Buckeye Brownies

Name: Buckeye Brownies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 160 min
Ingredients: 18.3 ounce boxed brownie mix; ½ cup vegetable oil; 2 large eggs (room temperature and beaten); 3 tbsp water; 2 cups creamy peanut butter; 8 tbsp salted sweet cream butter (room temperature ); 2 tsp pure vanilla extract; 3 cups powdered sugar; 12 ounce package semi-sweet chocolate chips; ¼ cup heavy cream

Buckeye Brownies easily combine a chewy chocolate dessert and a peanut butter cup to create a delicious baked brownie. They are the best bite of a buckeye served in slices.

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Buckeye Brownies is an easy chocolate and peanut butter dessert recipe based on the classic Ohio state candy balls but in brownie form. This simple shortcut recipe can be prepared in 15 minutes using a boxed brownie mix that bakes as the base, with a thick peanut butter center that’s covered in a creamy chocolate ganache.

Best Buckeye Brownies

This Buckeye Brownies recipe is quick and easy to prepare, with a peanut butter fudge filling sandwiched between 2 layers of chocolate.

With the same classic flavor combination of my Buckeyes, these brownies are a mashup of my Peanut Butter Cup Brownies and my Peanut Butter Brownies with my Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Pie, made with a tasty twist that transforms them into the best Buckeye Brownies!

If you love the traditional buckeye treat, but don’t have the time to dip each candy in chocolate, then this dessert is a Midwest must-make! My time-saving recipe has a rich brownie base that’s baked from a box, then it’s a quick assembly of 3 layers that you chill, slice, and serve as a moist brownie instead of a ball.

Why We Love This Buckeye Brownies Recipe

Quick and easy to make with a shortcut: the brownies are baked from a box.
Uses simple ingredients to create the classic Buckeye candy taste.
Moist, fudgy chocolate brownie covered in creamy peanut butter, and topped with an easy chocolate ganache glaze.
3 layers of chewy, creamy, sweet, and salty.
Delicious Buckeye balls in brownie form.
Perfect for potlucks, picnics, backyard barbecues, or parties.

Other Buckeye Recipes

Buckeye Bars

Buckeye Pie

Buckeye Fudge

Peanut Butter Buckeyes Recipe

Ingredients

Boxed brownie mix: You can use any brand or variety of brownie base (I used Duncan Hines Chewy Brownie mix)
Vegetable oil
Eggs
Water
Creamy peanut butter: Feel free to use crunchy peanut butter if you prefer more texture.
Salted sweet cream butter
Pure vanilla extract
Powdered sugar
Semi-sweet chocolate chips
Heavy cream

Substitutions and Additions

Choose Your Chocolate: You can use dark, milk, or semi-sweet chocolate for the chocolate ganache topping. If you prefer a sweet and creamy chocolate topping, try the milk chocolate chips. If you want something a bit more bitter and rich, then use semi-sweet or dark chocolate.
Tasty Toppings: Although it would be straying from the “traditional” buckeye candies, feel free to add some extra texture to your treats. Top your brownies with crushed nuts, chocolate sprinkles, chopped candy, or Reese’s Pieces.

Recommended Tools

9×13 baking dish
Parchment paper
Baking spray (Baker’s Joy or a generic version)
Mixing bowls
Measuring tools
Stand or handheld mixer
Silicone spatula or an offset spatula

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How to Make Buckeye Brownies

Buckeye Brownies are a quick and easy way to transform the classic candy into a cool 3-layer treat. Chewy chocolate brownies topped with a peanut butter fudge filling, covered in a silky, ganache frosting makes the best flavored Buckeye in brownie form.

Bake The Brownie Base

Stir together the brownie mix, oil, eggs and water until combined.
Spread the brownie batter in the prepared baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow the brownies to completely cool.

Peanut Butter Layer

Beat the butter for 1 minute on medium-high speed, or until smooth.
Add the peanut butter and vanilla, continue mixing on medium-high until the mixture is completely combined and smooth.
Lower the mixer speed to medium-low and add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until full incorporated and smooth.
Spread the peanut butter mixture over the cooled brownie layer.

Chocolate Ganache

Heat the chocolate chips and the heavy cream in the microwave for 45 seconds. Stir and continue heating in 15 second intervals until the ganache is completely smooth.
Spread the ganache over the peanut butter layer.

Chill: Cover the brownies and chill in the refrigerator for 15 – 20 minutes. Slice 15 slices – 2 ½ in x 3 in and return the brownies to the refrigerator, covered, to chill for an additional 1 hour 45 minutes.

Serve: Remove the brownies from the baking dish by the parchment paper. You may need to re-slice the brownies before serving. Enjoy!

Pro Tip!

For easier clean-up line your baking dish with parchment paper before baking. This will allow you to easily lift them out of the pan and slice for serving.
You can let the brownies chill for the full 2 hours before slicing, but the chocolate may crack and not be as pretty as pre-slicing after chilling for the 15 – 20 minutes.
When spreading and smoothing the peanut butter mixture over the brownie layer, you can place a piece of wax paper on top to help smooth the mixture.

Storage Tips

To Store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
To Freeze: You can freeze the buckeye brownies for up to 1 month in a freezer-safe container. Allow the brownies to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are buckeye candies?

Buckeye candy is made from peanut butter and covered (though not completely) in chocolate to look like a buckeye nut. While similar to peanut butter balls, these candies are only partially coated in chocolate to resemble the tree nut. The small, shiny, dark brown nut with a light tan patch comes from the official state tree of Ohio, the buckeye tree.

Can I freeze my Buckeye Brownies?

Yes, Buckeye Brownies can easily be frozen. Let them cool completely, and then you can freeze them in the pan, or cut them as freeze them as bars. Make sure they are stored in a freezer-safe container and they will be good for up to a month.

Can I use a homemade brownie recipe?

Yes, you can absolutely make your brownies from scratch. I bake my brownies from a box mix for ease and convenience, but if you have a favorite recipe, feel free to use it.