Chocolate Peanut Butter Chewies

If you love creamy peanut butter and chocolate together, I’ve got a real treat for you! These delicious Chewies have a chocolate base and a peanut butter layer on top. Best of all, they’re easy to make because they start with a couple of boxes of cake mix! 

What is a Chewie? 

A Chewie is similar to a Brownie or a Brookie but it’s slightly chewier in texture. Also, a Chewie often incorporates untraditional flavors you wouldn’t ordinarily find in a brownie.

These tasty treats are basically a cross between a brownie and a cookie, featuring the rich and fudgy texture of a brownie and the chewy and slightly crispy texture of a cookie.

Are you swooning yet? 

I made a similar recipe (Brookies) awhile back and thought they were delicious. But tonight I had a hankering for something with peanut butter. 

That’s when it hit me. I remembered making some really delicious peanut butter cookies from a white cake mix awhile back. Maybe I could take that same idea and thin it down a little to make a top layer for my chewies in place of a traditional chocolate chip layer. 

I wanted something a little thinner than a cookie dough for easy spreading, which is why I though a cake mix would provide the perfect texture.

Let’s Make some Peanut Butter Chewies!

So, that’s what I did! I started with two cake mixes – one chocolate (for the bottom layer) and one white (for the peanut butter layer). 

It’s crazy to think that two cake mixes could turn into something so rich and delicious but these Chewies are just that—gooey and delectable. 

I’ll tell you more about my thoughts in a bit. For now, let’s look at what I used to make these Chewies. 

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here’s a quick peek at what you’ll need to make these Brookies. These are simple ingredients you might already have on hand. 

Peanut Butter Chewie Ingredients

FOR THE CHOCOLATE LAYER

• chocolate cake mix (or brownie mix)
• melted butter
• large eggs
• semisweet chocolate chips
• water
• vanilla extract

FOR THE PEANUT BUTTER LAYER:

• white cake mix
• peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
• melted butter
• large eggs
• brown sugar 
• water
• chocolate chips
• vanilla extract

How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Chewies

These came together so easily that I found myself wondering why I hadn’t come up with this idea before today! 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Spray the 9 x 13-inch baking pan with Baker’s Joy or other non-stick baking spray. 

Let’s Make the Chocolate Base

Place chocolate cake mix into a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment. 

Add eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, and water. Mix well at medium speed. 

Add half a cup of chocolate chips. 

Spread the chocolate batter across the bottom of the prepared dish. Get it as even as you can. 

Let’s Make the Peanut Butter Layer

Place white cake mix in clean mixer bowl with paddle attachment. 

Add eggs, water, melted butter, vanilla extract, and brown sugar. 

Mix well. 

Now it’s time to add the peanut butter. 

Mix until fully incorporated. 

Stir in the remaining chocolate chips. 

Scoop onto the top of the unbaked chocolate batter. 

Spread as evenly as you can. 

Place in preheated oven and bake for 35 – 40 minutes. How long you bake them will depend on two things: your oven and your preference. 

If you like a really gooey Chewie (I made a rhyme!) you can pull them out earlier. If you want them to bake all the way through, bake them longer. 

Remove and place dish on a wire rack to cool. Make sure they are cool before cutting so they don’t fall apart. 

Cut into squares and serve. 

Store in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap. They will stay fresh at room temperature for 3 – 4 days. You can freeze these brookies to eat later on. Just let them thaw naturally. They should stay good in the freezer (in freezer bags) up to two months. 

What to Expect from these Chocolate Peanut Butter Chewies

First of all, let’s talk about the name.

• Initially, I planned to call them Brookies. (Chocolate Peanut Butter Brookies, to be specific.) They are a little like my Brookies recipe, but with the peanut butter addition. Peanut Butter Stuffed Brookies was another option, but that wasn’t quite right, either.
• Chewy peanut butter pan squares was another option but that was a mouthful.
• Old School Peanut Butter Chews. That was a possibility.
• Creamy Peanut Butter Bars? No. That one didn’t mention the chocolate.

You see my dilemma. In the end I went with Chocolate Peanut Butter Chewies because, well. . .that’s what they are!

Whatever You Call Them, These Treats are Delicious!

If you like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups you’re going to adore these Chewies. They have that luscious chocolate flavor you love, but that punch of peanut butter in the top layer is the ideal complement. 

I’m so glad I decided to throw in the chocolate chips. They added a creamy texture and toned down the peanut butter. 

These are thick, gooey, and beyond ridiculously good. 

More than anything, I was amazed that I did all of this with a couple of cake mixes. I can’t wait to make these for the grandkids. They’re big fans of peanut butter so I’m guessing these Chewies will be a big hit! Talk about the perfect snack! 

Variations to this Delicious Recipe

I’m pretty crazy about these, just like they are. But you know me. . .I’m already thinking of ways to mix things up. Here are some ideas that come to mind: 

Use my Perfect Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe for the top layer: If you do this, the texture will be more like traditional Brookies (with a cookie top). And did I mention my homemade peanut butter cookie recipe is amazing? (I hate to brag, but it’s true.)

Peanut butter chips in the chocolate layer: I know, right?  Doesn’t this sound delicious? Just throw in half a cup before baking. Another option would be butterscotch chips.

Crunchy peanut butter in the top layer: I used smooth peanut butter but you’re more than welcome to use crunchy. If you don’t have crunchy, ou can always add. . .

Chopped peanuts: I mean, why not? You can add them to either layer, but you can also sprinkle them on top before baking. 

Chocolate ganache frosting: Chewies don’t usually have frosting but these are so soft and luscious, I think that a ganache frosting would send them over the top! That melted chocolate drizzled over peanut butter? Yes, please!

Oats: I love adding oats to my baked goods because they add structure and texture. I think they would be lovely in the peanut butter layer. Just a half a cup will do. 

If you only have white sugar on hand, use it by adding a bit of dark Karo syrup to it.

Other Ooey-Gooey Favorites from Out of the Box Baking

If you love these Chewies you’re going to adore the following luscious desserts. 

Easy Chocolate Chip Brookies: These are as gooey and delicious as you might imagine. My original Brookies are loaded with flavor and texture! 

Easy Cake Mix Brownies: You can use a cake mix to make just about anything, y’all! 

Doctored Brownie Mix with Mint Chocolate: These are absolutely swoon-worthy! I use them as a base for my Mint Oreo Trifle, my family’s all-time favorite at Christmas time. 

Perfect Easy Brownies from Scratch: The perfect brownies offer the best of all thing things you love. They’re fudgy, chocolate-y, crisp on the edges, and crackly on top. No pressure!

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That’s it for this post, friends! I hope you enjoyed this delicious peanut butter chews recipe. 

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About the Author

Janice Thompson is an author, baker, and all-around mischief maker! She has overcome a host of baking catastrophes, including a toppled wedding cake, to learn more about the baking process. Janice has published over 150 books for the Christian market but particularly enjoys writing recipes and baking devotions. To learn more about Janice or to drop her a note, visit her About the Author page.