Peanut Butter Stuffed Deep Dish Frosted Brownies

I made peanut butter stuffed (Tag-A-Long cookie) brownies a few months ago using a boxed mix.  These are made from scratch and so sinfully delicious.  There are a few adaptations from traditional brownies to reduce the fat, sugar, and carbs a little.

Ingredients:

Brownies-

4 ounces semi sweet chips

3 tablespoons unsweetened apple sauce

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

¾ cup packed dark brown sugar

¼ cup white sugar

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

½ teaspoon salt

2 large eggs cold

1 tablespoon brewed coffee cold

¼ cup cocoa powder

¾ cup all purpose flour

¼ cup baking soda

12-16 Tag A Long Girl Scout Cookies

¼ cup peanut butter chips

Frosting-

1 cup powdered sugar

3 tablespoons cocoa powder

3 tablespoons extra virgin coconut oil

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon brewed coffee

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray 8×8 pan with baking spray.
2. Melt chocolate chips with applesauce and vegetable oil in a microwavable safe bowl for 2 minutes.  Stir.  Set aside.
3. Add brown and white sugars, salt, and vanilla to a medium bowl.  Add chocolate mixture and stir.
4. Add eggs and coffee.  Mix until batter is thick and glossy.
5. Add cocoa, flour, and baking soda.  Stir until flour is incorporated.
6. Spread a layer of batter in the pan.  Gently press 12 cookies in rows of 3 or 4.  Top with remaining batter.  If you have leftover cookies you can crush them in a food processor and sprinkle on top.  I added these before baking but you can add crushed cookies on top of the frosting instead of peanut butter chips. 
7. Bake 40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Let cool on a wire rack.
9. Melt coconut oil in microwave for 30 seconds in a medium bowl.  Add sugar, cocoa powder, honey, coffee, and vanilla extract. Mix to fold in all ingredients.
10. Spread frosting over brownies.  Top with crushed cookies or peanut butter chips.  (I was making 2 types of brownies and needed the peanut butter chips to help guests distinguish between the types of brownies because of nut allergies).