Description
These lunchbox-style sourdough peanut butter brownies are rich, fudgy, and packed with flavor. Made with a chocolatey sourdough batter and swirled with creamy peanut butter, they bake up into a decadent treat perfect for snacking or packing in a lunchbox.
Ingredients
- 113 grams unsalted butter, melted and warm, 1/2 cup
- 140 grams brown sugar, 2/3 cup, packed
- 140 grams white sugar, 2/3 cup
- 85 grams chopped dark chocolate, melted, 3 oz
- 2 large eggs, 100 grams
- 100 grams sourdough discard, scant 1/2 cup
- 4 grams vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon
- 55 grams cocoa powder, dark or dutched, 2/3 cup
- 30 grams all-purpose flour, scant 1/4 cup
- 6 grams salt, about 1 teaspoon
- 85 grams creamy peanut butter, about 1/3 cup
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Line an 8×8-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and white sugar.
Melt the dark chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 20–30 seconds to avoid burning. Once melted, whisk it into the butter-sugar mixture.
Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Stir in the sourdough discard and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Add the cocoa powder, flour, and salt directly on top of the wet mixture. Use a spatula to fold everything together until the batter is smooth and thick.
Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
Drop 9 small spoonfuls of creamy peanut butter across the top. Use a knife to gently swirl the peanut butter through the batter.
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the edges and top are set. Avoid overbaking—check with a toothpick; it should come out with moist crumbs, not clean. For extra precision, the center should reach about 190ºF.
Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares.
Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Sourdough Discard: Use discard that’s no more than a few days old to avoid an overly tangy flavor. Older discard will produce a stronger sour taste in the brownies. This recipe uses 100% hydration sourdough discard.
Brownie Texture: Bake time impacts texture—longer baking results in a cakier brownie. For a fudgy texture, aim for an internal temperature of 190ºF. For cakier brownies, bake until the center reaches up to 210ºF.
Peanut Butter: Stick with a no-stir, creamy peanut butter for best results. Natural varieties with separated oil don’t incorporate as well and can affect the texture of the baked brownies.
- Prep Time: 15minutes
- Cook Time: 25minutes
- Category: Baking, Side Dish, Sides
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16 brownies
- Calories: 211kcal
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 182mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 39mg