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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.
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. 🙂