My husband apparently doesn’t know me very well. It’s kind of sad.
You see, when someone asks me to do something, I do the exact opposite. It can be a problem.
“Honey, you really need to wash your car.” My car will never be washed again.
“Hey, don’t forget to call the plumber today.” We can dig a hole out back and use that, like in the olden days! It’ll be fine.
“You haven’t made my favorite sausage egg rolls in a long time.” And now I never will again.
So, you would think the man would have learned after 14 years of marriage not to mention the empty cookie jar. But, no. He had to bring it up.
“This cookie jar has been empty for a really long time now.” We may as well smash it to bits, because you’re never getting cookies again.
I did make him a twist on my homemade brownies though! I mean, I’m not a horrible person. Just a kind of bad person. See?
These brownies have a sweet, salty, crunchy bottom that’s made out of pretzels, butter, and sugar. So, basically heaven. I used my favorite brownie batter that always bakes up thick and fudgy. It’s dotted with dark chocolate chips for extra chocolate oomph. And, just for fun, I swirled some melty peanut butter over the top of things.
Enjoy these, guys! They’re delightful.

Pretzel Crusted Fudgy Peanut Butter Brownies
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 4 cups pretzel sticks
- 6 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 tablespoon sugar
For the brownies:
- 1 cup 2 sticks butter
- 2 1/4 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder optional
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup peanut butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- To make the crust, place the pretzel sticks into a food processor or blender and process until you have fine crumbs. Mix with the melted butter and sugar. Press into a foil lined 9x13 baking dish.
- To make the brownies, in small saucepan over low heat, melt butter completely. Stir in sugar and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Do not allow sugar mixture to boil.
- Pour butter mixture into a large bowl or stand mixer. Beat in cocoa powder, eggs, salt, baking powder, espresso powder, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
- Stir in the flour until just combined.
- Spread over the pretzel crust (batter will be very thick and sticky). Melt the peanut butter in a microwave safe dish. Pour over the brownie batter and swirl into the batter with a knife.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, until a tester comes out mostly clean. The edges should be set and the center should still look slightly moist, but not uncooked.
- Cool on a wire rack.
Nutrition Information:
Kelly @ Trial and Eater says
These look amazing! And I’m totally the same way about being told what to do, it’s a stubborn thing 🙂
Samina | The Cupcake Confession says
OHHHHH YEAH!!!!! There can be nothing better than a comforting brownies and especially one with so many textures going on! Can I have 17839 of these please!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gosh!!! droooooling here!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
HOLY OMG. These are the best things ever. And, men. Well. They never really know us…
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
I’m the same exact way. You have to use the reverse psychology in this gal if you want anything accomplished. Love these thick, gooey brownies.
Celestine says
HILARIOUS post! I used to be the same way. I still “think things” though. I’m also loving the salty-sweet brownies too. I’ll be making them next week for my husband’s office. I bake for his office once a week because they are sweet people. I refer to them as the “people that poop rainbows”. If anyone from my office ever asked me to bake for them; I’d be thinking “Um yeah….I’ll get right on that….like when the River Styx freezes over.”
Shelby Hawk says
Could I use a boxed brownie mix if I’m too lazy to make from scratch!?
Karly says
@Shelby Hawk,
Absolutely!
Tracy | Pale Yellow says
I’m glad your husband didn’t ask for brownies! These look way better than anything you could put in a cookie jar!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
Helloooooo beautiful!! LOVE!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
bahaahaaaa! Michael is the same way! I’m always yelling at him about it, telling him to grow up (of course his response to that is “now I never will! I’m a baby-so there!” :P)
These brownies just about make up for it lol-SO decadent and fudgy and love the pb & pretzel additions!!!!
Angelyn @ Everyday Desserts says
pretzel crust AND brownies !!!!!! I’m dying!
Matt Robinson says
All additional blogging about perfect brownies can stop now. You did it with these. They are AMAZING. Love the pretzel crust!!
marcie says
Pretzels and peanut butter in a fudgy brownie is just heaven!
sally @ sallys baking addiction says
The pretzel crust!!! Oh heavens, yes.
Belinda Lo (Moonblush Baker) says
You just happen to post this on a day I am looking for brownies… They are meant for me and my stomach!
How to Philosophize with Cake says
Holy cow that looks amazing! So fudgy and chocoaty. Love the sweet + salty flavors here too! 🙂