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 peanut butter and 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.
I thought it would be fun to change things up from our classic 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
3 layers of goodness. Here are the layers that make up this yummy dessert:
- BROWNIE. Good news: This is the easy part! I just use a box brownie mix for the brownie base! 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 baking dish.
- PEANUT BUTTER. My favorite layer 😉 It’s a nice thick layer of peanut butter mixed with powdered sugar, making it light and creamy.
- CHOCOLATE TOPPING. I wouldn’t quite consider this a chocolate ganache, since we use butter rather than cream. It’s more like a frosting.
How to Make Buckeye BrOWNIES
**Note: If you’re using a boxed brownie mix, make sure you also have the ingredients listed on the box (eggs, oil, etc.) before getting started!
BROWNIE LAYER. In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine ingredients for the brownie batter (whether you’re using a box mix, or a homemade brownie recipe (be sure to double for a 9×13 pan). Follow the directions on the box (or from-scratch recipe) and bake in a 9×13 baking dish in the oven.
PEANUT BUTTER. Stir the peanut butter and powdered sugar until it’s well combined and feels a little like play dough. Then, use your fingers to spread the peanut butter mixture 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.
FAQ
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 chocolate.
Optional Toppings? Although this would be straying from the “traditional” buckeye candies, you’re welcome to add something extra. Feel free to add crushed nuts, chocolate sprinkles, and/or chocolate chips to the brownie mix or to the top.
How 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:
Buckeye Brownie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 box 9×13 pan brownie mix plus ingredients on box
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 6 tbsp butter softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
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!
You didn’t understand the comment. Your ingredients state a total amount of 1/2 cup butter. But in step 2 it states to mix the 1/2 cup of butter, then in step 3 it states to add the remaining butter. You don’t have any remaining butter since we used it all in step 2. So do we split the 1/2 cup and use 1/4 cup in each step? Or do we need 1/2 cup for each step? This is a major error for the recipe that is why the commenter was saying be cautious.
Thanks for the clarification. So the 1/2 cup will be mixed with the peanut butter mixture. There is also 6 Tbsp of butter listed in the ingredients. The remaining butter refers to that and will be mixed with the chocolate for the ganache topping. Hopefully that clears up any confusion. 🙂
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.
The first time I made these I used softened butter and they were great. The second & third time, it was in the heat of Summer and my butter got a bit too softened. I solved the consistency issue first by adding more powdered sugar. The second time, added Rice Krispies, enough to get the fudge layer to a decent amount and a spreadable consistency and WOW!! those were a big hit! Now I add 3/4 C peanut butter and approximately 1/2 Rice Krispies.
Always a big hit at family gatherings.
Thanks for sharing what you do!! So glad you enjoy the brownie recipe!
These are delicious! My son loves to make these for our family, and we all love them!
I made a double batch of these for a BBQ a couple of months ago and people are still talking about them and how much they loved them. Just got a request to make some for a gathering this weekend. Will be doubling it again. I added a little bit of vanilla to the peanut butter filling and chocolate layer.
Oh that makes me so happy to hear! I’m glad the brownies were hit! Thanks for sharing what you did too.
I actually got a request for them for a function tomorrow evening. It’s an AA group anniversary (I have 30 years of continuous sobriety) and it’s “pie night” because they lost all of the information about when the group started, so on the first Sunday of November, it’s Pie Night. Usually I follow the tradition, but the person I made them for last time requested the Brownies again. He has terminal cancer and has been a friend of mine for over 30 years. Of course I am making them for him at a pie function, lol! I like to stand out in a crowd anyway. Thanks again. This recipe is fanfreakintastic!
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!
This recipe was very easy and turned out delicious!! I will definitely make them again.
Awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed the brownies!!
Peanut butter & chocolate make the best combination! These brownies are soft & nice & thick! And, of course, the best part is the creamy top layer!
The best combination of brownies and peanut butter. A decadent treat for family and friends.
That peanut butter fudge layer…. Yum!
These brownies are so rich! The peanut butter and chocolate is perfection! They are so simple to make too!
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
How should u store these buckeye brownie??
You can store in an airtight container for a few days or you can even freeze them! There are freezing instructions in the post. 🙂
The most divine easiest recipe ever! I love ALL your recipes! You rock!
Aw, thank you so much! That means a lot. I’m so glad you enjoy the recipes. Thanks for sharing!!
Delicious! A little rich, but sooo good!
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed the brownies.
Just finished making a double batch to take to a party tomorrow. They are REALLY good! I added some vanilla extract to the peanut butter filling and the chocolate layer. The peanut butter layer was very easy to spread with an offset spatula. Extremely happy with the results!
My family loves this recipe, and it’s been foolproof every time!
This recipe should be updated to state brownie mix should be quantity of 2 boxes. Todays brands have reduced the size to 8×8 or 9×9. 2 boxes were enough for a 9×13. I also used my cuisinart mixer for the peanut butter layer.
P.S. I realize my error on ingredients. Recipe was correct for ingredients.
Thanks for the suggestion and sharing what you did.
My friend is gluten free, so I made almond flour brownies instead of a boxed brownie mix. Then, I followed your recipe. They turned out soooo good that the 24 piece dish was emptied in less than 30 minutes.