These Buckeye Brownies are the ultimate decadent treat for anyone who loves the classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate. With a dense, fudgy brownie base, a sweet creamy peanut butter filling, and a rich chocolate ganache topping, they are essentially a candy bar in brownie form.
With three distinct layers of flavor and texture, these bars are an impressive dessert that looks beautiful and tastes even better.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: A rich chocolate brownie base is perfectly balanced by the sweet and salty peanut butter fudge, topped with a smooth, semi-sweet chocolate glaze.
- Texture: You get a chewy brownie bottom, a smooth and creamy middle, and a firm yet soft chocolate snap on top.
- Time: 20 minutes prep, 25 minutes bake time, plus cooling and setting time.
- Difficulty: Intermediate. While easy to mix, it requires layering and patience for cooling.
What You’ll Need
To make this triple-layer dessert, you will need a 13×9 baking pan and a microwave to easily melt the ingredients for each section. The brownie base uses cocoa powder for deep flavor, the middle layer relies on creamy peanut butter and powdered sugar for that classic “Buckeye” texture, and the top is a simple ganache made from chocolate chips and butter.
Ingredient Notes
- Salted Butter – This recipe uses salted butter in all three layers (brownie, fudge, and topping). This helps cut through the sweetness and enhances the chocolate and peanut butter flavors.
- Natural Cocoa Powder – Used for the brownie base to provide a classic chocolate foundation.
- Creamy Peanut Butter – Use a standard creamy peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) rather than natural styles that separate. This ensures the fudge layer is smooth and sets correctly.
- Powdered Sugar – Essential for the peanut butter layer to give it that firm, fudgy consistency that can be shaped or spread.
- Semisweet Chocolate Chips – These provide the perfect balance of sweetness for the top layer.
- Eggs – You will need 2 large eggs plus 1 extra yolk to make the brownies extra fudgy.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Chocolate Chips – If you prefer a milder chocolate flavor for the topping, milk chocolate chips can be substituted, though it will be sweeter.
- Crunch – For added texture, you could sprinkle chopped peanuts over the wet chocolate topping before it sets.
- Milk – The milk in the peanut butter layer is optional and used only if the mixture is too stiff to spread.
How to Make Buckeye Brownies
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and lightly grease or spray a 13×9 pan. You can also line it with parchment paper for easier removal.
- Make Brownie Batter: In a large, microwave-safe bowl, heat the 12 tablespoons of salted butter in the microwave until melted. Stir in the cocoa powder and granulated sugar until well combined. Add the eggs, extra egg yolk, and vanilla extract, stirring until well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate, medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this flour mixture to the butter mixture until completely combined.
- Bake: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake at 350F (177°C) for 25 minutes. Allow the brownies to cool completely before covering with the peanut butter fudge.
- Make Peanut Butter Layer: Combine the creamy peanut butter and 1/2 cup salted butter in a large heat-proof bowl. Microwave at 15-second increments, stirring between each, until the butter is completely melted and the mixture is smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Thicken the Fudge: Gradually stir in the powdered sugar until completely combined. The mixture should be fudgy enough to mold into a ball but soft enough to spread. If the mixture is too stiff, add milk (1 tablespoon at a time). If it is too soft, add more powdered sugar (1 tablespoon at a time).
- Spread the Layer: Drop heaping spoonfuls of the peanut butter mixture over the cooled brownies. Use a knife to gently spread it until the brownies are evenly covered with a thick layer.
- Make Chocolate Topping: Prepare the chocolate topping by combining the chocolate chips and remaining 6 tablespoons of salted butter in a medium heat-proof bowl. Microwave at 15-second increments, stirring well between, until completely melted.
- Finish and Set: Evenly pour the chocolate over the peanut butter fudge layer and spread with a knife or offset spatula until smooth. Allow the chocolate to set for 30-60 minutes before slicing and serving.
Pro Tip: It is absolutely crucial that the brownies are completely cool before you add the peanut butter layer. If the brownies are warm, the peanut butter fudge will melt and slide around, and the layers won’t be distinct.
Recipe Tips
- Microwaving Chocolate: When melting the chocolate chips and butter for the topping, go slow. 15-second increments are best to prevent the chocolate from scorching or seizing.
- Clean Cuts: To get clean slices through the chocolate and peanut butter layers, run your knife under hot water and wipe it dry before each cut.
- Don’t Overbake: The brownies bake for exactly 25 minutes. They might look slightly soft, but they will firm up as they cool. Overbaking can make the base hard rather than fudgy.
FAQs
- Can I use margarine? It is highly recommended to use real butter for this recipe. Margarine has a higher water content and can affect the setting of the fudge and ganache.
- How do I store these? Because of the butter and dairy in the filling, these are best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Can I freeze them? Yes, these freeze beautifully. Cut them into squares and separate layers with wax paper in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before eating.
Serving Suggestions
- Cold Milk: These rich bars are begging for a tall glass of cold milk.
- Ice Cream: Serve a square alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
- Coffee: The sweetness pairs perfectly with black coffee or an espresso.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Chill Time: Since these require cooling and setting time, they are actually perfect to make the day before an event.
- Storage: You can make the entire tray, cover it tightly, and keep it in the fridge overnight. The flavors often meld even better the next day.
Buckeye Brownies
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Buckeye Brownies are the ultimate decadent treat for anyone who loves the classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate. With three distinct layers a dense, fudgy brownie base, a sweet creamy peanut butter filling, and a rich chocolate ganache topping they are essentially a candy bar in brownie form.
Ingredients
For the Brownies
- 12 tablespoons (170g) salted butter, cut into tablespoon-sized pieces
- 3/4 cup (75g) natural cocoa powder
- 1 2/3 cups (345g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs + 1 large egg yolk, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/3 cups (165g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Peanut Butter Fudge
- 2 cups (475g) creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup (113g) salted butter, chopped
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups (285g) powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk (optional, if needed)
For the Chocolate Ganache
- 1 1/2 cups (265g) semisweet chocolate chips
- 6 tablespoons (85g) salted butter, cut into pieces
Instructions
Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Lightly grease or spray a 13×9 baking pan. For easier removal and cutting later, you can also line the pan with parchment paper.
Make the Brownie Batter
In a large, microwave-safe bowl, melt the 12 tablespoons of salted butter. Stir in the cocoa powder and granulated sugar until well combined. Add the eggs, extra egg yolk, and vanilla extract, stirring until the mixture is smooth.
Add Dry Ingredients
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet butter mixture, stirring until completely combined.
Bake
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes. Crucial Step: Allow the brownies to cool completely before attempting to add the peanut butter layer.
Make Peanut Butter Layer
Combine the creamy peanut butter and 1/2 cup salted butter in a large heat-proof bowl. Microwave in 15-second increments, stirring between each, until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Thicken the Fudge
Gradually stir in the powdered sugar until completely combined. The texture should be fudgy enough to hold its shape but soft enough to spread. If it is too stiff, add 1 tablespoon of milk. If too soft, add a little more powdered sugar.
Spread the Layer
Drop heaping spoonfuls of the peanut butter mixture over the cooled brownies. Use a knife or offset spatula to gently spread it into an even layer.
Make Chocolate Topping
Combine the chocolate chips and remaining 6 tablespoons of salted butter in a medium heat-proof bowl. Microwave in 15-second increments, stirring vigorously between each, until completely melted and glossy.
Finish and Set
Pour the chocolate ganache evenly over the peanut butter layer and smooth it out. Allow the chocolate to set for 30 to 60 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
The “Clean Cut” Trick: To get perfect bakery-style squares without smearing the layers, run your sharp knife under hot water and wipe it dry with a towel between every single cut.
Don’t Rush the Cooling: If you spread the peanut butter fudge on warm brownies, the layers will melt into each other. If you are in a rush, you can pop the baked brownies in the fridge to cool them down faster.
Sea Salt Finish: For a gourmet touch, sprinkle flaky sea salt over the wet chocolate ganache layer just before it sets. This highlights the sweet and salty flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 42g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: buckeye brownies, peanut butter chocolate bars, layered brownies, buckeye fudge, chocolate peanut butter dessert, fudgy brownies, sheet pan dessert
