These rich chocolate buckeye brownies are filled with 3 delicious layers of chocolate and peanut butter. The easiest chocolate peanut butter brownies using brownie mix!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Buckeye Brownies
One of the best dessert combinations out there is chocolate and peanut butter. The two taste incredible together! Some of my other favorite recipes using this perfect pair are my buckeye cupcakes and buckeye bark.
Chocolate and peanut butter are two of my favorite flavor combinations. If you love buckeye balls or peanut butter balls like me, you’re going to love these buckeye brownies!
This buckeye brownies recipe contain 3 delicious layers: a brownie layer, a peanut butter layer and a chocolate ganache layer. Plus, I used box brownie mix to make the recipe even easier. These brownies will win anyone over!
Ingredient Notes
Here is what you need for the layers!
- Brownies: I used a boxed brownie mix. Look for one that you make in a 9×13 pan. My favorite boxed brand is Ghiradelli. You will also need all ingredients on the back of the box.
- Peanut butter filling: Creamy peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, brown sugar and vanilla.
- Ganache: I used milk chocolate chips but you can use dark chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips and melted butter.
How to Make Buckeye Brownies
Layer 1: Make the box mix brownies: Combine brownie mix with ingredients listed on package and stir until smooth. Pour into pan and bake at 350°F according to directions on box. Then remove from oven and let cool completely.
Layer 2: Make peanut butter mixture. In a large bowl, cream softened butter, peanut butter and vanilla then add in brown sugar. Slowly beat in powdered sugar. Spread the mixture on top of the boxed brownie layer. I like to use a spatula so the layer is even and smooth.
Layer 3: Top with chocolate ganache: Melt chocolate chips and butter in a small bowl in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until the chocolate is melted. Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer and spread with an offset spatula to smooth. Refrigerate brownies for 30 minutes, or until the chocolate topping sets.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t skip lining your 9×13″ baking pan with foil and lightly greasing it with non-stick spray. Otherwise your brownies will stick. Lining the pan with parchment paper also works.
- If the peanut butter frosting is too thick add a splash of milk or heavy cream to thin it out a little.
- These buckeye brownies are seriously to die for! Grab a big glass of cold milk and dig in.
- Make these with homemade brownie recipe instead of box mix.
- Store leftover brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Serve cold or bring to room temperature.
- Freeze brownies by flash freezing first then transferring to a freezer safe container and store up to 3 months. Wrap in plastic wrap if preferred to prevent freezer burn.
Love brownies? Try these copycat cosmic brownies and Nutella brownies, too!
More Brownie Recipes
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Buckeye Brownies Recipe
Ingredients
Brownie Base:
- 1 box brownie mix , plus ingredients on box (use a box mix that calls for a 9×13" pan)
Peanut Butter Layer:
- ½ cup unsalted butter , softened
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
- milk , as needed to thin out mixture
Chocolate Glaze:
- 1 ½ cups milk chocolate chips
- 3 Tablespoons butter
Instructions
Brownies:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13" pan with foil and lightly grease with non-stick cooking spray.
- Mix brownie mix with ingredients listed on package, then pour in pan and bake according to directions on the box. Allow to cool completely.
Peanut Butter Layer:
- In a large bowl, mix together 1/2 cup butter, 3/4 cup peanut butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add in 1/4 cup brown sugar. Slowly beat in 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar. If it gets too thick, add a splash of milk.
- Then spread mixture over the brownie layer.
Chocolate Glaze:
- Melt 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips and 3 Tablespoons butter in a small bowl in the microwave. Cook at 50% power for 1-2 minutes until melted. Stir chocolate and pour over the peanut butter layer.
- Spread chocolate glaze with a spatula. Refrigerate brownies for 30 minutes or until glaze is set.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Peanut butter layer was “crunchy” because of the brown sugar. Could not get it smooth, no matter how much I beat it.
I would try with fresh (newly opened packaged) brown sugar next time!
Don’t use butter for the ganache – the butter will separate from the chocolate. I use heavy cream instead – that’s the traditional way of making chocolate ganache. If you want less chocolate on top, you can drizzle the ganache randomly across the pan using a spoon or wire whisk. I lined the brownie pan with parchment paper (spray cooking spray first, then put sheet of parchment on top) and had no trouble removing the brownies from the pan. Delicious!
The chocolate glaze was difficult. It kept turning into a wad of chocolate. I finally had to double the butter and use a double boiler to get a good consistency. The rest of the recipe came together well.
I am glad that you were able to have success! Thanks for sharing your experience with these brownies.
I also had trouble with the ganache seizing up. I followed Erin’s suggestion and doubled the butter. It worked beautifully. Otherwise, the recipe turned out great. Will definitely make again.
These brownies are the bomb! I have everyone in the neighborhood making them now.
That is awesome! I am so glad that you loved them and are sharing them with so many!
I made it once using the Ghirardelli brownie mix that you can buy at Costco huge rave reviews! However, it’s amazing how the exact same ingredients in a different climate (Midwest vs west coast) can affect the moistness or dryness of it. I had to add more “splashes” of milk to the peanut butter layer in California vs. Chicago. Something to bear in mind but still fabulous if you love peanut butter and chocolate!!
So glad you loved them, Lena! Thanks for your comment and review :)
This sounds absolutely amazing!
They are a favorite around here! Hope you enjoy! :)
This is the best tasting buckeye brownie i have ever had, be careful when spreading peanut butter mixture as it will pull up the brownie USE A SPATULA it helps smooth it out more even , this is very important! Our family loved them.
Thanks for sharing the tip! I’m so glad you enjoyed them! :)
Girrrrl! These are a game changer! I don’t think i’ll be able to stop making them!
Seriously the brownies are absolutely delicious!
I’m so glad you liked them! :)