Fudgey Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies

I think peanut butter is officially my favorite food. Breakfast? Peanut Butter and Jelly Oatmeal. Lunch? Peanut Butter and Banana sandwich. Dessert? Well - maybe Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake or Peanut Butter "Cup"cakes. Or, how about Fudgey Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies? I vote brownies.

I haven't had brownies in forever and was inspired by a Facebook fan to try my hand at making a batch! Of course I couldn't make just any sort of brownie. This one had to be special. What goes with chocolate? I know - everything. But what goes really well with chocolate? Peanut Butter.

These brownies are phenomenal! It took me a couple of tries to get the formula down, but I think I've got it! If you like a crusty top - make sure you bake these a little bit on the longer side. I give you a long range baking time so you should be ok! Also - 1 tip for baking brownies. Don't take them out when they look done. You really should take brownies out of the oven when they still look a little gooey, but the edges have hardened and started pulling away from the sides of the pan. That's when you know a brownie is done!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1/4 cup oil (for a low fat version - try replacing the oil with more applesauce!)
• 2 tbsp non-dairy milk or water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/3 cup all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup cocoa
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup peanut butter

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Spray an 8x8 glass baking dish with oil and set aside. If your using a baking dish made from something other than glass - increase the baking temperature to 350.

In a large bowl mix together the sugar, applesauce, oil, milk/water, and vanilla. Once well combined, sift and mix in the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. After mixing the wet and dry ingredients together, pour the batter into the baking dish.

Heat the peanut butter in your microwave for 20-40 seconds or over a stove on medium low heat - just until it's thin enough to swirl into the batter. With a spoon, drizzle the peanut butter on top of the brownie batter and make any design you want. I made swirls, but use your creativity!

Bake for 18-25 minutes. Cool for 10-15 minutes to allow the brownies to set. Serve alone - or with a generous helping of ice cream!!