The Brownie Doctor: Peanut Butter M&M Ganache Brownies

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If you stick around here long enough, it will soon become clear that there are two flavors I simply cannot resist: pumpkin, and chocolate peanut butter.

Also, brownies. Do they count as a flavor? Because I'm obsessed. If I had to choose a last meal, brownies would be on the menu. (Along with creamy pesto chicken pasta, caesar salad, and a broccoli/brussel sprouts/caramelized onion sauté, in case you were wondering.)

Is there such a thing as The Brownie Doctor? Because there should be. The Cake Mix Doctor is my family's go to resource for birthdays, and I can only see the concept being improved upon when applied to brownies! Just think of the endless permutations of frostings and ganaches and mix-ins and toppings and fillings you could come up with to spice up an otherwise boring (but delicious! I will always love you, boxed brownies) 'ole brownie mix...

Like peanut butter M&M's and chocolate peanut butter ganache, for example ;)

(The M&M chunks are the best part, if you ask me. Just look at that morsel of peanut buttery goodness peeping out, begging for me to unearth it!)

These are the easiest fake-out fancy brownies ever. Seriously. I mixed them up in my dorm room, on my desk. The only reasons I needed the kitchen were 1. to use the oven for the actual, you know, baking part, and 2. to microwave the ganache.

This is what my desk looks like when I bake brownies on it.

This is what brownie batter looks like with peanut butter M&M's in it.

I think it is a truth universally acknowledged (even among die-hard from scratch bakers like myself) that brownie mixes are just flat out more reliable than from scratch brownies. I feel like every batch of from scratch brownies I make get put in the oven along with crossed fingers and a quick prayer for good measure. I never know what to expect, and consistently good brownie recipes are, in my experience, few and far between.

Box mixes are just safer. But there's no reason they can't be just as gourmet! Case in point:

These brownies are everything you would want peanut butter ganache brownies to be - moist, dense, rich, fudgy - and will satisfy even the most discerning brownie connoisseur with their faux-gourmet flavor. And they literally could not be simpler! Preparation and assembly time probably clocked in at around 15 minutes tops, between the brownie batter and the ganache.

The Brownie Doctor. Let's make this a thing. If anyone out there is looking to commission an author for this bible of brownies...look no further. That's one doctorate degree I would commit to in a heartbeat!

In the meantime, let's settle for making it our first feature on The Batter Thickens. Look for more "Brownie Doctor" concoctions to come!

- Molly, BD

Peanut Butter M&M Ganache Brownies

Brownies:
1 box brownie mix
2 individual bags of peanut butter M&M's

Mix brownie mix as per box instructions. Fold in M&M's. Bake according to box specifications.

Peanut Butter Ganache:
1/3 heaping cup of creamy peanut butter
1 bag of semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup of butter
3 tbsp. heavy whipping cream

Place all ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave in intervals of 15-30 seconds, stirring between each interval. The stirring is very important, because as the ingredients start to warm, stirring will encourage them to blend and melt more; this will prevent you from over-heating and burning the ganache. Add more peanut butter as needed to achieve ideal peanut butter to chocolate ratio. More whipping cream can be added if desired for a smoother, lighting consistency. While still hot, pour over the brownies and smooth the surface. Refrigerate until ganache is set, about 30 minutes.