Loaded Kit Kat Peanut Butter Brownies

While I was back home last holiday season and Mike was here in Kuwait, he took the opportunity to load up on a few choice junk food items that usually don’t make their way into our cart when he and I shop together.

I came back to a kitchen fully stocked with chips, soda, and candy bars by the case. (Oh my God, it was a nightmare. I can’t imagine what he was thinking.)

The funny thing is that he doesn’t actually eat junk food all that much (maybe he’ll have a small bag of chips or a candy bar once a week), but you’d never know it from the stockpile he had going on. I think just buying the stuff is comfort food for him.

We finally rid our kitchen of most of it (passing most of it on to guests who were quite willing recipients!), but in the end I was left with a case of Kit Kat Chunky bars shoved into the back of my fridge. (Of all things, lol.)

I’ve been brainstorming creative ways to try to use the candy in such a way that Mike won’t realize I’m slowly dispersing his hoard. I usually like to take the approach of asking Mike if he’d like to take a treat to work to pass around; he always agrees to this, probably because he’s a rock star every time I send a platter of goodies in with him. It’s a win-win for both of us.

When I asked him what he wanted to take this time, he agreed to brownies and I was thrilled, thinking I could sneak in a decent amount of candy. As it turns out, four candy bars was about the limit for this recipe…but at least my fridge is down by four candy bars and Mike was a hero.

The peanut butter topping was an afterthought on this recipe, but as it turns out, it really makes the brownies. In the end, these brownies are sort-of like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups meet Kit Kat bars and have child that’s much more elegant than either of them are on their own.

Be warned, this dish is really rich and decadent, and if you’re anything like me, a single bite will probably do you fine! They are a total crowd-pleaser though, and sure to be a hit with anyone who’s a fan of the chocolate-peanut butter combo.

Here’s a serving tip: if you make these brownies for a picnic or potluck, cut them into smaller pieces because they really are very filling. And if you need a larger quantity because you’re feeding a small army, this recipe easily doubles and you can make it in a 9 by 13-inch casserole dish and cut the brownies into little squares.

I am sending this recipe off to participate in this month’s Chocolate Party hosted by the lovely Roxana from Roxana’s Home Baking because this month’s secret ingredient is peanut butter!