Decadent Peanut Butter Cup Stuffed Brookie Skillet Step-by-step instructions

Before you start

Before beginning, ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to allow for easier mixing and layering.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your cast-iron skillet by lightly greasing it with butter or cooking spray.

Having your brownie batter and cookie dough prepared and ready to go will streamline the assembly process significantly.

Instructions

Base Layer Assembly

1. 1Prepare the base
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 10-inch cast-iron skillet. Pour half of the prepared brownie batter into the bottom of the skillet, spreading it evenly with a spatula to create a uniform base layer.
   Look for The batter should cover the bottom of the skillet completely without gaps.
   Tip Using a cast-iron skillet ensures even heat distribution and a perfect crisp edge.

The brownie batter should be spread in an even, smooth layer across the bottom of the skillet. Ensure there are no large air pockets trapped under the batter to guarantee even cooking throughout the base layer.

Filling and Top Layer

2. 2Layer the filling
   Place the twelve full-size peanut butter cups on top of the brownie batter layer. Arrange them in a single layer, ensuring they are spaced out slightly so each serving gets a generous amount of filling.
   Look for The peanut butter cups should be fully contained within the skillet boundaries.
   Tip If the peanut butter cups feel too firm, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before placing.
3. 3Add the cookie layer
   Drop spoonfuls of the chocolate chip cookie dough over the peanut butter cups. Use your fingers or a spatula to gently press the dough into an even layer, covering the peanut butter cups completely.
   Look for The dough should form a seal over the peanut butter cups.
   Tip Wet your fingers slightly with water to prevent the cookie dough from sticking while you spread it.

The peanut butter cups should be arranged uniformly, and the cookie dough must form a complete seal. Check that no peanut butter cups are exposed at the edges, which could cause them to leak during baking.

Baking and Garnish

4. 4Bake and finish
   Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 26 minutes. The cookie top should be golden brown and the brownie base should be set but still gooey. Remove from the oven and drizzle with melted peanut butter before serving warm.
   Look for The edges look crisp and the center is soft and molten.
   Safe temperature 160°F (71°C) internal temperature (egg dishes)
   Tip Allow the skillet to rest for 10 minutes before slicing to ensure the layers hold their shape.

The top should be golden and fragrant. When finished, the brookie should look set on the edges but still appear slightly soft in the center, indicating the perfect balance of textures.

Common mistakes

Avoid overbaking the brookie, as this will lead to a dry, crumbly texture instead of the intended fudgy and chewy result.

Do not skip the resting period, as the molten peanut butter needs time to stabilize slightly before slicing. Ensure the cookie dough layer completely covers the peanut butter cups to prevent them from burning on the surface.

How to tell it’s done

The brookie is done when the cookie dough layer on top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the brownie portion comes out with a few moist crumbs.

The internal temperature of the egg-containing batter must reach 160°F (71°C) for food safety. The center will remain gooey due to the melted peanut butter cups.

• Egg dishes: 160°F (71°C) in the thickest part