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These simple buckeye brownies have three layers of goodness, perfect for chocolate and peanut butter lovers!
If you’re familiar with Easy Buckeyes, you’ll have to try this brownie version! Buckeye brownies are chocked full of peanut butter and chocolate goodness, just like our Reese’s Brownies.
Chocolate & Peanut Butter Deliciousness
Brownies are 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 the ones to try.
With a brownie base, peanut butter fudge center, and chocolate top, they’re hard not to love!
So, what is a buckeye brownie?
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 makes 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.
Easy Buckeye BrOWNIES
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. 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!
Storage
STORE. 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.
FREEZE. Once the brownies have cooled completely, cut them into squares. 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.
Recipe FAQ
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.
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.
For best results, the peanut butter layer should be made with creamy peanut butter like Skippy or Jif. Avoid natural peanut butter.
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.
For More Brownie Recipes:
Buckeye Brownies Recipe
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!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Super good! Very easy to make and veganize. And yes use the larger pan as instructed in this recipe, once the peanut butter layer goes on top you need the extra room. I’ll definitely be making these again.
Yay! Thanks for trying them!!
The peanut butter and the top chocolate layer separated from the brownie when I cut them after being cooled. When I tried to plate them, it was a big mess and nothing I could take out in public. What did I do wrong?
This looks like a wonderful recipe. Question: Can you freeze after they are completely iced? Or do you freeze them with the brownie layer only? thanks!
You can freeze them after being completely iced. You’ll just want to make sure they are completely cool and set before freezing.
Thank you!! Everyone loves this recipe and so easy!!
Can I use cake mix instead ?
You could! It would turn into more of a buckeye (chocolate/peanut butter) cake rather than brownies.
Can use 1/2 chocolate chips instead of 1 cup?
I make these every holiday, Birthday any out of town visitors.
I’m a baker by trade and this is always the most requested treat for the past 4 years
Oh that is awesome!! I’m so glad to hear this recipe is a hit!
Added a tick of milk to the topping. Other than that- this was a home run. Easy and tasted great.
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed the brownies!
Can the buckeye brownies be frozen?
This looks delicious going to make this today to make it to my daughter’s house TMW.
Everyone’s going to love this ♥️
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.
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 family loves this recipe, and it’s been foolproof every time!
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!
Delicious! A little rich, but sooo good!
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed the brownies.
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!!
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. 🙂
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!
These brownies are so rich! The peanut butter and chocolate is perfection! They are so simple to make too!
That peanut butter fudge layer…. Yum!
The best combination of brownies and peanut butter. A decadent treat for family and friends.
Peanut butter & chocolate make the best combination! These brownies are soft & nice & thick! And, of course, the best part is the creamy top layer!
This recipe was very easy and turned out delicious!! I will definitely make them again.
Awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed the brownies!!
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!
These are absolutely amazing and so much easier to make than traditional buckeyes 💜💜
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!
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!
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!
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!
EXCELLENT and super easy! Thanks!
You are so welcome! Glad you think so 🙂 Thank you!
3rd time making these in a wEek! They are very addicting.
Woohoo!! So glad you like them as much as we do! Thank you!
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!
Thank you. Excited to make them.
Excited for you to try them!! Hope you like them!
WoUld it be ok of I used semisweet chicolate chips? This is currently All i have in my pantry….
Yes, of course 🙂 Enjoy!!
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!
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 🙂
I’m going to try this f or thanks giving they look amazing
They are 🙂 Hope you like them!
Made these , they turned out great!!
I am so glad they did!! Thank you for letting me know 🙂
These are a family favorite. So many yummy layers!!
Our family loves these, too! Thanks for the 5 stars 🙂
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!
Yummy!!! A dear friend nicknamed these brownies “crack” because they are so delicious!
LOL!!! They are delicious! Thanks so much for stopping by!
That looks amazing!!!
They are!!! Thanks for stopping by!
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!
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 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
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! 😀
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?
I have made these for my family twice (so far..) and they are fantastic! My question is, has anyone ever tried freezing them? My sons and their families are coming for several days over thanksgiving and I’m trying to do as much in advance as possible, and these brownies are a MUST HAVE! And thank you for the wonderful recipe!
Yummmm! These look amazing! I can’t wait to try them and see the smiles on my kiddos faces when they munch them up! PINNED!
I change the fillings…add cream de menth,cherry, or orange flavoring…only I make scratch brownies with a can of Hershey’s …the bomb.
Can I use salted butter? Will it make that much of a difference? That’s all I have besides margarine…
I think salted butter would work, but in general, I always use unsalted butter in my baking. 😉
wondering if I can use a cake mix instead of brownie mix !
I’d definitely wait til you can get brownie mix… they really won’t be brownies without it. 😉
These brownies were amazing. My family loved them. Big hit I know I willbe making alot of these. Thank you. Dina Houston Tx
My family loves them too!!! Glad they were a hit. 😉
These look delicious. I’m going to try them. Thank you.
These are great, I added walnuts, raisins, and cho chips to the brownie mix, now they are to die for, I even crushed up walnuts and sprinkled them over the top of the brownies when they were done, thanks for a great receipe
Oooh – sound delish! Glad they were a hit! Have a great day. 🙂
Keep thise those recipes coming! Yum!
Will do!!!
Mmm..those buckeye brownies look delicuos..thanku for recipe..please send more..
They really are super delicious! Hope you like them. 🙂
Can’t waite to try the new Bronnies,look great
You will love them!
Made 10 different brownies for a party. These were the favorite! They were also able to stand the heat during a summer graduation party. No melting. Perfect for picnics!
Woo hoo!! Yay for beating out 9 other recipes!! ;D
Can I use homemade caramel on the buckey brownies instead of peanut butter? Please let me know Thanks
I’ve never tried it, but if you do and it works, let me know. Would love to make a note of it in the recipe. 😉
These are so amazing!! I made them for a family get together and they were devoured in minutes. Making them now for my husband fantasy football draft party 🙂 thanks for the recipe.
You’re welcome. I love to hear that a recipe is a hit. Have a great week!!
Look great will try
Wondering.. the list of ingred. lists 1/2 cup butter..
then it reads : add the 1/2 cup butter to p-sugar & so on.
then : add ‘remaining’ butter to melted choc chips..
was there a typo ???
Wondering the same thing… 6tbsp of butter is neither 1/2 cup nor 1/2 stick..
Ohhh nevermind, I just saw my error!
are these able to be frozen?
Could you use semi sweet chocolate chips or does it need to be milk chocolate? These look amazing!
Hey there! I just made these tonight – a double batch in my big lasagna pan. Oooooooh my. Quite honestly the best dessert I have made in forever! There are going to be some very happy people at our after-church luncheon tomorrow! I used Reynolds Non-Stick foil and Pam and removed the whole slab of brownies from the pan after they cooled completely and then added the peanut butter buttercream and chocolate layers so that I would be able to cut the brownies into smaller squares than, I’m sure, the kids at the luncheon would have! :o) A little of these goes a long way – very, very good! Thanks for an amazing recipe!
Oh, Jen… comments like yours totally make my day!!I’m so glad you liked them. I hope everyone at the luncheon did too. 😉
Oh my! They look so good, can’t wait to try them!
YUM! These all look so good. I don’t crave brownies very often, but when I do I want to eat the whole pan. You may have inspired that craving again ;o) pinned.
These look and sound fantastic!
They are the best brownies ever!! Let me know if you try them out – would love to know what you think. 🙂
I’m drooling! They all look so delicious.
P.S. I found you through the link party on http://www.skiptomylou.org
Trust me – they really are drool worthy! 😉 Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
“when your hour is just about up” – What does this mean? I want to make sure I have the recipe right 😀
No need to wait an hour… that was a typo. You can make the frosting to put on the second layer as soon as you put it on. 😉
Thank you! I have to try this!
LOVE these! I have them on my “must make” list. Thanks for hosting the party as well – I shared my Roasted Chicken with Clementines.
Thanks, Donya
I know these would be a big hit in our house! Just pinned them! Visiting from the Link Party Palooza!
These Buckeye Brownies look SO delicious!
I may just make these this weekend.
~ Angela
THANK YOU!! 😀
What does it mean by “when your hour is just about up” in the Buckeye Brownies recipe?
That was a typo – Its changed now. 🙂
I would die for these!!! OMG.
These look amazing! I’ve made a similar recipe and they are always a hit! Pinning! xo
Thanks for pinning. 🙂
Oh my goodness- my family would freak over these!!
Wow! Those look amazing!
Thank you, Cindy!! They taste pretty amazing too. I’ve always LIKED brownies, but this recipe may have converted this like to LOVE. 😉
They look amazing!! Pinned 🙂
xoxox
Thanks, Jen! XO