Pt 1 of an Afternoon With Livvy-Livvy's Treat

So you know how I posted a couple of... Maybe months ago now? About sending chocolate peanut butter brownie to Jess? Well her best friend, also a good friend of mine, complained that just because she wasn't at some foreign university she didn't get anything. So, I promised to make her a brownie too. This time, however, I went on a slightly different route. Still chocolate and still peanut butter. But all mixed in with cookie dough and a chocolate ganache on top for a truly amazing: Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Brownie! I think it's possibly my new favourite. :) I got this recipe from RecipeGirl which is another really cool food blog.

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Brownies

Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup bittersweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon sugar

Directions:
Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease a 20cm square baking tin. Line the bottom of the pan with baking paper, so that it comes up two of the sides that are opposite each other. In a small bowl, melt the butter and unsweetened chocolate in the microwave until the butter is melted, about 2 minutes. Stir briskly until well-combined, then stir in the vanilla. Meanwhile, in a large bowl- use an electric mixer to beat together the sugar and eggs. Scrape in the partially cooled chocolate mixture and mix to combine. In separate medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Stir the flour ingredients and chocolate chips into the wet ingredients. Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Bake 22 to 28 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center of the brownies comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool. Spread the peanut butter cookie dough in an even layer over the cooled brownies. Drizzle the ganache over the peanut butter cookie dough layer and carefully spread to cover the top. Sprinkle with peanut butter chips. Refrigerate until the dough and the ganache topping are set (at least 1 hour). Use a knife to loosen the sides, then carefully grab the parchment paper and remove the whole pan of brownies to a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut them into squares. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough:
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine butter and brown sugar. Mix until creamy. Add milk and peanut butter and mix to combine. Stir in flour and salt. 

Ganache:
In a small bowl, microwave chocolate chips cream and sugar for 1 minute, stirring after 30 seconds. Continue to microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring after each heating time. Continue heating and stirring until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.

I think it's Livvy's new favourite too!