Family Recipe Friday - Peanut Butter Brownies

Peanut Butter Brownies



This is a recipe I learned many years ago from an old Amish cookbook. I have only slightly adapted it over the years, and find that it is quite the most delicious peanut butter brownie I have ever eaten. [My adaptation? The recipe makes a double batch, according to the cookbook. I put it all in one pan, making it a single batch. Having done that… I had to alter the baking temperature and time.]

INGREDIENTS

4 cups all purpose flour

2 cups granulated sugar

1 ½ tablespoons baking powder

1 ½ teaspoons salt

½ cup shortening

4 eggs

1 ½ cups peanut butter

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

PREPARATION

1] Preheat the oven to 325-degrees. Spray a 9” x 13” baking pan with non-stick baking spray. Set aside.

2] In a large bowl, cream sugar, shortening, eggs and peanut butter.

3] In a second bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt.

4] Mix vanilla into first bowl. Then slowly add the dry ingredients, being sure to incorporate them well. [This is a very thick, heavy batter.]

5] Spoon the batter into the prepared baking pan. Pressing it into the pan. This will not be smooth, and is not a “pretty” batter. So don’t try to make it into one! [It’ll drive you crazy if you try!]

6] Bake for approximately 45-minutes. When the edges are nicely browned, and inserting a knife into the center results in only a small amount of batter sticking to it, then it is done. [The edges get that delicious crunch to them, while the center of each square will be soft and chewy!]

Allow them to cool somewhat before cutting into squares.

You can serve this warm with a single scoop of vanilla ice-cream if you like. Or simply allow the brownies to cool, and serve with cold milk!

This is a real favorite in our house. And I bet it will be in yours as well!