Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

These brownies are great for school lunch boxes, but who are we kidding? The kids will be lucky to get the crumbs.

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
4 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup coarsely chopped unsalted peanuts
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square pan or Pyrex dish.

Stir together the flour, cocoa and salt, and set aside.

With an electric mixer, cream the peanut butter and butter until light and fluffy. Add the sugar and brown sugar, and continue beating. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla, then gradually add the flour mixture and continue beating until well incorporated.

Stir the peanuts and 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips into the batter. Pour batter into prepared pan, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until firm. Remove from oven and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate chips over the surface of the hot brownies. Wait a few minutes, and then spread the softened chocolate evenly. Cool completely before cutting. Makes 16 2-inch brownies.

Prep time: 12 minutes; Cooking time: 30 minutes; Total time: 42 minutes