Best Buckeye Brownies (Peanut Butter And Chocolate!) (2024)

Created By:Heather on January 16, 2024 | Updated: January 19, 2024

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Enjoy a twist on the classic brownie – Buckeye Brownies! This recipe starts with a fudgy chocolate brownie, then a creamy peanut butter layer spread on top, and finished with melted chocolate. This is a perfect potluck dessert to bring to a party or get together!

There’s just certain recipe ideas that I know as soon as I take one bite I’m in trouble. In a “holy cow this is insanely delicious and I better hide the pan on myself” kind of recipe idea. These Buckeye brownies are one of those latest ideas. You’ve been warned.

I was inspired by my Buckeye balls recipe. And I figured after making these crazy good Buckeye cheesecake bars I knew I had to make a brownie version.

These buckeye brownies are everything you love about a Buckeye candy in brownie form. And what goes better than peanut butter and chocolate? Let me break it down for you: these brownies are the perfect balance between the fudgy chocolate layer, creamy peanut butter filling, and the chocolate ganache on top of the brownies.

I started with my easy cocoa brownie recipe as the base. Once those are baked, you’ll spread this simple no bake peanut butter filling on top of the brownie. The filling is basically a Buckeye ball that you’re going to spread on top. And then of course more chocolate. Just an easy two ingredient ganache gets poured over for pure decadence. Pure brownie heaven. In every single bite.

The layers of fudgy homemade brownie, creamy peanut butter, and that ganache on top? It’s not just a recipe; it’s a masterpiece if I do say so myself. Picasso had a paintbrush. I have a spatula. Yes I just compared myself and this brownie recipe to a world renowned artist – let’s move on. Let’s make brownies.

See Also:

• One of my all time favorite desserts are these lemon bars! They are made in one bowl so clean up is a breeze!
• When it’s summertime, then it’s time grab some marshmallows and make these delicious, easy S’mores bars!
• These key lime bars are so easy to make and readers just love them! See for yourself!

Why This Is My New Favorite Dessert

• ​Fudgy homemade brownies (no boxed mix!)
• Tastes just like Buckeye candies
• Perfect for bringing to a potluck
• ​Wonderful to freeze as well

8×8 pan

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Hand Mixer

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Saucepan

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Ingredients Needed

• For the Brownies:
  • 6 tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter, melted– You can also use salted butter but just omit the added salt.
  • 1 ¼ cups (250 g) granulated white sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup (63) unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch or natural)-Use Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a richer chocolate flavor. If you’re using Hershey’s brand this is called “Special Dark”. But you can use either type.
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) oil– You can use any neutral-tasting oil such as vegetable or canola. I love bake with avocado oil!
  • 2 large eggs– Make sure your eggs at room temperature so they blend in easily and don’t seize up the butter.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour –Be sure to measure your flour correctly. Spoon the flour into your cup and level it off.
• For the Peanut Butter Filling:
  • ¼ cup (1/2 stick, 57g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 ½ cups (180 g) confectioners sugar (aka powdered sugar) –If you don’t have any make your own powdered sugar.
  • 1 cup (270 g) peanut butter –I recommend a peanut butter you don’t need to stir as it may be too oily.
  • ¾ teaspoons vanilla extract
• For the Chocolate Topping:
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips –You can also use milk chocolate chips.

How to Make Buckeye Brownies:

Preheat the oven to 350^oF (177^oC). Grease and flour an 8-inch square pan or line with parchment paper.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter. You want the butter hot when combined with the sugar and cocoa in the next step. Transfer the melted butter to a large mixing bowl.

In a large mixing bowl stir together the melted butter, granulated sugar, oil, cocoa powder, and salt in a large bowl.

Then whisk in the room temperature eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Then stir in the flour until just combined with a spatula or wooden spoon. At this point you don’t want to overmix. Stop mixing once the last of the flour has been mixed in. The more you mix and the tougher your brownies will come out. And no one wants a tough brownie!

Spread the brownie batter into the prepared pan.

Bake for 23-25 minutes until the edges look dry but the middle is slightly soft, and underdone. They will continue to bake in the pan so it’s important to take them out when they look slightly underbaked! Trust me.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

In a large mixing bowl, with an electric mixer, stir together the butter, sugar, peanut butter and vanilla until smooth and combined. The filling will be thick!

You can mix by hand but you will want to make sure the butter is very soft.

Then press it evenly on top of the brownie layer. You can use an offset spatula to do this part. If the filling is too thick to spread just press using clean hands.

Then it’s time to make the chocolate ganache! Ganache is just simply heating heavy cream and pouring over chocolate into a smooth chocolate sauce. Decadent and easy.

Heat heavy cream over medium heat, then pour over chocolate chips. Let sit for 3 minutes and stir until the melted chocolate is smooth. Spread the chocolate ganache over the peanut butter in an even layer and allow it to set.

Recipe Variations:

• Add nuts:Add a handful of chopped peanuts to the peanut butter filling for extra crunch.
• Gluten free: Use a 1:1 gluten free flour (such as King Arthur measure for measure flour or Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 baking flour). I’ve been using GF Jules (a bit more expensive) but you get really great results. Use a gluten free baking powder as well.
• Vegan Brownies:Replace the unsalted butter with vegan butter or coconut oil. You will need to also use a plant-based egg substitute, like flax eggs, instead of traditional eggs. For the heavy cream in the ganache you can use coconut cream. You will also want to make sure to use an organic cane sugar (and powdered sugar).
• Boxed Brownie Mix:If you are short on time, you can use a box of brownie mix instead.
• Nut Free:Swap out the peanut butter for Sun Butter.
• Egg Free: Swap the eggs and use 2 flax eggs instead. I haven’t tested with an egg replacement so I can’t be sure how it will turn out.
• Dairy Free: Use a vegan butter or melted coconut oil instead of the butter. Use coconut cream instead of the heavy cream. And be sure to use dairy free chocolate chips. I like Enjoy Life or Guittard.

Recipe FAQs:

More Recipes to Try:

• Self Rising Flour Biscuits
• Lemon Cookies
• Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies
• 20 Self Rising Flour Recipes
• Milk Bar Cake