Chocolate Peanut Butter Celebration Brownies

Fudgy brownies stuffed with caramel chocolate and topped with creamy peanut butter frosting!

These Chocolate Peanut Butter Celebration Brownies are a fun spin on one of my favorite easy brownie hacks. All you need is a great brownie mix and your favorite candy bar. The candy bar bakes right into the center for a gooey surprise, then everything gets topped with creamy chocolate peanut butter frosting, crunchy peanuts, and pretty red heart sprinkles. They’re rich, fudgy, and definitely a reason to celebrate.

Flavor Profile

Every bite starts with a fudgy brownie before giving way to gooey caramel chocolate hidden inside. The creamy chocolate peanut butter frosting adds a smooth, nutty finish while the chopped peanuts bring just enough crunch to balance all that chocolate.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Starts with a boxed brownie mix, so it’s simple but still feels homemade.
• A hidden layer of caramel chocolate makes every bite a fun surprise.
• The chocolate peanut butter frosting is creamy, rich, and easy to spread.
• Chopped peanuts add the perfect crunchy contrast.
• Perfect for anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or any special celebration.

The Twist

Instead of mixing candy into the batter, these brownies hide an entire layer of caramel chocolate bars right in the center. As they bake, the chocolate becomes soft and gooey, creating a surprise filling that makes every slice a little different from a classic frosted brownie.

Ingredient Highlights

• Brownie mix: Use your favorite boxed mix along with the ingredients listed on the package.
• Hershey’s Caramel Bars: These create the hidden caramel chocolate center without any extra prep.
• Nutella Peanut Flavor Spread: Gives the frosting a rich chocolate peanut butter flavor while keeping it extra creamy.
• Cocoa powder: Deepens the chocolate flavor without making the frosting too sweet.
• Chopped peanuts: Add crunch and complement the peanut butter frosting.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Celebration Brownies

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• Author: Taryn Camp

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Brownies

• 1 box favorite brownie mix, plus the ingredients listed on the package
• 6 full-size Hershey’s Caramel Bars (1.4 ounces each)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Frosting

• 1 stick (½ cup) salted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• ¼ cup Nutella Peanut Flavor spread

Toppings

• Chopped peanuts
• Edible red heart sprinkles
• Edible gold confetti sprinkles

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven according to the brownie mix package directions. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with baking spray and line it with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the brownie batter according to the package directions.
3. Spread half of the batter into the prepared pan. Arrange the caramel chocolate bars in a single layer over the brownie batter, leaving them whole. Carefully spread the remaining batter over the top.
4. Bake according to the package directions. Let the brownies cool completely.

Make the chocolate peanut butter frosting

1. Beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy.
2. Add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, Nutella Peanut Flavor spread, and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. Beat until light and fluffy, adding another tablespoon of heavy cream if needed for a smooth, spreadable frosting.
3. Spread the frosting over the cooled brownies.
4. Sprinkle with the chopped peanuts, heart sprinkles, and gold confetti sprinkles before slicing into squares.

FAQ

Can I use a different brownie mix?
Yes! Any standard boxed brownie mix that bakes in an 8-inch pan works well.

Can I use regular peanut butter instead of the Nutella Peanut Flavor Spread?
Yes. The frosting will have a stronger peanut butter flavor and slightly less chocolate, but it will still be delicious.

Can I leave off the peanuts?
Absolutely. The brownies will still be rich and creamy without the crunchy topping.

How should I store these brownies?
Keep them covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Let chilled brownies sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving.

Can I freeze them?
Yes. Freeze the frosted brownies in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Sprinkle of Fun

Bring these to an anniversary dinner with friends and serve them instead of a traditional cake. They’re easy to share, and everyone gets their own perfectly frosted brownie.

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If you like Friday Night Bagel Bite Bake, then you’ll love the recipes below.

• Food Court Pretzel Dogs
• Slow Cooker Pizza Night Pasta
• Throwback Pizza Night Muffins