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Crock Pot Polka Dot Peanut Butter Brownies

Today I’m super excited about our guest post from Dianne over at Baking 4 Six. She’s going to rock our crocks with some brownies! True love happened when crock pots met brownies. I love a good love story.  

How cute are these?? Typically brownies are baked in squares & rectangles. However, not only does making brownies in a slow-cooker result in circle or oval shaped brownies, but it also allows brownies to be made year-round in those areas when it’s just too hot to turn on the oven during certain times of the year. Plus you and your loved ones can come home to a freshly made treat after a long day away from home.

If the cuteness factor or using a slow-cooker hasn’t convinced you to give these a try – perhaps the perfect combination of chocolate & peanut butter and the fact that they are probably just about as healthy as you can make a chocolate brownie (that is, if you omit the peanut butter chips). The whole wheat flour does give them a “heartier” texture and slightly different taste than a “traditional” brownie, but the rich chocolate flavor and chewiness definitely shine through. In my opinion I think that the whole wheat flour also helps provide a sense of satiation as opposed to wanting to eat the entire batch in one sitting. In other words, they totally hit the spot!

Peanut Butter Polka Dot Brownies

Brownies:

  • 1 c unsalted butter (melted)
  • 1/2 c dutch process (or dark) cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 – 2 c sucanat (or light/dark brown sugar)
  • 2 tsp instant espresso powder (may be omitted, but it makes a tasty difference)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 1/2 c whole wheat flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • (optional: 1/2 c Peanut Butter Chips)

Peanut Butter Topping:

  • 1/2 c peanut butter (natural/homemade)
  • 2 Tbl honey (optional)
  • 1-2 tsp cocoa powder (optional)
  • 1/4 tsp instant espresso powder (optional, but must be combined with cocoa powder)
  1. Prepare a 6 quart slow-cooker with a liner. (Or spray with cooking oil, line with 2 strips of parchment paper in opposite directions-like a + sign, and lightly spray again and coat the parchment paper.)
  2. Using a glass bowl, melt the butter in the microwave.
  3. Whisk in the cocoa and espresso powders until combined.
  4. Stir in the sucanat.
  5. Add the eggs and vanilla stirring until mixed together.
  6. Finally, add the flour and salt being sure to combine well. (add optional peanut butter chips)
  7. Scoop into the prepared slow-cooker. Press down so that the batter touches the sides and is dispersed evenly.
  8. Mix the peanut butter with the ingredients of your choice. Roll into balls or drop by teaspoon-sized amounts onto the top of the brownie batter.
  9. Turn the slow-cooker to high and heat for 2 1/2-3 hours. The brownie will cook from the outside edges inward. Be careful not to burn the edges by cooking too long. You’ll want to turn the heat off before the middle is completely set as it will continue to cook while the slow-cooker cools.

Servings: 12-16

Dianne enjoys baking for her family and is constantly challenging herself to make “new” things from scratch. She also enjoys writing, photography and has a slight obsession with anything recipe related. Recently she’s combined her interests by sharing her kitchen adventures in her blog Baking4Six and on her Facebook page by the same name Baking4Six. When she’s not baking she wears many hats as a mother to 4 children and wife to the love of her life.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the content above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I may receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Comment Policy: I love reading your thoughts and input on what you read here. I'm sure we'll disagree sometimes and that's okay! In those cases, do what's right for you and yours. As with any form of communication, only post comments that move the discussion in a positive direction.

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Comments

  1. THANKS, Diane and Stacy! July in Texas….not turning the oven on again until October…and I can still have brownies! Yay! 🙂

    Love, Joy
    Yesterfood

    Reply

  3. You had me at peanut butter! 🙂 These look awesome, Dianne. I’ve never made brownies in the crock pot and this looks like an amazing recipe to try – Thanks!

    Reply
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