Gluten-free chocolate brownies are rich and topped with fluffy peanut butter frosting, the perfect match between two amazing tastes!
Brownie:
1/2 cup butter
2 cups semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips, plus 3/4 cup reserved
1 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
4 eggs
2/3 cup brown rice flour *
1/3 cup tapioca starch *
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Frosting:
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
Optional: 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream, or milk
* If you do not need a gluten free version of this recipe, simply substitute 1 cup of AP flour for the items marked with an *
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper or line it with foil and grease it very well with butter.
Melt the butter in a large saucepan, over medium heat. When the butter has melted, add the chocolate chips and stir with a wooden spoon until they have melted. Remove from the heat, add the sugars and stir to combine.
Add the vanilla and then whisk or stir in the the eggs, one at a time. When the mixture is smooth and shiny, slowly add the dry ingredients to the mixture in the saucepan. Stir in the reserved chocolate chips. Spread the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 28-32 minutes, just until an inserted toothpick shows moist crumbs. Let the bars cool completely before frosting.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, butter, and peanut butter. Beat with a wire whisk until thoroughly combined. Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until fluffy. The frosting should be thick, creamy and spreadable. If it becomes too thick to easily spread, add a tablespoon of cream or milk and beat again, adding an additional tablespoon of liquid only if necessary.
Gently spread the frosting over the completely cooled brownies and chill for 1-2 hours until firm. Slice into bars. Store the remaining brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.