Buckeye brownies start with a brownie mix from a package. The brownies, once baked are then topped with sweetened peanutbutter and covered in melted chocolate.
What’s Trending?
You may have stumbled across this recipe, wondering “What’s a Buckeye Brownie?”. All you need is to know that it is the perfect dessert for those who love chocolate and peanut-butter. This recipe was named after buckeyes, which are sweetened fudge balls dipped into melted chocolate and hail from Ohio. They’re very similar to the peanut butter cup.
The classic brownie recipe gets a chocolatey, indulgent makeover with this buckeyes recipe. The recipe begins with a fudgy mix of brownies. The brownies, once baked and cooled down, are then covered in sweetened peanut butter with melted chocolate. If you’re serving these brownie bars at a party or bringing them to the office, they will disappear quickly.
Buckeye Brownies Ingredients
- Brownie mix: The recipe for buckeyes brownies starts with the fudge mix. Follow the instructions on the box to prepare brownie batter using eggs, oil, and flour. Then bake the brownies in a pan measuring 13×9 inches. This larger pan bakes more quickly than a standard square pan. The result is a lighter, thinner brownie perfect for adding peanut butter or chocolate.
- Eggs: Some brownie mixes do not call for eggs. However, adding one to two large eggs can create a fudgier brownie texture. Eggs add richness and flavor to the brownie batter. They also act as a leavener.
- Oil: The majority of boxed mixes use water with a neutral oil like avocado or canola. To prepare the brownie mix we used 1/2 cup of canola. Be sure to double check the quantities and read the directions on the brownie mix packaging.
- Butter: The butter is split between layers of chocolate and peanut butter. Two sticks of butter are needed in total.
- Peanut Butter: For buckeyes, choose a creamy no-stir peanut butter. Use either salted or unsweetened butter. We’ll be adding confectioners’s sugar for the signature peanutty and sweet buckeye taste!
- Confectioners‘ sugar: It is best to use confectioners sugar with a fine texture for mixing in the peanut butter. This will keep the layer of nutty and smooth.
- Chocolate chips: The recipe requires 6 ounces, which is equal to half of a bag or 1 cup. Semisweet and dark chocolates are both rich in chocolate flavor, without being too sweet. These buckeye bars are sweet enough with the peanut butter and brownie layers.
Driving Directions
Step 1: Make the brownies
Mix the oil and eggs with the brownie mix. According to brownie packaging instructions, bake the brownies according to the directions on the package in a 13 x 9-inch greased pan. Allow the brownies to cool down completely before continuing.
Editor’s Tip: For easy removal of brownies, line your pan with parchment paper and lightly grease with butter or cooking spray.
The peanut butter layer is made in Step 2.
Microwave 1/2 cup of butter in a large bowl on high power for 30-60 seconds until butter is melted. Stir in the confectioners sugar until it is smooth. Spread the peanut mixture on top of the brownies.
Editor’s Tip: The peanut butter and the chocolate can be spread evenly with an offset spatula, one of our Test Kitchens’ favorite gadgets.
The chocolate layer is made in Step 3.
Microwave the remaining butter and chocolate chips on high power for 30 second in a large bowl. Stir. Microwave in increments of 30 seconds, stirring after each one, until the chocolate is completely melted. Over the peanut butter, spread the chocolate mix.
Editor’s Tip: You can melt chocolate and butter using a double boiler if you don’t want to use the microwave.
Step 4: Cool the slice
Allow the layers of peanut butter and dark chocolate to cool down completely.
Editor’s Tip: The peanut butter layer and the chocolate layer will set if you refrigerate the brownie pan for an hour.
Cut the brownies in squares.
Variations on a Recipe
- Add salt Do you love sweet and savory desserts? Add a finishing salt, such as Maldon, or salted nuts to the top layer of chocolate before it hardens.
- Decorating brownies The traditional buckeye candy does not have any toppings. However, you can decorate the buckeye brownies with peanuts chopped up or sprinkles according to your preference.
- You can try a different nut. Use another nut-butter, like almond butter or cashew, to create an entirely new dessert.
- Nut-free? You can replace the peanut butter in this recipe with sunflower seed spread.
Buckeye Brownies: How to store them
Sliced buckeyes should be stored in an airtight container, at room temperature. In a humid or warm climate, it’s best to keep the brownies refrigerated to avoid the chocolate layer melting. The brownies will stay fresh up to 5 days, whichever way you store them.
Can you freeze buckeye brownies?
Buckeye brownies do freeze. Place the brownie slices on a cookie sheet, and then place the entire thing into the freezer. After the brownies have been frozen, place them individually in freezer bags and wrap in plastic wrap. Once you are ready to consume, remove the brownies that you want and allow them to thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
Buckeye Brownie Tips
What is the best peanut butter for Buckeye Brownies?
This recipe is best with creamy peanut butter that doesn’t require stirring. The peanut butter is extra creamy because of its smooth texture. The oil layer on most brands of peanut butter is too thick to make the peanut butter firm enough for this recipe. Add crispy rice cereal, like in this recipe for crispy rice buckeyes, to the peanut mixture if you want to add extra texture to the layer.
How to slice Buckeye Brownies neatly
These tips will make it easier to slice your Buckeye Brownies into bars. Line your pans with parchment paper and allow some overhang to each side. The parchment handles can be used to remove the brownies from the pan. Slice them with a knife after removing the “handles”.
To get clean brownie edges, it’s important that the chocolate and peanut butter layers cool down completely. To achieve this, place the brownie pan in the refrigerator for an hour at least or until it is firm.
How can you make homemade brownies into a recipe for buckeyes brownies?
You can substitute the brownie mix in the box, the eggs, and the oil with any brownie recipe that you like. Just make sure it makes a pan measuring 13×9 inches. Looking for a brownie recipe that is foolproof? You can use our fudgy recipe to create buckeyes. However, you will need to double the amount to fit a larger pan. You can also find a whole library of brownies recipes on our site!
Buckeye Brownies
Prep Time
30-Minute-Time Limit
Yield
Enjoy 24 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 package fudge brownie mix (13×9-inch pan size)
- Divide 1/2 cup plus 6 tablespoons of butter.
- Creamy peanut butter, 1 cup
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- Semisweet or Dark Chocolate Chips 6 Ounce
Driving Directions
- Bake brownies in a 13×9 inch pan that has been greased. According to the instructions on the package, bake in a 13×9-inch baking pan. Allow to cool.
- Microwave 1/2 cup of butter and the peanut butter in a large bowl on high for 30-60 seconds, or until the butter is melted. Spread cooled brownies with confectioners’s sugar after stirring in the confectioners’s.
- Microwave remaining 6 tablespoons of butter in a large bowl on high for 30 seconds increments. Stir between each. Spread on brownies. Let cool; cut into squares.
Nutrition Facts
One piece contains 310 calories and 21g of fat, 8g of which is saturated, 34mg of cholesterol, 168mg for sodium, 29g carbohydrates (23g sugars with 1g fibre), 4g proteins.
