Peanut Butter Crack Brownies

Thanks to the love that cookiesandcups.com has been getting from Facebook this month, I finally had to try their Crack Brownies. They live up to their name. Totally. Logging some extra time in the gym after making these!

Here's their recipe...don't say I didn't warn you...

Peanut Butter Cup Crack Brownies

• 1 box brownie mix (not family sized), prepared according to package directions in a 9x9 pan
• ½ cup chopped salted peanuts
• 12 peanut butter cups, chopped
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 Tbsp butter
• 1 heaping cup creamy peanut butter (or 1¼ cups)
• 1¾ cups crispy rice cereal
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ½ tsp - 1 tsp kosher salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Bake brownies according to package directions in a 9x9 pan lined with foil.
2. During last 5 minutes of baking, remove from oven and sprinkle chopped peanut butter cups and chopped peanuts on top. Return to oven for remaining 5 minutes to melt the chocolate.
3. As soon as you pull them out of the oven, spread the melty peanut butter cups/peanuts with an off-set spatula to smooth over top. Let brownies cool.
4. Next in a microwave safe bowl combine chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter. Heat in microwave for 1 minute, stirring when done. If needed, continue heating in 20 second increments until chocolate chips are melted.
5. Stir in cereal, vanilla and salt until evenly combined.
6. Pour over brownies and smooth. Chill until chocolate is set, about 2 hours.
7. Cut into squares to serve

*thanks to cookies and cups for the recipe!