Truffle Brownies with Peanut Butter Cookie Dough (and Reese’s Cups)

Did you know that I’m afraid to check my mail?

Yep, pretty much. 

And if you’re wondering if it’s because I’m afraid of bills or You May Have Already Won! envelopes, it’s totally not.

It’s because I’m almost positive there are possums living in the drainage ditch by my mailbox.

And it totally freaks me out.

If you’ve never seen a possum, you are a lucky, lucky dog because they are super scary and have sharp teeth and tails and everything. 

No joke.

I could tell you some horrible possum zombie stories, but I don’t want to gross you out or be responsible for nightmares. 


I’m just looking out for your better interests, trust me on this.

Anyways, the fact that they probably live in my drainage ditch is very bad for me, because I get lots of important things in the mail like People magazine, or catalogs, or Bath and Body Works coupons or whatever.

So every time the mail comes, I weigh my options. Run down to the mailbox and risk my life….or stay in the house and possibly miss out on awesome magazines and/or one of those scratch off things from a local car lot. Which hello, I totally realize are kind of a scam, but they are still pretty fun to do.


Of course, the mail always wins.


But seriously, it is stinkin’ terrifying. Plus, I am not so good at running, which is obviously required in case they have formed some type of evil possum army and plan to attack as soon as my back is turned.


And if you’ve ever seen a possum’s face, you know that is a definite possibility.

Also, it is almost impossible to look cool while doing a “scared for your life” run, so I have to listen for cars so I can slow to a walk if someone drives by.

Because when it comes to looking cool to passers-by or making myself vulnerable to a zombie possum, I’ve got to go with looking cool. 


It’s just something I never grew out of.


Anyways, when I make it back up to the house alive, I sometimes like to reward myself with a treat.


Like these super yummy awesome brownies.


You may remember a few months back when I made Truffle Brownies with Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. This is basically the same thing, but I used peanut butter cookie dough instead and added Reese’s Cups to the brownie batter.


Yeah, they’re pretty much the bomb.

(click here for printable recipe)


INGREDIENTS:

Tube of peanut butter cookie dough, frozen (16.5 oz)  2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 stick margarine
3 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup all purpose flour
Reese’s Cups, chopped (I used about 12 mini ones)

Preheat oven to 350. Line a 9 inch round pan with foil and grease foil heavily with butter or margarine.

Remove cookie dough from freezer and slice into 1/2 inch slices. You will probably only need about 3/4 of the roll. Lay those slices flat and quarter them. Scatter frozen cookie dough in the bottom of your pan.

Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs and salt together in a large bowl until frothy. Add the sugar and beat until the eggs are thick and pale yellow, about 2 or 3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and beat an additional 30 seconds.


Put the margarine and chocolate in a microwave safe container and microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir to ensure that the chocolate has melted. Microwave an additional 30 seconds if needed.


With the mixer running, pour the melted chocolate into the egg mixture. Add the flour and beat 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat an additional 30 seconds. Fold in the chopped peanut butter cups.


Pour the brownie batter over the chunks of cookie dough. Place pan in the oven on the center rack and bake for 25 minutes. Center should be barely set and a toothpick inserted in center will NOT come out clean. Brownies will not seem completely done.


Let pan cool on a rack and then place in the freezer for about an hour. Remove pan, peel off foil and slice. Let brownies come to room temperature before serving.

This recipe was adapted from the Truffle Brownie recipe on Food Network.com, and even without my add-ins, it is a completely amazing brownie recipe. You should definitely give them a try, with or without cookie dough.

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Happy Tuesday and thanks for stopping by!!