Easy Buckeye Brownies

Name: Easy Buckeye Brownies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 285 min
Ingredients: 1 box fudge brownie mix and ingredients from back of box; 1/2 cup butter; 1 cup peanut butter; 2 cups powdered sugar; 10 ounces milk chocolate chips; 6 tablespoons heavy cream

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These delicious Easy Buckeye Brownies are a chocolate lovers dream! With a rich fudgy brownie base, a smooth and creamy peanut butter center and a melted milk chocolate topping, you get three scrumptious layers of goodness with every single bite!

It’s no secret that people go wild for peanut butter and chocolate recipes. The two flavors are like a match made in heaven! Am I right? That’s why buckeye candy is one of the most requested recipes during the holiday season every year.

This recipe has all of those same wonderful buckeye flavors you love but they take a fraction of the work! You just mix and bake your favorite brownie mix, add the peanut butter center and top them with a simple chocolate ganache topping! No rolling or dipping little peanut butter balls required!

Plus, I’m all about easy desserts, especially when they taste as great as these brownies do. While I love from scratch recipes, there are certain things you just about can’t improve, and a good brownie mix is one of them. These Brownie Mix Cookies, Brownie Truffles and these Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are a few more of my favorite recipes that use a box mix!

💖Why We Love This Recipe

These sweet treats have all the classic buckeye candy flavor but in a delicious, layered brownie form.
They start with a simple batch of fudgy brownies from a box mix, but taste just like from scratch brownies.
Because everyone loves the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, they are always a crowd pleaser.

What’s Needed to Make the Best Buckeye Brownies

Fudge boxed brownie mix: You will also need all the ingredients needed to make the brownie batter.
Butter: You can use regular salted butter.
Peanut butter: Creamy peanut butter works best.
Powdered sugar: Used to sweeten the peanut butter filling.
Milk chocolate chips and heavy whipping cream: Melted together to make the rich chocolate ganache topping.

How to Make Easy Buckeye Brownies

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.

Step 2. In a large bowl, prepare box of brownie mix according to package directions.

Step 3. Pour brownie mix into the baking pan and bake according to box directions (20-25 mins).

Step 4. Allow the brownies to cool completely, while you are making the next layer.

Step 5. In a mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup of butter, peanut butter, and powdered sugar.

Peanut butter, powdered sugar and butter in bowl

Step 6. Using a hand mixer, beat on medium speed until well combined.

Step 7. Drop the peanut butter mixture over the brownie layer in small spoonfuls.

Step 8. Use an offset spatula or butter knife to spread the peanut butter mixture in an even layer over the brownies.

Peanut butter mixture spread across brownie mix

Step 9. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat chocolate chips on 30 second intervals, stirring well between each set, until melted.

Step 10. Stir in heavy cream and mix until its smooth ganache consistency.

Heavy cream combined with melted chocolate chips

Step 11. Pour melted chocolate topping over the top of the peanut butter layer and spread evenly.

Chocolate chip mixture poured over peanut butter

Step 12. Chill the brownies in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours to allow the peanut butter center and the chocolate layer to firm up.

Chocolate chip mixture spread over peanut butter

Step 13. Slice the cooled brownies into squares and enjoy!

What are Buckeye Candies

Buckeyes are a candy confection made with a peanut butter fudge center that’s dipped in chocolate, leaving a small circle of peanut butter visible. They taste very similar to homemade peanut butter cups. The name comes from the fact that they look a lot like a buckeye nut.

What’s the Best Way to Cut Buckeye Brownies?

The thing to keep in mind, is you are cutting through three different layers with different textures. To get clean edges, dip a sharp chef knife, or other long knife into hot water. Quickly wipe it dry and make long, even slices all the way through to the brownie layer. The heat from the knife helps it glide through all the layers easily.

How to Store Fudgy Peanut Butter Brownies

They can remain out at room temperature while you are serving them, but these brownies should be stored in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh about a week as long as they are wrapped in plastic wrap or kept in an airtight container.

You can also freeze them. Double wrap the brownies in plastic wrap and then slip them into a freezer bag. They will freeze well for up to three months.

Buckeye Brownies stacked on plate from above

Buckeye Brownies Variations and Add-ins

Brownie mix: If you have a recipe for homemade brownies, feel free to use in place of the boxed mix. But trust me, the brownie mix used in this recipe is a very tasty short cut that no one will ever know about!

Peanut butter filling: I prefer creamy peanut butter because it makes for easier cutting. But if you prefer a little crunch, you can always use crunchy peanut butter in the filling.

Chocolate topping: This recipe uses milk chocolate chips, but you can use any type of chocolate chips you like. Dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips are other common options.

Additional toppings: If you like a sweet and salty flavor combination, you can add some flakey sea-salt to the top of the melted chocolate before placing in the fridge. If you’re making these brownies for a kid’s party, you can add colorful sprinkles to the top. For a really fun spin, you can add chopped Reese’s pieces or mini-M&Ms as additional toppings as well.

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