These layered Buckeye Brownies are a must for all peanut butter lovers! With a chewy brownie base layer, a thick peanut butter filling and simple chocolate coating on top, these will remind you of a classic no-bake peanut butter ball!
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Let me tell you why I love this recipe so much. First off, we're talking about chocolate and peanut butter and that combination is always a fave! And though there are many "Buckeye Brownies" on the internet, I love this one because you get a nice thick brownie (this is why I use a square pan rather than a 9x13), plenty of peanut butter flavor and a topping that reminds me of the classic peanut butter buckeye treats!
What are Peanut Butter Buckeyes?
Similar to a peanut butter ball, but buckeye candies aren't quite fully dipped in chocolate (only about ⅞ of the way). They're meant to look like the nut that falls from the Ohio buckeye tree and are super popular around the holiday season.
Ingredients (Full list in recipe card)
- Boxed Brownie Mix + Ingredients listed on the box - You can use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, fudgy brownies, etc. You just want to make sure there's instructions for making them in a square (8x8 or 9x9 inch pan).
- Peanut Butter - I recommend creamy peanut butter for this recipe. Do not use "natural" peanut butter that needs stirred before use as it will affect the texture.
- Powdered Sugar
- Vanilla Extract
- Butter - I use salted butter in these.
- Chocolate Chips - I like using semi-sweet chocolate chips for the topping, but milk or dark chocolate chips will work great, too!
How to Make Buckeye Brownies
Make the Brownie Layer
Simply follow the instructions on a box of brownie mix, mixing it and pouring the brownie batter into a square pan lined with parchment paper or greased with cooking spray. Spread to an even layer and bake as instructed on the box.
Make the Peanut Butter Layer
I find this layer to be easiest to mix with a hand mixer or stand mixer. You'll combine the peanut butter, melted butter and vanilla then stir in the powdered sugar. It'll thicken a bit as it cools, but once you drop spoonful's onto the warm brownies, it'll be easier to spread to the edges of the brownies.
Make the Chocolate Layer
Add chocolate chips and a little vegetable oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Give it a stir then microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each until smooth. Spread the melted chocolate over the top of the brownies.
Recipe Notes
Absolutely! If you have a recipe for a square pan, that's perfect. If it's a homemade brownie recipe for a 9x13-inch pan and it's a good thick brownie, you can go that route, too. Simply double the peanut butter and chocolate layers to account for the larger size pan.
You can cover the pan of cooled brownies with plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also freeze them for up to three months in a well-sealed container or freezer bag.
More Chocolate Peanut Butter Desserts
Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge - An easy no-bake treat topped with Reese's peanut butter cups!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cobbler - This is the yummiest dessert with a chocolate cake layer, rich fudgy pudding underneath and lots of peanut butter flavor!
Peanut Butter Revel Bars - Peanut butter cookie bars with a layer of fudge and lots of Reese's Pieces. SO GOOD!
Ready to turn those peanut butter buckeyes into brownie form?!
Time to bake up a batch of brownies!
Buckeye Brownies
Equipment
- One 8x8 or 9x9-inch square pan
Ingredients
- One Box of brownie mix plus ingredients listed on back of box
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and spray an 8x8 or 9x9-inch pan with cooking spray.
- Mix the brownies according to package instructions and spread into prepared pan; bake.
- While the brownies are in the oven, mix up the creamy peanut butter layer.
- Stir together the peanut butter, melted butter and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Add the powdered sugar and stir until combined.
- Spoon the peanut butter mixture over the warm brownies and spread with a spatula.
- Add the chocolate chips and vegetable oil to a microwave-safe bowl.
- Cook on high in 20 second intervals, stirring after each interval until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Spread over the peanut butter layer.
- Let the brownies cool, then cut and serve.
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