This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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.
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!