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 9x13 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!
Any tips on cutting them once they are done? Do you stick them in fridge to keep brownie layer more adhered to top? I’m not getting the crisp pretty cute like your photo. 🙂
Hmmm, I always cut my brownies with a plastic knife because it doesn’t gunk up on the knife and make it messy. Did you try that?
Oh my so will be making buckeye brownies found u from a friend on fb where can I sign up to make sure I see your great recipes?
You can sign up by subscribing HERE! 😀
I really thought this wasa real recipe. Sad to see it’s another boxed “creation”. I’m sure it’s good, but rather make from scratch.
OMG so make it without a homemade brownie recipe!! Smh
I have made these brownies twice. I decided to alter the recipe a little. I only used 1 and1/2:cup of powered sugar. I also used more peanut butter I used 1 and 3/4 of peanut butter. For the chocolate topping I used the.whole package of chocolate chips. I was very happy with the results.
Haha..can’t go wrong with a whole bag of chocolate chips!! Thanks for letting me know!
I don’t do mixes, but will try this with homemade brownies. We prefer dark chocolate, so will use semi-sweet chips. I am sure it will be tasty!
That looks amazing!!!
They are!!! Thanks for stopping by!
Yummy!!! A dear friend nicknamed these brownies “crack” because they are so delicious!
LOL!!! They are delicious! Thanks so much for stopping by!
I made these tonight for an after church get-together- can’t wait to try!!! Do they need to be refrigerated? Thank you!!!
These were a huge hit thank you! Mine turned out more fudge-like than brownie. I did cut the powdered sugar to 1.5 cups instead of 2 which did make it a little more work to spread but worth it- and cut down the butter by 3-4 T all together (a little from the Peanut butter mix and a little from the topping). I would describe this as delicious but extremely rich- next time will cut into smaller pieces. Thank you! Will definitely be making again!!!
I am so glad they were a hit! We love these! I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner!
These are a family favorite. So many yummy layers!!
Our family loves these, too! Thanks for the 5 stars 🙂
Made these , they turned out great!!
I am so glad they did!! Thank you for letting me know 🙂
I’m going to try this f or thanks giving they look amazing
They are 🙂 Hope you like them!
My husband loves homemade brownies but our daughter brought 2 huge little Debbie boxes if brownie and I am wondering If you have any idea how to turn it in to a tasty treat
Haha..that’s a good question! They already have a little frosting & candies on them. I’d get through those, then make some homemade brownies 🙂
These are bomb dot com!!! Everyone gobbled them up fast. I’ll Make a double batch for christmas. ?
LOL..that makes me happy to hear! Thank you so much for letting me know!
WoUld it be ok of I used semisweet chicolate chips? This is currently All i have in my pantry….
Yes, of course 🙂 Enjoy!!
Thank you. Excited to make them.
Excited for you to try them!! Hope you like them!
Headed to a family picnic. We bring a dish And a DESERT to share. Some wanted choc. Some wanted buckeye balls so because of your recipe they GET both in one. Win win thanks for sharing
Yay..it’s a win, win!! Thank you for sharing this recipe with your family!
3rd time making these in a wEek! They are very addicting.
Woohoo!! So glad you like them as much as we do! Thank you!
EXCELLENT and super easy! Thanks!
You are so welcome! Glad you think so 🙂 Thank you!
tHE BUCKEYE BROWNIES WERE DELICIOUS! tHEY GOT RAVE REVIEWS FROM MY FAMILY! sINCE WE’RE ALL OSU FANS, i EXPECT WE’LL BE MAKING IT IN THE FALL FOR fOOTBALL SEASON!
So happy your family loved them! Thank you for letting me know!
I made the PB part ahead of time and rolled to pan size between parchment paper, chilled in fridge and voila!
Perfect!! Glad you tried them! Thank you!