If you love chocolate and peanut butter together, these Buckeye Brownies are about to become your new go to dessert. With a fudgy brownie base, creamy peanut butter layer, and smooth chocolate topping, this is one of those recipes everyone loves.
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.
These brownies are rich, chocolatey, and packed with that classic buckeye flavor we all love. And we’ve made it even more simple by using a brownie box mix as a shortcut.
If you are into chocolate peanut butter desserts, you will also want to try Peanut Butter Bars, Peanut Butter Brownies, and Peanut Butter Cup Cookies.
Why you’ll love it + Why it works:
- Easy Shortcut: Using a boxed brownie mix keeps things simple and quick.
- Make Ahead Friendly: These brownies taste even better after chilling and setting.
- Creamy Middle Layer: The peanut butter mixture adds sweetness and a soft texture contrast.
- Smooth Chocolate Top: Melted chocolate seals everything together into clean, sliceable layers.
Buckey Brownies Ingredients
- Brownie mix (1 box brownie mix plus ingredients on box the brownie mix should yield a 9×13 pan): Creates the fudgy base layer and keeps the recipe quick and consistent. Use your favorite brand for best results.
- Powdered sugar (2 cups powdered sugar): Sweetens the peanut butter layer and gives it that smooth, slightly firm texture.
- Butter (½ cup butter softened): Blends with the peanut butter to create a rich and creamy filling.
- Butter (6 tablespoons butter softened): Melts with the chocolate chips to create a smooth and spreadable topping.
- Creamy peanut butter (1 cup creamy peanut butter): Adds that classic buckeye flavor and makes the middle layer thick and satisfying. We recommend a standard creamy peanut butter for best texture. Avoid natural peanut butter.
- Milk chocolate chips (1 cup milk chocolate chips): Forms the top chocolate layer and adds a sweet, smooth finish to the brownies.
How to Make Buckeye Brownies
BROWNIE. In a 9×13 pan, make and bake brownie mix according to the box directions. Let cool.
PEANUT BUTTER. In a bowl add your powdered sugar, ½ cup butter, and peanut butter. Mix well. Spread the peanut butter mixture with your fingers over the brownie batter and pat down (it has a consistency similar to playdough).
CHOCOLATE TOPPING. Melt together chocolate chips and remaining butter in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Spread over brownies 2nd layer. Let cool and ENJOY!
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Cool Completely: Make sure brownies are fully cooled before adding the peanut butter layer so it spreads easily.
- Use Your Hands: The peanut butter layer is thick, so gently pressing it with your fingers works best.
- Low Heat for Chocolate: Melt slowly to avoid burning and keep the topping smooth.
- Clean Cuts: Chill before slicing and wipe your knife between cuts for neat squares.
- Scratch Brownies: I used a boxed brownie mix to make this recipe easy and quick, but you can use your favorite brownie recipe to fully bake a 9×13 pan of brownies.
- 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, or chocolate chips to the brownie layer or to the top.
Buckeye Brownies Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 box brownie mix plus ingredients on box the brownie mix should yield a 9×13 pan
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup butter softened
- 6 tablespoons 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!
Notes
- Cool Completely: Make sure brownies are fully cooled before adding the peanut butter layer so it spreads easily.
- Use Your Hands: The peanut butter layer is thick, so gently pressing it with your fingers works best.
- Low Heat for Chocolate: Melt slowly to avoid burning and keep the topping smooth.
- Clean Cuts: Chill before slicing and wipe your knife between cuts for neat squares.
- Scratch Brownies: I used a boxed brownie mix to make this recipe easy and quick, but you can use your favorite brownie recipe to fully bake a 9×13 pan of brownies.
- 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, or chocolate chips to the brownie layer or to the top.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Whether you make the brownies ahead of time or wish to store leftovers, they store best in the refrigerator. Keep them covered, and they will last for up to 5 days. You can serve them chilled or let them come to room temperature.
Cool and cute the brownies. Flash-freeze them by placing the individual brownies on a cookie sheet in the 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.
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This recipe was first shared March, 2018.
Salted or unsalted butter?
I used unsalted butter.