These Buckeye Brownies have 3 layers of goodness with a brownie base, a peanut butter fudge center and chocolate top. They’re the perfect dessert for the chocolate and peanut butter lover.
If you’re familiar with buckeye balls, you’ll have to try this brownie version! They’re chocked full of pb+chocolate goodness, just like our reese’s brownies and layered like our bomb brownies.
Chocolate & Peanut Butter Deliciousness
Do you like brownies? It’s one of our “go-to” recipes if we’re looking for a quick and yummy treat. I always have the ingredients on hand, plus some ice cream, so we have an instant delicious dessert—which is nice since we’ve been trying to invite more people over for dinner and/or dessert.
I thought it would be fun to change things up from our typical plain brownies. If you’re a fan of brownies, and especially chocolate and peanut butter, these Buckeye Brownies are ones to try.
With a brownie base, peanut butter fudge center and chocolate top, they’re hard not to love! So, why are they called “Buckeye” Brownies?
Buckeyes are a treat made from a peanut butter fudge partially dipped in chocolate. This is a brownie version because it uses the same kind of peanut butter fudge in the middle and is also topped with chocolate.
Adding the layer of brownie on the bottom make them even more irresistible!!
The Three Layers
BROWNIE. Good news: This is the easy part! I just use a box mix for the brownie base! Follow the directions on the box and bake in a 9×13 pan.
If you do want to go the “entirely-from-scratch” route, you could use this brownie recipe (minus the frosting of course), but double it for a 9×13 pan.
PEANUT BUTTER. My favorite layer 😉 All you have to do is mix the pb and powdered sugar until it’s well mixed and feels a little like play dough. Then use your fingers to spread it and pat it down on top of the *completely cooled* brownies.
CHOCOLATE TOPPING. Melt remaining butter and chocolate chips over low heat, then pour over the top of the peanut butter layer. Let it cool again before slicing and serving.
Milk chocolate chips or semi sweet? You can use either for the chocolate topping! If you prefer a sweet and creamy chocolate topping, go with the milk chocolate chips. If you want something slightly more bitter and rich, then use semi sweet.
Optional Toppings: Although this would be straying from the “traditional” buckeye, you’re welcome to add something extra. Feel free to add crushed peanuts, chocolate sprinkles, and/or chocolate chips to the brownie mix or to the top.
Save them for later
To freeze: Once the brownies have cooled completely, cut them into squares. Flash freeze them by placing the individual brownies on a cookie sheet in freezer for 1-2 hours or until they have hardened. Once hardened, wrap each square tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Place them in an airtight freezer bag or container for up to 3 months.
For more brownie recipes, check out:
- Samoa Fudge Recipes
- Easy Mint Brownies
- Nutella Brownies
- Cheesecake Brownies
- Frosted Berry Brownies
- Cookie Dough Brownies
- Milky Way Caramel Crispy Brownies
Buckeye Brownie Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a 9×13 pan, make and bake brownie mix according to box directions. Let cool.
- In a bowl add your powdered sugar, ½ cup butter and peanut butter. Mix well. Spread with fingers over the brownies and pat down (it has a consistency similar to playdough).
- Melt together chocolate chips and remaining butter in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Spread over brownies 2nd layer. Let cool and ENJOY!
The author initially said to mix the powdered sugar and peanut butter, although the recipe states to mix the peanut butter, powdered sugar and the butter. The recipe states to use 1/2 cup of butter, whereas it probably should be 1/4 cup of butter. Using 1/2 cup of butter produces a mix far more wet than the consistency of “playdough”.
Please be cautious with this recipe.
Thank you for sharing this info with me. I will definitely try changing the amount of butter in the recipe next time I make these and see how they turn out. Thanks so much for your suggestion!
I made this recipe with butter that was only softened on the counter instead of melted and a half a cup, which is a stick, was perfect. However if I had melted the butter it would’ve changed everything completely so maybe that’s the problem? Anyways, the recipe was delicious and my family enjoyed it immensely.
Yes – the consistency of the butter does affect the outcome of the brownies (same with cookies as well). Butter that is softened on the counter is the best for this recipe.
These are delicious! My son loves to make these for our family, and we all love them!
These are absolutely amazing and so much easier to make than traditional buckeyes 💜💜
Sorry – I read through the comments and didn’t see the answer. Refrigerate after done?? Thanks!
They don’t have to be refrigerated, but they can. I’d suggest storing in an air-tight container though. They should last a couple days on the counter. These also freeze well, too!