Peanutty Marbled Brownies

Call it what you want, but I seem to be having a bit of the Winter "blah's". It seems like this isn't isolated to me though, two of my favorite blogs have written about the same thing today! It's not so much that I feel trapped by snow or bad weather, or am depressed about anything. It's just that everyone is stuck in the house, getting on each others nerves. When you are stressed it seems easier to focus on the negative, doesn't it?

Anyway, I have been getting a lot done, cleaning wise. Every night when I go to bed, my house is a little cleaner than it started that morning. I'm cooking my family a hot breakfast every morning, as well as a homemade lunch and dinner. I'm reaching some of my goals, so really things aren't so bad after all. :)

Now, to help us all get out of the hum-drum that is Winter, I have a delicious twist on my brownie recipe that I think you will all love. Unless you swell up to the size of a Thanksgiving Day parade balloon if you eat tree nuts.....you might not enjoy this as much as we did!

I apologize in advance for not having a picture, but that tells you how good they were right? ;) I'll be making them again though, they were VERY well loved, and I'll update with a picture then!

Peanutty Marbled Brownies

2/3 cup shortening
1/2 cup cocoa
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup peanut butter

Measure the sugar into a large bowl. Melt the shortening and the cocoa and add it to the cocoa, mix well. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until fluffy. Add the salt, baking soda and flour. Mix until just combined. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan and spread out evenly. Melt the peanut butter and drizzle it over the top of the brownies. Take a thin knife or a toothpick and swirl the peanut butter into the brownies, being careful to not completely stir in all in. You just want to make some swirls so that nearly ever bite will have peanut butter as well. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25-27 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with some fudgy crumbs.