Buckeye Brownies

These Buckeye Brownies are amazing! Rich chocolate brownies topped with a homemade peanut butter filling and chocolate ganache.

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.

Stack of brownies topped with peanut butter filling and ganache on a white plate.

Why this Recipe is Best

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.

The layers.

  • Brownies. Because these brownies have so much going on I usually opt for a boxed mix. But of course you could make my homemade brownies instead!
  • Peanut Butter Filling. This is the best layer. Soft peanut butter combined with butter, vanilla and powdered sugar to create the perfect texture!
  • Ganache. The chocolate ganache is soft enough to sink your teeth into, but not runny that leaves your hands covered in chocolate. You decide if you want dark, milk, or semi-sweet chocolate!

If you love today’s brownies, be sure to try our chocolate peanut butter pie next! Or give our buckeye brownie cookie recipe a try- it’s a copycat Crumbl cookie!

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients needed to make buckeye brownies.
  • Brownie Mix- look for a brownie that can be made in a 13×9 baking dish. You’ll also need the ingredients on the box to make the brownies, usually egg, oil, and water!
  • Peanut Butter- opt for a shelf stable peanut butter, like Skippy or Jif, as they tend to produce the best results.
  • Powdered Sugar- used as a sweetener for the peanut butter layer. We love powdered sugar because it sweetens without creating a grainy texture.
  • Butter- use our guide on how to soften butter quickly.
  • Vanilla- pure vanilla extract is best. Try our homemade vanilla extract, it’s delicious and cost effective!
  • Milk Chocolate & Heavy Whipping Cream- for the ganache on top. A good quality chocolate is best here, semi-sweet works well too.

How to make Buckeye Brownies

Step by step photos showing how to make buckeye brownies.

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. Our dark chocolate brownies would make a great base!

PRO TIP: 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.

Peanut Butter Filling. While your brownies are baking, make your peanut butter filling. Beat ingredients 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. 

Chill. Cool completely by refrigerating brownies for 2 hours (or more). Cut into bars while chilled and enjoy!

Peanut butter topped brownie on a plate with a fork and a bite taken out.

More Easy Desserts

Buckeye Brownies

4.57 from 88 votes
By: Aimee
These Buckeye Brownies are amazing! Rich chocolate brownies topped with a homemade peanut butter filling and chocolate ganache.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 24 brownies

Ingredients 

For the brownies:

  • 1 box brownie mix with ingredients according to package (13×9 size)

For the peanut butter filling:

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups powdered sugar

For the ganache:

  • 1 package milk chocolate chips 10 ounce
  • 6 Tablespoons heavy cream
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Instructions 

  • Prepare brownies according to package directions for a 13×9. 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!!

Notes

  • Peanut butter. I find regular creamy peanut butter works better than natural or sugar free.
  • Storage. Keep these brownies chilled for best results. Store in airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1brownie, Calories: 227kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 20mg, Sodium: 83mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 15g
Course: Brownies and Bars
Cuisine: American
Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!
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About Aimee

Aimee is a dessert lover (specifically rice krispie treats), workout enthusiast, self-taught foodie, and recipe creator.

Learn more about Aimee.

Affiliate Disclosure:**There may be affiliate links in this post! By clicking on them, or purchasing recommended items I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I love! Thank you for supporting Shugary Sweets! See my disclosure policy for more info**

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Posted on December 28, 2019

Comments & Reviews

  1. Hi, am I reading correctly that it’s 3 full cups of Icing sugar? I just measured it and it seems like a lot.
    Would be grateful for a reply. Magda

  2. 5 stars
    These are life changing! I made them for a get together and several people asked to take extras home. To me Buckeyes are perfect just as they are but this recipe takes them to a brand new level.

  3. I have made this 3 times and is a hit with all who have had will definitely be in my Christmas trays! Thank you so much for sharing you wonderful recipes. Billie

    1. I live here in Ohio & also a huge Buckeye fan. I’m getting ready to make the buckeye brownies for tomorrows game opener against Nebraska. These look so yummy & is perfect for this game. Go Bucks !!

  4. Hi there! Just finished making these for our Sunday family dinner tomorrow! I seen them on your Instagram page today. I read your post with it as I don’t always do when it comes to recipes online, I know you wrote that a few years ago but I sure hope you had your son home this Christmas! I can relate a tiny bit but I have had lots of communication with my 17 yr old son who went to the mission field in Belize last July with a family from our local church. Miss him like crazy but support him and proud of the choices he has made! Can’t wait to dig into this dessert tomorrow!! Thanks for the recipe! 

    1. Awww thank you for the sweet comment. My son is now OUT of the Marines, yay!! Hope you get to see your boy soon!

  5. Do you recommend a certain type of peanut butter? I usually use Teddy’s, but I am not sure how that type would do in a recipe like this as it can be a little oily. Thoughts? Also, I only have salted butter. Will that negatively impact the recipe?

  6. 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.

    1. 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.

  7. 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 .

  8. 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?

  9. 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

  10. 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.

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