There’s something deeply comforting about baking a rich, chocolatey treat—especially one that fills your kitchen with the irresistible scent of cocoa and warm fudge. The first time I made this Hot Fudge Brownie Bread loaded with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, I was looking for a dessert that could deliver both intense chocolate satisfaction and a creamy, nutty surprise in every bite. What I didn’t expect was how quickly it would become one of my most requested recipes from friends, family, and customers alike.
What makes this brownie bread so special is the perfect fusion of textures and flavors. Imagine the dense, fudgy core of a brownie, paired with pockets of molten peanut butter cups, and a tender crumb that slices like a dream. It’s the kind of treat that makes people close their eyes after the first bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This isn’t just a brownie, and it’s not quite a loaf cake either—it’s the best of both worlds. You’ll love the rich chocolate flavor balanced with just the right amount of sweetness from the peanut butter cups. The texture is melt-in-your-mouth moist, with bits of Reese’s scattered throughout to surprise and delight.
Versatile
Whether you’re making it for a bake sale, a family dessert, or just to enjoy with a cup of coffee, this brownie bread adapts beautifully to any occasion. It can be served warm as a dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, sliced into thick slabs for a decadent snack, or wrapped up as a thoughtful homemade gift.
Affordable
You don’t need any fancy ingredients or equipment—just a mixing bowl, a loaf pan, and pantry staples like cocoa powder, eggs, flour, and butter. Even the Reese’s cups are affordable and easy to find at any local grocery store.
Ingredients for the Recipe
Here’s what you’ll need to bring this brownie bread to life:
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All-purpose flour
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Unsweetened cocoa powder
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Baking soda
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Salt
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Unsalted butter (melted)
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Granulated sugar
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Brown sugar
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Eggs
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Plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
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Vanilla extract
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Hot fudge sauce (store-bought or homemade)
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Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (chopped)
This Hot Fudge Brownie Bread is pure chocolate indulgence, layered with rich peanut butter and a soft interior that stays moist for days. Once you try it, you’ll see why it earns a spot in your regular baking rotation.
How to Prepare This Recipe
Creating this Hot Fudge Brownie Bread with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups is a satisfying and simple baking experience. It’s one of those recipes that gives you big rewards without the need for complex steps or specialty tools. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll likely find yourself returning to it time and time again.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Preparation
1. Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 175°C (350°F). Lightly grease a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the sides. This helps with easy removal once your brownie bread is baked.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Mixing these dry ingredients first ensures everything is evenly distributed before combining with the wet ingredients.
3. Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk 1/2 cup of melted unsalted butter with 1/2 cup of granulated sugar and 1/2 cup of brown sugar until smooth. Add 2 large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in 1/3 cup of plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream) and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. This combination brings richness and moisture to the batter.
4. Incorporate the Hot Fudge Sauce
Add 1/2 cup of hot fudge sauce to the wet mixture and stir until fully incorporated. Make sure the sauce is warm but not hot, so it blends smoothly without cooking the eggs.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined—avoid overmixing to maintain a soft and tender crumb.
6. Fold in the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Chop 1 cup of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups into small chunks and fold them into the batter. Reserve a few chunks to sprinkle on top before baking for an attractive finish.
7. Transfer Batter to Pan
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top with a spatula. Press the remaining chopped peanut butter cups gently into the surface of the batter.
8. Bake the Bread
Place the pan in the center of your preheated oven and bake for 55–65 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—it should come out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
9. Cool Before Slicing
Once baked, let the brownie bread cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then use the parchment overhang to lift it out and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. The bread will firm up as it cools, making it easier to cut clean slices.
Quick and Easy
Despite the rich result, this brownie bread doesn’t require any stand mixer or complex techniques. Everything is done by hand with basic kitchen tools, and the process flows quickly from step to step. From start to finish, you’ll need just over an hour, and much of that is baking time.
Customizable
This recipe is very flexible. You can swap the Reese’s for other candies like chopped chocolate bars or caramel-filled squares. For a more intense peanut butter experience, swirl a tablespoon or two of peanut butter into the top of the batter before baking. If you prefer a less sweet version, reduce the sugar slightly or use dark chocolate cocoa powder.
Popular with Many People
This dessert has something for everyone. Chocolate lovers adore the deep cocoa flavor, while peanut butter fans appreciate the creamy, nutty bursts throughout. It’s an especially big hit with kids and a favorite at potlucks, bake sales, and casual get-togethers. You’ll often find people asking for the recipe after just one slice.
Baking this Hot Fudge Brownie Bread is more than just making dessert—it’s about delivering joy through rich flavor and a comforting homemade treat. Its popularity stems not only from how delicious it is but also from how easy it is to make and share.
PrintHot Fudge Brownie BreadReese’s Peanut Butter Cup Brownies
This Hot Fudge Brownie Bread with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups is the ultimate fusion of rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and fudgy goodness. Easy to make and packed with indulgent flavor, it’s the perfect dessert loaf to share—or keep all to yourself. Moist, dense, and layered with chopped Reese’s throughout, this loaf delivers bakery-level results with simple ingredients from your pantry.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 60
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 10 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup hot fudge sauce (slightly warm)
- 1 cup chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (plus more for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In another bowl, combine melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Whisk until smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in yogurt and vanilla extract.
- Add the warm hot fudge sauce to the wet ingredients and mix until fully combined.
- Gradually fold in the dry ingredients until just incorporated—do not overmix.
- Fold in chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, reserving a few pieces for the topping.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Press remaining peanut butter cup pieces gently into the top of the batter.
- Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Slice and serve as desired.
Notes
For best results, use room temperature eggs and yogurt.
Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to keep the loaf tender.
The loaf will firm up as it cools, making it easier to slice cleanly.
Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days at room temperature.
FAQs
Can I make this brownie bread in advance?
Yes, absolutely. This brownie bread stays moist for several days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. In fact, the flavor intensifies slightly after resting overnight, making it ideal for baking ahead of time.
Can I freeze it?
Yes, it freezes beautifully. Let the brownie bread cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and a layer of foil. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Can I use a different candy instead of Reese’s?
Of course. You can substitute with any chocolate candies or even use chocolate chips, caramel bites, or chopped chocolate bars. Just make sure they’re chopped into small pieces to distribute evenly through the batter.
What can I use instead of hot fudge sauce?
If hot fudge isn’t available, you can substitute it with chocolate ganache or a thick chocolate syrup. Just make sure it’s rich and not too runny, as that would affect the batter’s texture.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes, simply use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Be sure it contains xanthan gum or a stabilizer to maintain structure. Check the labels on your other ingredients as well to confirm they’re gluten-free.