Name: Buckeye Brownies
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 26 min
Total time: 86 min
Ingredients: 3½ cups bittersweet chocolate; ⅞ cup unsalted butter; 6 large eggs; 1½ cups granulated sugar; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract; 1½ cups all purpose flour*; 2 cups smooth peanut butter; ½ cup unsalted butter; 3/16 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; 1½ cups powdered sugar (sifted); 1½ cups bittersweet chocolate; 1½ cups heavy cream

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These Buckeye Brownies are a delicious twist on the classic candy. It’s three layers of goodness! A rich and fudgy chocolate brownie, creamy peanut butter “fudge”, and finished with dark chocolate ganache.

If you love the classic candy or maybe our peanut butter swirl brownies, I can guarantee you will love these brownies even MORE!

buckeye brownies on sheet pan with peanut crumbs and bowl of peanut butter on marble surface.

No, you’re eyes are not deceiving you. These buckeye brownies are EXTRA thick! I personally love to call them “sky-high buckeye brownies” because of the genuine height of these bars. They’re the tall, dark, and handsome treat you’ve always wanted. 😉

Let’s Be Friends ♡

three stacked buckeye brownies on lined sheet pan with more brownies around.

So, What Exactly IS A Buckeye/Buckeye Brownie?

Well, as you may have guessed, a buckeye is a chocolate and peanut butter candy. While similar to peanut butter cups in ingredients, they are actually just a little bit different. Instead of encasing peanut butter filling in chocolate, a buckeye is made from a peanut butter fudge ball partially dipped in chocolate to leave a little “eye” poking out on top. The peanut butter to chocolate ratio in a buckeye candy is MUCH more than what you would find in any other candy.

These brownies take that same idea but turn it into an extra decadent and rich treat. We have about a 50/50 ratio, which we found during testing to be the best amount. Any less and the chocolate was the main star of the show, leaving little peanut butter flavor. Any more and all you could taste was peanut butter with a hint of chocolate.

angled image of buckeye brownie with bite missing and seven more brownies around.

What Goes In Buckeye Brownies?

This recipe is divided into three sections. The brownie, the peanut butter “fudge”, and the ganache. This helps streamline your baking process and ensures each element is done right when it needs to be!

GrabIngredients For The Brownies:

Bittersweet Chocolate – Our go to for most things chocolate, bittersweet chocolate has a rich, complex flavor without being overly sweet.
Unsalted Butter – With a bright, fresh flavor that adds richness, unsalted butter also adds moisture and flavor and allows us to control the level of salt.
Eggs – The binder that holds all the ingredients together, eggs also contribute structure, stability, moisture, and richness.
Granulated Sugar – Adding the perfect amount of sweetness, granulated sugar also contributes to the soft and chewy texture of these brownies.
Salt – Just a bit of salt enhances the flavor of the chocolate and balances the sweetness.
Vanilla Extract – While adding a subtle undertone, vanilla enhances the flavor of the chocolate.
All Purpose Flour – The protein content in all purpose flour creates the ideal structure for these brownies.

chocolate chips, butter, eggs, sugar, salt, vanilla, and flour on marble surface with text over each ingredient.

Next, The Peanut Butter Layer:

Smooth Peanut Butter – Use a commercial brand of peanut butter for this, not natural peanut butter. If you use natural, it will throw the ratios off; and it won’t taste good.
Unsalted Butter – Helps to keep the peanut butter smooth and creamy.
Salt – Enhances the flavor of the peanut butter and tempers the sweetness from the powdered sugar.
Vanilla Extract – Just a little bit really rounds out the flavor.
Powdered Sugar – Not only does powdered sugar sweeten, it melts easily which helps to keep this “fudge” layer smooth.

powdered sugar, butter, peanut butter, salt, and vanilla in marble surface with text over each ingredient.

Lastly, The Ganache:

Bittersweet Chocolate – Smooth and not too sweet, bittersweet chocolate provides a rich and complex flavor profile.
Heavy Cream – The higher fat percentage in heavy cream makes it ideal for ganache.

chocolate chips and heavy cream on marble surface with text over each ingredient.

How To Make Buckeye Brownies

Step 1: Make the brownies

In a medium bowl, combine chocolate and butter. Microwave in 15 second increments, stirring after each, until melted and smooth. Set aside.

butter and chocolate chips in glass bowl.

In a large bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, salt, and vanilla together.

Whisk in chocolate.

Fold in flour.

A Quick Tip!

When prepping your pan, line it with parchment paper with enough overhang to lift the brownies out. This will make things much easier in terms of getting the brownies out of the pan, as well as prevent your pan from getting damaged by cutting.

Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes. Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare Peanut Butter Layer

Combine peanut butter and butter in a medium bowl. Microwave in 30 second increments, stirring after each, until melted and smooth.

Stir in salt and vanilla.

vanilla and salt added to melted peanut butter.

melted peanut butter mixture in glass bowl.

With a hand mixer, beat in powdered sugar.

powdered sugar added to melted peanut butter.

thick peanut butter mixture in glass bowl.

Spread evenly on top of brownie layer. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until set.

peanut butter mixture added to rectangular pan.

solidified peanut butter layer in rectangular pan.

Step 3: Make ganache

Combine chocolate and cream in a medium bowl. Microwave in 15 second increments, stirring well after each, until chocolate is melted, and mixture is smooth.

chocolate chips and heavy cream in glass bowl.

Spread evenly over top of peanut butter layer.

ganache spread over peanut butter in rectangular pan.

Recipe FAQ’s

While you can make boxed brownies if you’re really in a pinch, this recipe really shines due to the extra fudgy homemade brownie. Plus, the homemade brownies are JUST as easy to mix-up as a boxed mix. So, if you can, we really recommend making this recipe as-written.

For best results, the peanut butter layer should be made with creamy peanut butter like Jif, Peter Pan, or Skippy.

To set the peanut butter layer and the ganache layer, these brownies need to be refrigerated. If you don’t like cold brownies, you can set them out ahead of time (about 1 hour) to allow them to come to room temperature before serving.

We found that, with this recipe in particular, using a cake tester or toothpick is the best way to tell when the brownie is perfectly baked. After inserting the cake tester, it should still be a little damp with maybe one or two crumbs on it.

Since these brownies are so moist, it’s best to keep them in a zip-top bag or airtight container and in the fridge for 5-7 days. You can also store them in the freezer in a freezer safe bag for up to 2 months!

More Brownie Recipes You Will Love

– Still Hungry? –

Here are a few recipes may like!

Buckeye Brownies Recipe

Let’s Be Friends ♡

So, What Exactly IS A Buckeye/Buckeye Brownie?