priceless. She was just totally dumbfounded. I don’t blame her! It was a paradox to be buying all those sweets as well as a diabetes kit. Lol! Thank you, June!!
Tara Siudy (Little Miss Dexterous) says
YUMMMMM! pinned ans sharing!
Sarah says
Awesome! Thank you so much!
Sarah says
Yay! Thank you!
Melissa Vera says
This recipe is to die for. I can’t wait to try it out. Peanut butter cups are a favorite in my family. Thank you so much for linking up to the #HomeMattersParty this week. I hope you will come back next week and share again.
Sarah says
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you like it!
Lou Lou Girls says
Yum! This looks so amazing. Pinned and tweeted. Thank you for bringing such amazing creations to our party. We hope to see you tonight at 7 pm because we LOVE to party with you! Lou Lou Girls
Sarah says
Thanks so much for the party!
Sarah @ Sarah's Bake Studio says
This looks amazing!! Pinned! I can’t wait to make this. I LOVE Reese’s!
Sarah says
So glad you like it!! 🙂
Made From Pinterest says
Yum! This looks absolutely delicious! I am going to make this as soon as possible! Keep posting great stuff like this… I will absolutely be returning! So good! Thank you!
Sarah says
Yay! So glad you like it. This is one of my favorite recipes on the blog! Thank you for your kind comment!!
Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai says
Hey, Sarah! Just wanted to let you know that we loved your Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Tort so much when you shared it at the #HomeMattersParty last week, we’ve FEATURED it THIS WEEK! Hope you can check it out when you get a sec! Happy Friday!!! http://theroadtodomestication.com/2015/08/13/home-matters-linky-party-50/
Sarah says
That’s wonderful news! Thank you so much!! I’m so happy to hear that. And thank you for the party. 🙂
David says
I love the peanut butter cup brownie, just wanted to let you know. I have used to make it many time in a month.
Sarah says
That’s awesome! This is one of my very favorite recipes of all-time. Can’t beat peanut butter and chocolate together!
Natalie says
I served this for dessert yesterday. Total decadence! It was a big hit and my guests were entranced but the ingredients. I need to get the leftovers out of my house. Stat!
Sarah says
It is a totally ridiculously decadent dessert. Beyond decadent. That’s why I love it so much – so excessive!! Did you have any problems with assembling it??
natalie branchini says
Ha ha. No problems at all. Making it again tonight for company tomorrow. It’s going together perfectly except I had to refrigerate the buttercream because it was so hot and now it’s too hard to smooth. I’ll just be up a little later than expected.
THANKS!
Sarah says
So sorry you had to stay up past your 8:30 bedtime to pull this dessert together!!!!!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂