OMG you guys these Buckeye Brownies are insane! Been testing brownie recipes for years and these are hands down the BEST. If you’ve never tried Buckeye Brownies before, you’re seriously missing out. They’re this amazing combo of fudgy chocolate brownies, creamy peanut butter middle and rich chocolate ganache on top – basically heaven in dessert form.
The peanut butter and chocolate combo is honestly unbeatable. I made these for my kid’s bake sale last month and they sold out in like 20 mins flat! Everyone was asking for the recipe so I figured it was time to share my Buckeye Brownies secrets with you all. Keep reading to find out how to make these addictive treats!
Why These Buckeye Brownies Are Gonna Be Your New Obsession
Let’s be real – regular brownies are great but sometimes you need something extra special. That’s where these Buckeye Brownies come in!
I first made these when my bestie was going through a tough breakup. She’s obsessed with anything peanut butter and chocolate so I wanted to cheer her up. When I showed up with these Buckeye Brownies she literally cried (happy tears!). Now she requests them for every birthday!
The best part is how flexible this recipe is. Got milk chocolate instead of semi-sweet? No problem. Wanna add some chopped peanuts for crunch? Go for it! These Buckeye Brownies can handle whatever twists you throw at them.
Now let’s get to making the magic happen!
What You’ll Need for Amazing Buckeye Brownies
For The Brownie Base:
- 1 cup unsalted butter – don’t use margarine, real butter makes these Buckeye Brownies special
- 2 cups granulated sugar – white sugar works best here
- 4 large eggs – room temp is important for better mixing
- 2 tsp vanilla extract – the real stuff not imitation
- 1 cup all-purpose flour – measure by spooning into cup not scooping
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder – dutch process gives deeper flavor
- 1/2 tsp salt – don’t skip this, it enhances the chocolate
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips – can sub dark chocolate if you prefer less sweet
For The Peanut Butter Middle:
- 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter – skip natural PB, it separates too much
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened – not melted, just soft
- 3 cups powdered sugar – might need more/less depending on consistency
- 1 tsp vanilla extract – adds depth
- 2-3 tbsp milk – only if mixture is too thick
For The Chocolate Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips – dark works too for less sweetness
- 1/3 cup heavy cream – creates that silky ganache texture
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter – makes the top extra shiny
For anyone with allergies, you can try sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter, though it changes the flavor a bit. Gluten-free flour blends usually work fine in the brownie base too.
How To Make Buckeye Brownies Step By Step
The Brownie Base
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line 9×13 pan with parchment with overhang for easy removal
- Melt butter in large microwave-safe bowl in 30-second bursts
- Whisk sugar into hot butter until grainy but mixed
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each
- Stir in vanilla
- Mix flour, cocoa and salt in separate bowl
- Add dry ingredients to wet and fold gently just until no dry streaks
- Fold in chocolate chips
- Spread in pan (batter will be thick)
- Bake 25-30 mins until toothpick has moist crumbs but not wet batter
Don’t overbake! The brownies will continue cooking as they cool. They should look slightly underdone in center for that perfect fudgy base for your Buckeye Brownies.
The Peanut Butter Layer
- Beat peanut butter and softened butter with electric mixer until super smooth
- Add powdered sugar in 1-cup increments on low speed
- Mix in vanilla
- If mixture seems too thick add milk 1 tbsp at a time
- It should be firm but spreadable – think frosting consistency
- Spread over COMPLETELY COOLED brownie layer
- Refrigerate 1 hour to set before adding chocolate layer
The peanut butter layer is what makes these Buckeye Brownies authentic – it mimics the filling of classic buckeye candies. Getting the right consistency is key!
The Chocolate Topping
- Heat heavy cream in microwave or small pot until steaming but not boiling
- Pour over chocolate chips in heatproof bowl
- Let sit 2 minutes then stir until smooth
- Add butter and stir until melted and glossy
- Pour over chilled peanut butter layer and spread evenly
- Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight before cutting
Pro tip: for those perfect clean-cut Buckeye Brownies, dip knife in hot water, wipe dry between each cut.
Awesome Buckeye Brownies Variations To Try
Want to switch things up? Here are some killer ways to customize your Buckeye Brownies:
Crunchy PB Buckeye Brownies – Use crunchy peanut butter or mix in 1/2 cup chopped peanuts to the filling for texture contrast.
Buckeye Brownie Bites – Make in mini muffin tins for perfect two-bite treats (reduce baking time to about 15 mins).
Mint Buckeye Brownies – Add 1/2 tsp mint extract to the chocolate topping for a fresh twist. Amazing during holidays!
Spicy Buckeye Brownies – Add 1/4 tsp cayenne to the brownie base for a subtle heat that enhances the chocolate flavor.
Pretzel Buckeye Brownies – Sprinkle crushed pretzels on top before the chocolate sets for sweet-salty perfection.
If you’re a fan of layered desserts, you’ll probably also love our Oreo Cheesecake Bars which have a similar impressive presentation!
Buckeye Brownies
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Large mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Microwave-safe bowl
Ingredients
For The Brownie Base:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
For The Peanut Butter Middle:
- 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2-3 tbsp milk as needed
For The Chocolate Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
The Brownie Base:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals until fully melted.
- Whisk in the sugar until combined and grainy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, and salt.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture until combined.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Let brownies cool completely before adding the peanut butter layer.
The Peanut Butter Layer:
- Beat peanut butter and softened butter with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar in increments, mixing on low speed.
- Mix in vanilla extract.
- If the mixture is too thick, add milk one tablespoon at a time until spreadable.
- Spread over the cooled brownie layer.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour to set.
The Chocolate Topping:
- Heat heavy cream in a microwave or saucepan until steaming (not boiling).
- Pour over chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl and let sit for 2 minutes.
- Stir until smooth, then mix in butter until glossy.
- Pour over the peanut butter layer and spread evenly.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting.
Notes
Nutrition
Buckeye Brownies FAQ
Do you have to refrigerate Buckeye brownies?
Yes! Buckeye Brownies def need refrigeration. The peanut butter layer gets soft at room temp and they’re much easier to cut when cold. They’ll keep in fridge for about 5 days in airtight container. You can even freeze them for up to 3 months – just wrap in plastic then foil before freezing!
Why is it called a Buckeye brownie?
Buckeye Brownies get their name from buckeye candies, which are peanut butter balls partially dipped in chocolate to look like buckeye nuts (from Ohio’s state tree). These brownies have the same PB-chocolate flavor combo as the candies but in convenient layered bar form! The name comes from the resemblance of the traditional candy to the nuts that grow on buckeye trees.
What is the most expensive brownie in the world?
Believe it or not, the most expensive brownie ever sold was priced at $1,200 and was made with super fancy Valrhona chocolate, some rare Persian salt, and was actually gold-plated! Our Buckeye Brownies might cost way less to make but honestly taste just as amazing without the gold leaf!
What are the three types of brownies?
There are basically three main brownie types: cakey (light and fluffy like cake), fudgy (moist and dense), and chewy (somewhere between the other two). These Buckeye Brownies use a fudgy base which stands up perfectly to the peanut butter and chocolate layers on top. The dense, rich texture complements the creamy peanut butter center perfectly!
What is the old version of brownies?
The OG brownies from late 1800s weren’t anything like today’s treats! They were actually more like molasses cake squares with no chocolate at all. Then around 1905, early chocolate brownies appeared but were way cakier than what we love today. Modern brownies like our Buckeye Brownies are so much better – fudgier, richer and obviously layered with amazing peanut butter!
Extra Tips For Perfect Buckeye Brownies Every Time
- Let each layer cool/set COMPLETELY before adding the next
- Room temp ingredients mix better, especially for the peanut butter layer
- Line pan with parchment with overhang for easy removal
- Chill before cutting for clean slices
- Store in fridge in single layer or with wax paper between layers
Love chocolate and PB combos? You should definitely check out our No Bake Peanut Butter Bars for a quick fix without turning on the oven!
For other amazing brownie variations, our Marshmallow Brownies and Cream Cheese Brownies are totally worth trying!
Want something a little different? Our Heavenly Hash Brownies are loaded with texture and flavor. And for white chocolate fans, don’t miss our White Chocolate Brownies recipe!
Final Thoughts On These Amazing Buckeye Brownies
These Buckeye Brownies seriously take me back to my childhood when my mom would make similar treats for special occasions. There’s something so nostalgic about that chocolate-PB combo that just feels like home.
The first time I made these for my husband’s family gathering, his grandma (who NEVER asks for recipes) pulled me aside for the details. That’s when I knew these Buckeye Brownies were something special!
I love how these brownies bring people together – they’re the first dessert to disappear at any potluck. Make them your own with the variations or stick to the classic recipe – either way they’re gonna blow minds!
Just be sure to grab one for yourself before serving… they vanish FAST and you don’t wanna miss out!
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