PEANUT BUTTER BROWNIES WITH SALTED PRETZELS

Steps:

• For the brownies: Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper, pressing the parchment into the corners and up the sides of the pan and leaving an overhang on 2 sides. Butter the parchment and dust lightly with flour.
• Melt the 1 stick butter in a small saucepan or high-sided skillet over medium-low heat. Add the chopped chocolate and cook, stirring constantly, until mostly melted. Remove from the heat and continue stirring until the chocolate is completely melted. Transfer to a large heatproof bowl, let cool for 10 minutes and then whisk in the eggs, water and vanilla.
• In another large bowl, combine the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt; whisk to combine. Transfer the dry ingredients to the melted chocolate then fold with a rubber spatula to combine. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Set aside.
• For the topping: Stir together the peanut butter, confectioners' sugar and melted butter in a medium bowl until smooth.
• Spoon dollops of the peanut butter mixture on top of the brownie batter. Holding a butter knife vertically, swirl up and down and horizontally and vertically until the batter and topping are nicely swirled together. Sprinkle the chopped pretzels over the top.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few crumbs, about 35 minutes.
• Let the brownies cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Using the parchment "handles," lift the brownies out of the baking dish and transfer to a cutting board to cool completely before slicing into 12 bars.