Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Brownies with Chocolate Ganache Layer

Brownies: one of my favorite treats growing up.  Cookie dough: my favorite part of baking cookies and the part of cookie dough ice cream I always eat first.  Put them together and you get the ultimate brownie.  This recipe is definitely a keeper and a winner at any dinner party.  These brownies take a little more time then regular brownies but it's pretty easy and worth it! Enjoy :)

Ingredients:

The Brownie Part:

1/2 cup butter

2 one ounce squares unsweetened chocolate

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup white sugar

2 large eggs

1/2 cup and 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

The Cookie Dough Part:

1/4 cup softened butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons milk

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup and 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

Ganache Layer:

3/4 cup dark chocolate chips

1/4 cup whipping cream

1/4 cup crushed peanuts

Directions: 

Heat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease an 8 by 8 inch baking pan.  

Brownies: Microwave butter and unsweetened chocolate for 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. Stir until chocolate and butter are completely melted and add the vanilla. Set the chocolate mixture aside. Beat the eggs and sugar and add the chocolate mixture. Add flour, baking powder, salt, and chocolate chips.  Spread this mixture in the pan and bake until brownies are set (22-28 minutes).  Let cool for 30 minutes

Cookie Dough: add butter and sugar and mix until creamy. Add the milk and peanut butter and then stir in the flour and salt.  Mix well and spread the cookie dough over the cooled brownies.

Ganache Layer: 

Place chocolate chips and whipping cream in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for one minute, stirring after 30 seconds. Spread this over the brownies and sprinkle the crushed peanuts on top. Refrigerate until dough and ganache layer are set (for about 1 hour).