These Easy Peanut Butter Brownie Ice Cream treats are a fun dessert combining chocolatey brownies with creamy ice cream and peanut butter. It’s a delightful mix of flavors everyone will love!
Making this treat is super simple—just layer brownie pieces with ice cream and swirls of peanut butter. I like to add some crunch with crushed peanuts on top. Yum!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Ice Cream: You can use either vanilla or peanut butter ice cream. If you’re looking for something lighter, consider using a dairy-free or reduced-sugar ice cream. I personally love a good vanilla base because it lets the peanut butter and brownie flavors shine!
Brownies: Store-bought brownies save time, but homemade brownies are often richer. If you have leftover brownies, they work perfectly here. You could also substitute with blondies for a different twist!
Peanut Butter: Creamy peanut butter is best for drizzling. If you prefer crunchy, that adds a nice texture! For nut allergies, sunflower seed butter or almond butter are great substitutes.
Optional Toppings: Chopped peanuts or chocolate chips add crunch and flavor. You can leave these out or even swap them for sprinkles or crushed cookies if you’d like something a bit different.
How Do I Create Perfect Peanut Butter Swirls?
The key to a delightful peanut butter swirl is gentle mixing. Here’s how to do it:
- Warm the peanut butter slightly in the microwave to make it easier to drizzle.
- After layering the ice cream and brownies, drizzle warm peanut butter over the top.
- Use a knife or spoon to make gentle swirls, avoiding too much mixing to keep distinct layers intact.
Taking your time with this swirl technique elevates the presentation and taste—trust me, it’s worth it!
Easy Peanut Butter Brownie Ice Cream
Ingredients:
- 1 pint vanilla or peanut butter ice cream, softened slightly
- 1 cup brownies, cut into small chunks (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter, warmed slightly for drizzle
- Optional: chopped peanuts or chocolate chips for garnish
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful dessert takes about 10 minutes to prepare and requires an additional 2 hours to freeze, so plan ahead for a tasty treat ready to enjoy! Total time is around 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Softening the Ice Cream:
Start by letting your ice cream soften at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes. You want it to be scoopable but not fully melted—this makes it easier to mix with the brownies.
2. Mixing in the Brownies:
In a large mixing bowl, gently fold the brownie chunks into the softened ice cream. Be careful not to overmix; you want to keep those delightful brownie bits intact throughout the ice cream!
3. Layering the Mixture:
Transfer the brownie and ice cream mixture into a container. Drizzle the warmed peanut butter over the top. Use a knife or spoon to gently swirl the peanut butter into the mixture for those charming peanut butter ribbons.
4. Freezing:
Cover the container and freeze the mixture until firm, which should take about 2 hours. This step is crucial for achieving the perfect scoopable texture!
5. Serving:
Once frozen, scoop the ice cream into bowls. If you’re feeling fancy, add a sprinkle of chopped peanuts or chocolate chips on top for extra texture and deliciousness!
6. Enjoy:
Dig in and relish this easy-to-make peanut butter brownie ice cream treat! Perfect for warm days or as a special dessert anytime!
Can I Use Store-Bought Brownies for This Recipe?
Absolutely! Store-bought brownies are a great time-saver and work perfectly in this recipe. Just cut them into small chunks to mix with your ice cream. If you have leftovers from a homemade batch, feel free to use those too!
How Long Can I Store the Ice Cream?
This ice cream can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to two weeks. Just make sure to let it soften a bit at room temperature before scooping if it becomes too hard!
What If I Don’t Have Peanut Butter?
No worries! You can substitute with another nut butter like almond or cashew butter. For a nut-free option, sunflower seed butter works wonderfully and still offers that creamy texture!
Can I Add Other Mix-Ins?
Definitely! Feel free to mix in ingredients like chocolate chips, crushed cookies, or even caramel swirls for an extra flavor dimension. Just remember not to overmix to keep each ingredient distinct and delicious!
