Fudgy Buckeye Brownies with Peanut Butter

Love the iconic combo of chocolate and peanut butter? These Fudgy Buckeye Brownies are bound to be your new favorite sweet treat!

These sweet squares start off with a base layer of fudgy brownies, followed by a melt-in-your-mouth layer of peanut butter fudge, and are finished with a top layer of shiny chocolate ganache.

The epic combinations of flavors and textures create bliss in every bite! In this recipe, you will learn how to make a hearty brownie that is strong enough to support the peanut butter and ganache, without being too dense.

You’ll also learn how to make a peanut butter fudge layer that is perfect to sink your teeth into, and a simple foolproof chocolate ganache topping that comes together quickly to complete this tasty treat!

Buckeye Brownies Ingredients & Substitutions

Quick tip: You can make buckeye brownies with box mix to save time. However, keep in mind the base brownie recipe here was designed with buckeyes in mind, so they are thinner and a little sturdier than a brownie you may get from a box.

Here’s what you’ll need for the peanut butter layer:

• Creamy peanut butter. If you have a peanut butter that’s separated and oily, make sure you blend it or whisk it together before measuring it out for this recipe to avoid excess oil in the fudge layer.
• Unsalted butter.
• Powdered sugar. If you don’t have powdered sugar (aka confectioners’ sugar) in your pantry, you can easily make your own. Substituting granulated sugar for powdered sugar will not give you the same results and will likely create a grainy fudge layer.

And finally, what you’ll need for the ganache layer:

• Dark chocolate chips. While semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips will work, I found them a bit too sweet with everything else going on in this recipe.
• Heavy whipping cream.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Brownies with Peanut Butter

What are buckeye brownies?

Buckeye brownies are brownies inspired by buckeye candies, which consist of a ball of peanut butter fudge dipped in chocolate. They get their name because they very strongly resemble a buckeye nut, as the fudge ball is only dipped partially in chocolate to reveal the peanut butter center.

To recreate the flavor of a buckeye confection in brownie form, these chocolatey treats consist of three layers—a chewy brownie bottom layer, a succulent peanut butter fudge center layer, and a creamy chocolate ganache top layer.

Green tip: Look for organic and palm oil-free butter if you can. Buying organic means you are supporting farms that do not use damaging pesticides and fertilizers, and palm oil production is a huge driver behind deforestation.

Whip Up Your Brownie Layer First

The chewy brownie recipe we are making for the bottom layer is a little bit thinner and sturdier than your average brownie. We want to make sure it’s sturdy enough to hold up the top two layers, without being too dense.

We also don’t want the brownie layer to be too thick, so you can comfortably bite into your buckeye brownie even with the other two layers stacked on top.

To make your brownie base, start by creaming together the butter and sugar with a hand mixer until well-combined. Make sure your butter is softened so you can effectively combine it with the sugar.

Then, add the egg and vanilla extract and mix again to combine. Finally, add the cocoa powder, flour, and salt and mix again. Then, use a rubber spatula to integrate any dry ingredients stuck to the bowl. You should have a thick brownie batter.

Line an 8×8-inch brownie pan with parchment paper and spread to evenly distribute the batter in the pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes on the top rack of your preheated 350°F oven until firm, then set aside to cool.

Quick Tip: I like to use clothespins to hold my parchment paper in place to make it easier to evenly spread the brownie patter across the lined pan. Just make sure you remember to remove them before you place the brownies in the oven!

Make Your Peanut Butter Fudge Layer Next

Whipping up your peanut butter layer for these brownies is simple. The keys to success are making sure your butter is softened and your peanut butter is smooth and creamy. We don’t want peanut butter that is separated and super oily.

The easiest way to soften butter is to take it out of the refrigerator a couple of hours before you start baking to allow it to come to room temperature naturally.

If you don’t want to wait, you can microwave your stick for 15-20 seconds. For full details and more hacks, check out my article on how to soften butter quickly.

Add the softened butter, peanut butter, and powdered sugar to a large mixing bowl and use your clean hand mixer to whip together until everything is smooth and there are no lumps of sugar left.

The peanut butter fudge layer will go right on top of the brownies. The brownies do not have to be completely cooled for you to add your peanut butter layer, but you don’t want it to be piping hot. If you add the peanut butter layer too soon it will melt.

I found that allowing my brownies to cool for 30 minutes on a cooling rack is enough time. After at least 30 minutes, use a spatula to add the peanut butter layer on top of the brownies and smooth it out with a spatula.

Finally, Make Your Ganache Layer

This is the simplest layer to whip up, especially if you use the microwave method. Simply add the chocolate chips and cream to a large, microwave-safe mixing bowl and microwave on high for two minutes.

Then, take a whisk, and whisk the hot chocolate and cream together until it is completely smooth.

Alternatively, you can melt your chocolate and cream over a double boiler on the stove. You can fashion one easily by boiling water in a pot and placing a metal or glass bowl on top.

Add the chocolate and cream to the bowl, and whisk as it melts and heats over the boiling water.

Once you have your smooth chocolate ganache, pour it over the peanut butter layer of your brownies and use the spatula again to smooth it in an even layer over the surface.

Then, place your buckeye brownies in the refrigerator for at least two hours to completely cool and set.

How to Serve and Eat Buckeye Brownies

Buckeye brownies can be served cold or at room temperature. I personally like them at room temperature because they are a little bit softer that way.

If you really want to sink your teeth into them, they’re super fudgy when they’re cold. If you want them a little bit ooey gooey and warm, you can microwave them for 5-10 seconds. You’ll probably want to eat warm buckeye brownies with a fork!

How to Properly Store Layered Peanut Butter Brownies

These brownies can be stored at room temperature covered on in an airtight container for up to 5 days. In the refrigerator, they will last 7-10 days.

You can also opt to freeze them for up to 6 months. It’s best to let them thaw naturally in the refrigerator for 12 hours when you are ready to eat them.

Green tip: Of the billions of tons of food wasted annually, 50% of food waste happens at home. Reduce your contribution to food waste by properly storing and consuming leftovers.

Why these Buckeye Brownies are So Dang Good

• The peanut butter and chocolate combo. You know this infamous combo from Reese’s peanut butter cups, so I don’t have to convince you how delicious it is! This combo also proves its deliciousness in these Peanut Butter Rice Krispies dipped in Chocolate!
• The textures. Between the chewy brownie base, fudgy peanut butter center, and silky chocolate ganache, the variety of textures works with the flavors to bring this dessert to a whole ‘nother level.

If you’re loving these Buckeye Brownies and want more specialty brownies, check out these Banana Pudding Brownies and Fudgy Matcha Brownies.

Fudgy Buckeye Brownies with Peanut Butter

5 from 3 votes

Marley Goldin

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These Buckeye Brownies are decadent and delicious with a chewy brownie base covered with a succulent peanut butter fudge layer and finished with creamy chocolate ganache.

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cooling and Setting Time 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 3 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Servings 12 brownies

Equipment

• 9×9-inch or 8×8-inch baking pan
• Hand Mixer
• Whisk

Ingredients

 

USMetric

 

1x2x3x

Brownie Layer

• ▢ ½ cup unsalted butter
• ▢ 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 2 large eggs
• ▢ 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ▢ 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour (6 tablespoons = ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons)
• ▢ ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I used dark)
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt

Peanut Butter Layer

• ▢ ¼ cup unsalted butter
• ▢ 1 ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
• ▢ ¾ cup powdered sugar

Ganache Layer

• ▢ 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• ▢ ¾ cup heavy whipping cream

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Instructions

 

Brownie Layer

• Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9 x 9-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
• In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer on high to combine the softened butter with the sugar for 2-3 minutes to cream together.
  
• Add the eggs and vanilla and use the hand mixer on low until combined.
  
• Mix in flour, cocoa powder, and salt and combine until smooth.
  
• Transfer to your prepped baking dish, using a spatula to push the brownie batter to meet all four corners.
  
• Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes before adding your peanut butter and ganache layers.
  

Peanut Butter Fudge Layer

• To a large mixing bowl, add softened butter, creamy peanut butter, and powdered sugar. Use your clean hand mixer on high to whip until smooth.
  
• Once your brownies have had some time to cool, spread the peanut butter fudge mixture on top in an even layer.
  

Chocolate Ganache Layer

• To a heat-safe mixing bowl add the chocolate chips and heavy cream. Heat in one of two ways:

  Microwave method: Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Use a whisk to combine until smooth.

  Stovetop method: Fashion a double boiler by placing your mixing bowl on top of a pot of boiling water. Heat and whisk until the chocolate chips have melted and your mixture is smooth.
  
• Pour the ganache over the peanut butter layer and use a spatula to spread it across in an even layer. Place in the refrigerator to cool and set for at least 2 hours before slicing and serving.
  

Pro Tips

• Make sure you allow the brownies to cool for at least 30 minutes before adding the peanut butter and ganache layers.
• For a shortcut, you can use storebought brownies or a boxed brownie mix for the bottom layer.
• If your peanut butter is separated and oily, beat or blend it before mixing with the butter and powdered sugar. 
• If you love brownies as much as I do, you’ll love this collection of my greatest brownie recipes!

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Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Diet Vegetarian

Keyword Brownies, Buckeye Brownies, Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Brownies

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