Every once in a while, I get around to making something that my vegan friend Jon can eat. He’s a fan of peanut butter, and I’m a fan of dessert, so this seemed recipe seemed like a fair compromise. It doesn’t use any non-dairy milks or tofu (brownie recipes with tofu: you’re trying too hard), so just about everyone should be able to enjoy these! (And they did. These didn’t last long at Jon’s!)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger (optional)
• 1 cup oil
• 1 cup water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Microwave the peanut butter for 30 seconds in a small bowl, then stir briefly until smooth and spreadable.

Put all the dry ingredients in a large bowl and stir together, including either of the optional spices, if wanted. I added the cinnamon, but don’t think I really noticed it in the final product. Put all the wet ingredients in a medium bowl and stir together, then pour into the dry goods. Stir until just combined.

Pour half of the batter into a greased 8X8″ dish. Spread the peanut butter over the batter, without bringing it all the way to the edges of the dish.

Pour the other half of the batter on top, and bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes, until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.

These tasted more peanut butter-y than you’d think, and everyone liked them a lot!

Vegan Peanut Butter Brownies

From VegWeb.com.

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger (optional)
• 1 cup oil
• 1 cup water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease an 8X8″ dish.

Put the peanut butter in a small bowl and microwave 30 seconds. Stir briefly until smooth and spreadable.

Combine dry ingredients, including desired spices, in a large bowl and stir together. Combine wet ingredients in a medium bowl, stir, and then pour into dry ingredients. Stir until just combined.

Pour half the batter in the prepared dish, then top with peanut butter. Pour remaining batter on top and bake 35-45 minutes. Cool in dish.

(HI JON!)