Transform a simple brownie mix into an extraordinary dessert with these easy-to-make layered brownies. Featuring a delightful graham cracker crust, rich chocolate brownie, a creamy peanut butter topping, and a sprinkle of colorful candies, these brownies offer an irresistible blend of flavors and textures. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or a special treat at home, they promise to impress with minimal effort.
Crafting memorable and visually appealing desserts doesn’t require advanced baking skills. These delicious layered brownies prove that you can achieve a gourmet-looking treat with surprising ease. The secret lies in combining beloved flavors and textures into distinct, harmonious layers, creating a dessert that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate. Each bite delivers a symphony of sweet and salty, crunchy and chewy, making these brownies an instant favorite.
From their sturdy, buttery base to their vibrant, candy-studded top, these brownies are designed to be a showstopper. They’re adaptable, fun to make, and guaranteed to disappear quickly at any gathering. Let’s dive into creating these magnificent monster brownies, layer by delicious layer.
The Golden Graham Cracker Crust: A Perfect Foundation
Every exceptional layered dessert needs a strong and flavorful foundation, and our graham cracker crust delivers exactly that. This buttery, slightly sweet, and wonderfully crunchy base perfectly complements the rich chocolate brownie layer that rests upon it. Think of the classic s’mores combination – the golden sweetness of graham crackers perfectly balances rich chocolate, creating a nostalgic and comforting flavor profile.
Creating your own graham cracker crumbs is incredibly simple. You’ll need about two sleeves of graham crackers. For the finest crumbs, a food processor is your best friend, quickly transforming crackers into a fine, uniform powder. If you don’t have a food processor, a heavy-duty plastic bag and a rolling pin work just as well, offering a satisfying, stress-relieving way to crush them. Once crushed, combine the crumbs with melted butter and a touch of granulated sugar. This mixture is then pressed firmly into the bottom of your baking pan, forming a compact crust that will crisp up beautifully in the oven, adding a delightful crunch to every slice.
This crust not only provides a textural contrast but also a subtle flavor that enhances the overall experience. Its slight saltiness and warmth stand up beautifully against the dense, sweet brownie and creamy peanut butter. While pre-made graham cracker crumbs are available in most baking aisles for convenience, making your own ensures optimal freshness and flavor. For those who love the s’mores experience, you might also enjoy our recipe for easy s’mores bars, another fantastic layered treat that begins with a simple chocolate cake mix and features a similar irresistible base.
The Decadent Brownie Layer: Rich and Fudgy
The heart of our layered dessert is, of course, the brownie layer itself. For ultimate convenience without sacrificing flavor, a high-quality box brownie mix is an excellent choice. This allows you to achieve a consistently delicious and fudgy brownie with minimal fuss, making these layered treats accessible to bakers of all skill levels. When selecting your mix, look for a “family size” package designed for a 9×13-inch baking pan to ensure you have enough batter for a substantial layer. If your preferred mix comes in a smaller size, simply use two boxes to achieve the perfect thickness.
Preparing the brownie batter is as straightforward as following the package instructions. You’ll typically need a few common pantry staples like eggs, oil, and water. Stir the ingredients just until combined; overmixing can lead to a tougher brownie. The goal here is a rich, dense, and slightly fudgy brownie that acts as a perfect counterpoint to the crunchy crust and creamy topping. Remember, a simpler brownie is often best in this context, as the additional layers bring plenty of exciting flavors and textures to the party.
For those who prefer to bake from scratch, feel free to use your favorite homemade brownie recipe. Just ensure it’s formulated for a 9×13-inch pan, or adjust a smaller recipe by doubling the ingredients to get a generous, satisfying layer. Bake the brownies according to your chosen recipe’s instructions, taking care not to overbake, as this can lead to dry brownies. A slightly underbaked brownie will be wonderfully fudgy and moist, which is ideal for this layered masterpiece. Once baked, the most crucial step is patience: allow the brownies to cool completely before proceeding to the next layer. A warm brownie will melt the peanut butter into a delicious, albeit messy, situation.
The Irresistible Toppings: Peanut Butter & Candy Galore
The magic of these layered brownies truly comes alive with their delectable toppings. The classic combination of chocolate and peanut butter is a culinary match made in heaven, offering a delightful balance of sweet and salty, rich and creamy. Adding a generous layer of peanut butter introduces a luxurious, almost savory element that elevates the entire dessert.
Before you even think about spreading that glorious peanut butter, ensure your brownie layer is completely, unequivocally cooled. This step cannot be rushed. Attempting to spread peanut butter over warm brownies will inevitably result in a delicious but aesthetically challenged mess, as the peanut butter will melt and mix with the brownie crumbs. Once cooled, you can gently microwave your peanut butter for 10-15 seconds to achieve a slightly looser, more spreadable consistency, making it easier to create an even layer without tearing the brownies. While a few stray brownie crumbs might mix in, don’t fret; the final candy layer will beautifully disguise any imperfections.
The grand finale is a generous sprinkling of mini chocolate chips and colorful candies, such as Mini M&M’s. This top layer doesn’t just add a fantastic “wow” factor with its vibrant appearance; it also introduces another delightful textural element. The tiny chocolate chips melt slightly as you eat, while the candy shells provide a satisfying crunch. This burst of color and sweetness makes these brownies truly “monster” in their appeal and ensures every bite is an adventure. Once adorned with their final candy crown, these layered brownies are ready to be served and enjoyed (or perhaps hoarded entirely for yourself – we won’t tell!).
More Layered Dessert Recipes to Love
Peanut Butter Cheesecake Brownies
Layered Lemon Lime Sherbet Bars
Strawberry Yogurt Crumb Bars
Buckeye Cheesecake With a Brownie Crust
Layered Brownies with Peanut Butter and Graham Crackers
Equipment
-
PYREX 3QT Glass Baking Dish Cover 9×13″
-
Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Food Processor
Ingredients
- 2 sleeves of Graham crackers
- 6 tablespoons melted butter
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 box of family size brownie mix and the ingredients it calls for
- 16 oz. jar Peanut Butter
- 2 cups Mini M&M’s
- 1 cup Mini Chocolate Chips
Instructions
-
Start by placing your graham crackers in a food processor. Process until fine.2 sleeves of Graham crackers
-
Add melted butter and sugar, and mix until it is the consistency of wet sand.6 tablespoons melted butter, 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
-
Press into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch pan.
-
Bake at 325°F for 5 minutes.
-
Prepare your brownie batter as instructed on the box.1 box of family size brownie mix and the ingredients it calls for
-
Pour batter over graham cracker crust.
-
Bake according to box instructions.
-
Let cool completely.
-
Spread slightly warmed peanut butter on top.16 oz. jar Peanut Butter
-
Sprinkle with M&M’s and chocolate chips.2 cups Mini M&M’s, 1 cup Mini Chocolate Chips
-
Serve and Enjoy!
Video
Email Me The Link
I’ll email this post to you, so you can easily find it later. Plus you’ll get new recipes from me every week!
Nutrition Information
“Cooking With Carlee” is not a dietitian or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Did you try this recipe?
Don’t forget to leave a rating below and make sure to follow on Pinterest and Instagram for more!