Buckeye Brownies
These Buckeye Brownies are amazing! Rich chocolate brownies topped with a homemade peanut butter filling and chocolate ganache.
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It’s funny how you can view circumstances quite differently than other people. Or even different than you imagined.
It’s no secret that my son is off at Marine boot camp right now. We’re finishing up week four of him being gone! And surprisingly, I’m doing better than I imagined (I’m hoping he can say the same, haha)!!
This year I have spent a lot of time “reflecting.” Savoring those moments and memories that have brought my family to this point. This stage in life.
I thought sending my son off to boot camp would be unbearable. As much as people say it’s like sending them to college, having not sent one to college, I can only imagine it’s a little different. There is no way to talk to him. To visit him. To send him a quick text. It became apparent to me that life was going to be different when he handed me his cell phone and boarded the shuttle to the airport. My lifeline to him was in my hands. I had no way to keep in touch.
Even to the point of writing letters was out of my control. I couldn’t write until he wrote first. I had no address, no idea what platoon he would be assigned.
But this is where I realized, I’m stronger than I thought. It’s him, you guys. My son is the one who gives ME strength. My child who is living his dream. I’m reminded daily that THIS is the life he chose. He wasn’t drafted. He CHOSE this path for himself. He knew what to expect. And it’s that choice that has given me comfort for the past 3 1/2 weeks. My son is following the path he chose and he’s succeeding!
I know there are many moms out there who have kids in boot camp right now. I know there are many moms struggling and missing their kids. I know this because there are many facebook support groups for us moms. But, if your child signed up for this path, take comfort in that decision. This is what we want for our children. To make decisions as adults and succeed in those choices. That is where I draw my comfort from.
And brownies. They help too. Rich chocolate brownies topped with a homemade buckeye filling and covered with smooth chocolate ganache. Yep. That’s a definite help in the comfort department!!
I know my son will come home begging for some treats…and this one is on the list of goodies to make for him! It’s like a buckeye (you know what those are right??). But it’s a brownie. #MINDBLOWN
Anyway, for those of you who are raising children, enjoy each day. Don’t rush to get to the next phase (I know how eager we are to get to the potty training, or walking, or school aged phase). Take each day as a gift. And live it.
What is a Buckeye?
Imagine making your own Reese’s peanut butter cup recipe. Smooth and creamy peanut butter dipped in rich chocolate.
A buckeye brownie is that same flavor on top of a fudgy chocolate brownie. Perfection.
How to make Buckeye Brownies
Start by making a batch of brownies in a 13×9 baking dish. You can use a boxed mix or try your hand at homemade. For today’s recipe, a quick batch of boxed brownies is the way I chose to go.
Make sure you 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.
While your brownies are baking, make your peanut butter filling. In a mixing bowl, combine melted butter, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar. Beat until combined into a soft “dough.”
Remove brownies from oven and gently drop peanut butter mixture onto top of warm brownies. Use your finger tips to make sure the brownies are completely covered.
For the ganache, in a small microwave safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and heavy whipping cream. Heat for one minute and stir until smooth. Pour over peanut butter layer and spread evenly.
Cool completely by refrigerating brownies for 2 hours (or more). Cut into bars while chilled and enjoy!
If you LOVE Buckeyes you will also love these Buckeye Bars. Much like the original, except there is no dunking each individual piece in chocolate. SO easy and delicious.
If you love peanut butter and chocolate, here are a few of my favorites:
Chocolate Peanut Butter Grahams: these easy dipped grahams are a fun treat!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Biscotti: cookies for breakfast is always a win in my book!
Peanut Butter Mousse Pie: one of my favorite peanut butter and chocolate desserts on the blog!
Here are some delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter recipes from my friends:
- No Bake Peanut Butter Bars from The First Year Blog
- Peanut Butter Cup Rice Krispie Treats from Inside BruCrew Life
- Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake from Spiced
- Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes from Confessions of a Cookbook Queen
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Buckeye Brownies
Ingredients
For the brownies:
- 1 box brownie mix, with ingredients according to package (13x9 size)
For the peanut butter filling:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cup powdered sugar
For the ganache:
- 1 package (10 oz) dark chocolate chips (bittersweet morsels, 60%)
- 6 Tbsp heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare brownies according to package directions for a 13x9. Make sure to line your baking dish with parchment paper.
- While brownies are baking, make peanut butter filling. In a mixing bowl, combined melted butter, peanut butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Beat until combined.
- Remove brownies from oven when done baking. Gently drop peanut butter filling onto top of warm brownies, using fingertips to make sure brownies are completely covered.
- For the ganache, in a small microwave safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and heavy cream. Heat for one minute. Stir until smooth. Pour over peanut butter layer and spread until evenly distributed.
- Refrigerate brownies for 2 hours (or more). Cut into bars while chilled. Serve and enjoy!!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1 brownieAmount Per Serving: Calories: 227 Total Fat: 16g Saturated Fat: 6g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 8g Cholesterol: 20mg Sodium: 83mg Carbohydrates: 20g Fiber: 1g Sugar: 15g Protein: 4g
See the recipe Buckeye Brownies on YouTube
Recipe originally published on August 6, 2015
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You are staying so strong, Aimee. And if you send care packages once you have his address, I’m sure they would be the best ones ever. I hear military moms are good at that. Either way, it takes a lot of courage to let him board the plane like that. I am full of admiration.
These are my favorite kind of brownies, ever. Just wanted to add that!
I’m going to love sending out care packages. Not yet though. No packages in boot camp. His drill instructors would make fun of him, haha.
Oh Aimee, praying you can stay strong and what an amazing son you have to choose this path. You are right we need to celebrate each moment together. These brownies are a great way to celebrate.
Thank you Kristen 🙂
What a great post! As a mom to be, hearing these words of encouragement are so powerful!
An these buckeye brownies, the only way I want to devour buckeyes now!
You are going to be a great mom Meg 🙂
It is so comforting to know that our kids are on the path that God has for them! I’m so glad you are doing ok with him gone. Of course with brownies like these in your kitchen, that definitely has to help some!!! These fun brownies are a favorite in our house too!
Such a beautiful post, a great reminder to stop and enjoy each day with our families! I think some great memories could be made over a batch of these brownies!
Thanks Jessica 🙂
god bless your son! I can’t imagine how difficult this must be for a mom! I’m sure those care packages will be as important for you to make as they will be for him to receive!
For sure!! Thanks Cynthia 🙂
I could eat them all, they are so wonderful the tree level gives great decoration, ingredients tell that is a healthy recipe, I congratulate you
These sound like the perfect combo of chocolate and peanut butter! And I am glad you are holding up better than you expected with your son at boot camp. I’m not at that stage in my life so I don’t know how I would deal with a child gone with no way to check in on them and find out how they’re doing. But I do agree with you, brownies would definitely help me get by 😉
Thanks Sharon. I’m sure you would do great too…if not, come find me. I’ll help you through it and send you brownies 🙂
Buckeye brownies?! Its sheer brilliance! These looks incredible. They sure wouldn’t last long in our chocolate and pb loving house!
Wow, I had something similar to these years ago when I lived in Ohio and never forgot how amazing they were. Will definitely have to try these. They are decadent but look so delicious. 🙂 Plus, I always go for the recipes that are easy to make, as I’m not the world’s best cook.
And no, I don’t have kids at boot camp (no kids at all, in fact – which means more of these lovely desserts for me, LOL)
Gorgeous photos too. Thanks 🙂
THANK YOU for this awesome recipe. I made them for Boss’s Day today, and they’re a huge hit. They are easy to make, delicious, and look impressive when cut. Thank you for sharing!
I just discovered your blog and this wonderful recipe on Facebook (shared by OMG Chocolate Desserts). I love Buckeyes and cannot wait to make these brownies. They look, and I’m sure they taste, heavenly. Best wishes to you and your son. My son and daughter-in-law just moved out of state, and I’m starting to send goodie boxes to them. Any advice on how to ship treats like this would be much appreciated (I’ve only sent packaged goods so far).
Depending on the weather, there are some great options. Cookies obviously send best. As does biscotti (I’ve got a bunch of biscotti recipes on the blog). Even quick breads ship well. Just make sure everything is packaged in airtight plastic bags, and then cushioned with newspaper inside a box. Happy to have you here!!!
Made these last week and they were quite delicious! In the KEEPER recipe pile!! Thank you!
You are much stronger than I, in fact I would be doing these amazing brownies while crying myself to sleep every night! Stay brave and keep those yuumy creations coming! PS I have featured this scrumptious recipe in the Absolute Best Brownie Recipe Roundup over at dreamingofleaving.com 🙂 xo
I just found this recipe today on Facebook. It is the best marriage of chocolate and peanut butter which I love. I really like your blog and seems to have attracted some really nice ladies. I am sure you are over the boot camp episode and it is behind you and you are stronger because of it. Now your boy is off on the next adventure and I am concerned about what it would be given the mess the world is in now. That has its own kind of concern for a mother, one I think worse than bootcamp and will last longer. Your son has chosen his own path, and not as secure one as if he had gone to college or trade school where he could still be in your home. So many boys have chose the lazy path of life, mooching off Mom and Dad or a woman, seems so prevalent today, but not your son. So be proud that he has stepped up to the biggest challenge. Every mother has to learn to let go at some point and accept that their child is capable of doing without her, which I think is the biggest hurt. But that is what you raised them for, so congratulations on a job well done.
Thank you for those kind words 🙂
Can these be frozen? I need brownies for a reunion but need to make ahead. Thank you.
Yes, they sure can 🙂
These are so amazingly good! Everyone I shared them with loved them! Thank you!
Yay, glad you loved them!!
I made this recipe and I think the measurents for the chocolate is wrong I had to add alot more heavy cream
Maybe it depends on the brand of chocolate? But I use Ghirardelli morsels which melt so smooth, and 6Tbsp of cream is perfect!
I made these yesterday but only used two cups of powdered sugar on the pb filling and I think it was to dry. Don’t know how you could use three cups.
It will work, I promise! You just keep mixing until it finally comes together. It will be very crumbly at first, then it will combine.
These were a-MAZing! Totally loved by all. They’re going to a pot luck on Sunday:)
Hooray! Thanks for stopping back and letting me know 🙂
Will a brownie recipe from scratch work?
Thank you for this recipe – it is my new favorite!! Do you think they freeze well? I’d like to bring them to a baby shower this weekend and wasn’t sure if they would stay fresh for six days.
I haven’t tried freezing these particular brownies!
Just made these tonight! So delicious!
These look delicious and so easy! YUM!
Made these and they’re fantastic! I didn’t have bittersweet chocolate, so I used semisweet and only 4 tbsp of cream. Worked like a charm! Thanks for a great recipe! I’ll definitely be making these again
Hi, these look delicious!! Can’t wait to try them! As I am allergic to dairy, heavy cream is off my list. Can I melt the chocolate with coconut oil instead?
It is late and I don’t have any heavy cream. What do u suggest I use ?
Thank you so very much. Want to try this recipe .
Okay, so this is coming in about 3-4 years late, but I hope your son is home now or at least somewhere that postal delivery can drop him off one of your sweet-treat packages. Thank him for his amazing sacrifice, bravery, and service. It is people like him whom I look up to and whom inspire me in a bleak world; it is people like you whom I wish I could say, “yeah, I know the feeling,” but I can’t say that. I will just have to admire you and your family from afar for hearing the calling to serve. Not many do.
What a sweet message, thank you! He is still currently serving and deployed, so your comment is quite timely for this momma’s heart during the holiday. I’m in awe every day of our men and women who bravely serve our country.
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