Description

These Shocking Peanut Butter Brownie Parfaits are a decadent, no-bake layered dessert featuring rich cubes of fudgy brownies, creamy peanut butter and cream cheese filling, and luscious chocolate ganache. Perfectly portioned in individual glasses, this 6-layered treat combines the best flavor and texture with minimal effort, making it an impressive yet easy dessert for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Brownie Base

1 9 by 9 inch pan baked brownies, cooled and cut into cubes

Peanut Butter Cream

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons heavy cream

Chocolate Ganache

4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup heavy cream

Topping (Optional)

Chopped peanut butter cups

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Instructions

Prepare Brownie Cubes: Cut the cooled brownies into small cubes or rounds sized to fit your serving glasses to create the base and layers for the parfait.
Make Peanut Butter Cream: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the creamy peanut butter and powdered sugar and mix thoroughly until creamy and combined.
Flavor and Whip Cream: Add vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream to the peanut butter mixture, then beat until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth. Set aside.
Prepare Chocolate Ganache: Place chopped semi-sweet chocolate in a heat-safe bowl. Heat 1/2 cup heavy cream until just simmering (do not boil), then pour it over the chocolate. Let it sit for 3 minutes to melt, then stir gently until the ganache is smooth and slightly cooled.
Assemble First Layer: Add a layer of brownie cubes to the bottom of each serving glass as the first layer of the parfait.
Add Peanut Butter Cream Layer: Spoon or pipe a generous layer of the prepared peanut butter cream over the brownies in each glass.
Drizzle Ganache: Drizzle a layer of the chocolate ganache over the peanut butter cream to create a rich chocolate layer.
Repeat Layers: Repeat layering with brownies, peanut butter cream, and ganache once more, finishing with a final drizzle of ganache on the top.
Optional Garnish: Sprinkle chopped peanut butter cups on top for added texture and flavor if desired.
Chill: Refrigerate the parfaits for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the layers to set and flavors to meld, resulting in the best texture.

Notes

Use well-cooled brownies to prevent melting the cream layers.
You can make the brownies from scratch or use store-bought brownies for convenience.
Adjust the sweetness in the cream cheese mixture by modifying the powdered sugar amount.
For a thicker ganache, let it cool longer before layering.
These parfaits can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator covered.
Optional toppings like chopped peanut butter cups add extra crunch but can be omitted for a cleaner presentation.