Sourdough Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies

We’re not really a “brownie out of the box” kind of family. At least not anymore. Not when making brownies from scratch is so easy to do.

It’s more fun to experiment with your own recipes, and I’ve got some pretty forgiving kids who are willing to try almost anything. They’re also a pretty good indicator when something is a homerun, like this zucchini bread or this smoked pumpkin pie. Those were definitely wins.

In the same way, these brownies seemed to satisfy the natives, and they didn’t last long at all. Plus this recipe is a great way to use up discard from your sourdough starter. So I call that a win win.

Here’s what you’ll need

• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 8 tbs unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sourdough starter
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 3/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 miniature peanut butter cups
• 9×13 baking dish

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How to make the brownies

1. In a sauce pan, melt the butter, chocolate chips and cocoa together. Use low heat to keep the mixture from burning.
2. In a separate mixing bowl, mix the granulated sugar, brown sugar, sourdough starter, eggs, salt and vanilla together with an electric mixer. Then add the melted chocolate and butter, completely incorporating.
3. Fold in the flour to the mixture and incorporate completely.
4. Spray your baking dish liberally, then pour in your brownie mixture.
5. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. While the oven is heating, add you peanut butter to the sauce pan used to melt the butter and chocolate chips. Stirring on low heat, melt the peanut butter until its mildly runny.
6. Use a larger spoon to pour your heated peanut butter over the brownie batter.
7. Bake your brownies for 20 minutes. While the brownies are baking, chop your miniature peanut butter cups roughly. You’ll sprinkle these on top of your brownie batter after 20 minutes.
8. Finish baking for another 15 minutes, or until done. Use a tooth pick to check the center of your brownie batter. When it pulls away clean they’re done.