Layers of chewy fudge brownies, rich peanut butter filling, and silky chocolate ganache make these Buckeye Brownies absolutely amazing!
They taste just like the classic Ohio candy but in an easy-to-make peanut butter brownie recipe.
Buckeye Brownies might be the only dessert recipe you need to satisfy that ever-present chocolate plus peanut butter craving!
Start with a base of homemade chocolate fudge brownies. Top that with a thick layer of creamy sweetened peanut butter, and cover the whole thing with a simple chocolate ganache.
Each decadent layer is amazing on its own, but together, this dessert is total perfection.
And while this delicious dessert looks impressive and maybe even a bit intimidating, I promise that buckeye brownies are simple to make. Each layer takes just a few minutes to prepare and you don’t even need any special tools.
Need even more ways to get your chocolate peanut butter fix? Try my Buckeye Brownie Cookies, Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars, or sweet and salty Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites next!
Buckeye Brownies Recipe Highlights
- Made from Scratch – While you could use a boxed brownie mix to make the base layer of these bars, it’s really easy to make brownies from scratch with just 8 common baking ingredients.
- Chocolate AND Peanut Butter – This is the ultimate dessert flavor pairing, and you really cannot go wrong. Who needs Reese’s cups or peanut butter chocolates when you can make these?
- Easy Instructions – There are a few extra steps to this layered peanut butter brownie recipe, but they aren’t at all difficult. Follow along with the recipe and pictures and you’ll be sure to find baking success!
Once you have this method down, try my Tiramisu Brownies recipe. It’s a similar recipe, but the top layer is made with creamy mascarpone and coffee soaked ladyfingers.
Key Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make the best Buckeye Brownies:
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder gives the brownies their rich, chocolate flavor.
- Sugar: For the best chewy brownie texture, we’ll use both granulated and light brown sugar.
- Peanut Butter: Use regular (not all-natural style) smooth peanut butter to make this recipe.
- Butter: Softened unsalted butter makes the peanut butter filling extra rich, while melted butter is used to make the brownies.
- Powdered Sugar: Peanut butter isn’t quite sweet enough on its own for a brownie recipe, and powdered sugar will blend with it smoothly to create the filling.
- Chocolate Ganache: You need semi-sweet chocolate chips and some heavy cream to make this easy chocolate topping.
How To Make Layered Buckeye Brownies
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C), or 160°C for a fan oven. Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Tip!
Chill before cutting! Give your Buckeye Brownies at least an hour in the fridge to set up fully.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownies Recipe Tips
- Use a parchment sling. When you’re preparing your brownie baking pan, leave extra parchment paper hanging over the two long sides. These will act like handles and allow you to easily remove the bars from the pan once they’re cool.
- Try an offset spatula. This handy tool makes spreading the brownie batter, peanut butter filling, and chocolate ganache evenly super easy.
- Cut clean squares. Chill the bars down completely, then remove them from the pan. Cut the bars using a large knife that you’ve run under hot water. Clean the knife with the hot water between each cut.
How to Store Buckeye Brownies
To Store: Buckeye brownies can be stored in the fridge or at room temperature. Either way, they’ll stay fresh for about 5 days if they are stored in an airtight container.
To Freeze: Wondering if buckeyes can be frozen? They can be!
Flash freeze brownie squares by placing them on a parchment-linked sheet pan in the freezer for 1 or 2 hours, or until they are hardened. Then, wrap each brownie with plastic wrap. Place into a freezer bag or container and store for up to 3 months.
More Delicious Peanut Butter Recipes
I know you want to make these brownies now, but save these other decadent peanut butter recipes for later!
- Peanut Butter Lasagna – A creamy no-bake treat.
- Peanut Butter Blossoms – A classic peanut butter cookie with Hershey’s Kisses.
- Peanut Butter Cupcakes – This recipe is themed for Halloween, but you can easily adjust the decorations for any occasion.
- Reese’s Caramel Cheesecake – Pair peanut butter and chocolate with rich, buttery cheesecake and a crispy Oreo cookie crust.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make buckeye Brownies with crunchy peanut butter?
Traditionally, the filling for buckeyes is smooth and creamy, but if you like the texture of crunchy peanut butter, go ahead and use it! You may need a bit less powdered sugar since crunchy peanut butter is already a bit thicker than regular peanut butter.
Can I make this recipe gluten free?
In most baking recipes, you can replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 baking flour designed for baking. You could also use your favorite boxed gluten-free brownie mix to make the bottom layer of these bars.
Why are they called buckeyes?
Traditional buckeye chocolate candies resemble the nuts of the buckeye tree, which is the state tree of Ohio. These candies started out as an Ohio treat, but are so well-loved you can find them almost anywhere in the US now!
Homemade Buckeye Brownies have three layers of deliciousness, and they’re simple to make! Pin this recipe to save it, you’re going to be making it over and over again!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Buckeye Brownies
Equipment
- 13 x 9 inch baking pan
- Offset spatula
Ingredients
For the brownies:
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter melted and cooled
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (150 g) light brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (60 g) cocoa powder
- ¾ cup (90 g) all-purpose flour
For the peanut butter filling:
- 1 ½ cups (360 g) smooth peanut butter
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter
- 2 ½ cups (300 g) powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
For the ganache:
- ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream
- 1 ½ cup (255 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
For the brownies:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C), or 160°C for a fan oven. Grease and line a 9×13-inch (approx. 23×33 cm) baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, vanilla, and salt and whisk again.
- Add the flour and cocoa powder and stir until no dry streaks remain. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top into an even layer
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean
- Allow to cool completely
For the peanut butter filling:
- In a medium microwave safe bowl, melt the peanut butter and butter together at 30 second intervals, stirring well after each, until smooth and liquidy.
- Add the powdered sugar and mix until combined; mixture will be stiff.
- Add the milk, a little at a time, until the mixture is smooth and spreadable.
- Spread the peanut butter mixture evenly over the cooled brownies
For the ganache:
- Heat the heavy cream until it is steaming. Pour over the chocolate chips and allow to sit for 3 minutes. Stir mixture until it is smooth.
- Spread the ganache over the peanut butter layer. Chill in the fridge for at least one hour before slicing and serving
Notes:
- Use a parchment sling. When you’re preparing your brownie baking pan, leave extra parchment paper hanging over the two long sides. These will act like handles and allow you to easily remove the bars from the pan once they’re cool.
- Try an offset spatula. This handy tool makes spreading the brownie batter, peanut butter filling, and chocolate ganache evenly super easy.
- Cut clean squares. Chill the bars down completely, then remove them from the pan. Cut the bars using a large knife that you’ve run under hot water. Clean the knife with the hot water between each cut.
- To Store: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
Heather says
Hi I saw in the recipe it says heavy cream. Would that be heavy whipping cream?
Little Sunny Kitchen says
Hi Heather, yes, heavy whipping cream for the filling!