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Buckeye Brownies are chocolatey, peanut buttery, and decadent as can be! This recipe uses boxed brownie mix and takes it to the next level with a layer of sweetened peanut butter and thick chocolate ganache.
Calling all chocolate and peanut butter lovers! This one’s for you. Brownies are topped with a layer of sweet, smooth peanut butter and thick chocolate ganache… Are you drooling yet? Because I might be. This easy dessert recipe takes everything you know and love about buckeyes and presents it in brownie form. It really doesn’t get much better than this!
I really love that I can whip up a batch of buckeye brownies all year round. Christmas parties, a movie night in the heat of the summer, a birthday party in spring, you get the idea. Chocolate and peanut butter layered on top of brownies just never seems to go out of style! Plus, it’s a boxed brownie mix recipe, and you know what that means… it’s easy as can be.
Why You’ll Love This
- Boxed brownie mix recipe. I love taking a box of brownie or cake mix and dressing it all the way up! This recipe really elevates your average box of brownies by adding two indulgent layers on top of your simple baked good.
- The LAYERS! Yes, the brownies are obviously pretty amazing. However, the sweet peanut butter and chocolate ganache layers kind of steal the show. They really solidify that classic buckeye flavor and they’re so easy to whip up!
- Deceptively impressive. What do I mean by this? Well, the layered look always seems pretty impressive in any dessert. It can just be our little secret that this recipe is actually incredibly quick and easy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here is a list of ingredients you will need to make this buckeye brownie recipe. Make sure to scroll down to view the full recipe for exact measurements.
- Brownie mix – You’ll also need whatever other ingredients are listed on the box. This usually includes water, eggs, and oil.
For the peanut butter layer:
- Icing sugar
- Peanut butter
- Salted butter
- Vanilla
- Salt
For the ganache layer:
- Semisweet chocolate chips
- Heavy cream
- Salted butter
How To Make Buckeye Brownies
Here is a general overview of the steps involved to make this easy recipe for buckeye brownies. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post for the full recipe.
Prepare. Line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper and preheat the oven to the temperature recommended on the box.
Bake the brownies. Follow the box instructions to make the brownies. Allow them to cool at room temperature. While they’re cooling, prepare the other layers!
Make the peanut butter mixture. Beat together the icing sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla and salt with an electric mixer. This will have a thick consistency that’s similar to Play-Doh.
Make the ganache. Place the chocolate in a mixing bowl. Melt the butter in a pan, stir in the cream and whisk until bubbles form. Pour this cream/butter mixture over the chocolate and immediately cover with a lid. Let sit for 5 minutes before stirring to form a smooth ganache.
Layer the brownies. Spread the peanut butter mixture into an even layer across the brownies. Pour the ganache on top and smooth it out.
Let them chill. Place the buckeye brownies in the fridge to let them to cool for half an hour prior to slicing and serving.
Recipe Tips, Substitutions, and Variations
Want the best brownies every time? Read through these quick notes:
- Use a brownie mix you like. The easiest way to make sure you know you’ll like your brownies is by choosing a box you already know and love of course! This recipe will work with any brand, so feel free to use whichever one you prefer.
- Stir the ganache. When you first stir the ganache and let it sit for just a minute, you may notice that it thickens. That’s okay! Just give it another stir before pouring it onto the peanut butter layer to get it back to the original consistency.
- Let the brownies chill. When you let buckeye brownies chill for just about 30 minutes in the fridge, they’ll be SO much easier to cut into clean slices with distinct layers. I know the wait may be killing you, but I promise exercising just a little bit of patience will be so worth it!
Storage Instructions
In an airtight container at room temperature, buckeye brownies will stay fresh for up to 3 days. You can keep them in the fridge for up to 4-5 days, but note that the top two layers may get a little hard after being kept in the fridge for that long.
More of the Best Brownie and Bar Recipes
No matter how you slice it, these easy brownie/bar recipes always hit the spot!
Buckeye Brownies
Equipment
Ingredients
- Brownie mix for 9X13 pan or 2 boxes of 8X8
- Ingredients as directed on box, usually eggs, water and oil
Peanut butter layer:
- 2 ½ cups (300 g) icing sugar
- 1 ½ cup (387 g) peanut butter
- ½ cup (114 g) salted butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- Pinch of salt
Ganache layer:
- 2 cups (360 g) semisweet chocolate chips, or chopped chocolate
- 1 cup (237 ml) heavy cream
- 2 Tablespoons (28 g) salted butter
Instructions
- Prepare a 9X13 baking pan by lining it with parchment paper.
- Preheat the oven to the temperature recommended on the box mix.
- Prepare the brownie mix according to the directions on the package and bake for the recommended time and allow them to cool.
- While the brownies are cooling, prepare the peanut butter layer and then the ganache layer.
- With a hand mixer, beat until smooth the icing sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla and salt. This will end up as a thick, play dough consistency. Set this aside.
- Next we will make the ganache. Measure the chocolate into a medium sized glass bowl (you will need a lid or plate that will cover this) and set this aside.
- Melt the butter over medium heat in a small saucepan. When the butter is melted, stir in the cream.
- Whisk this together constantly while increasing the heat to medium high. Cook this until it just starts forming bubbles.
- Immediately, pour the cream mixture over the bowl of chocolate and cover it with the lid. Let this sit for 5 minutes.
- Then stir to combine the chocolate and cream mixture. It may take a minute or two of stirring, but you should create a smooth ganache.
- As the ganache cools, it will thicken slightly. That is fine, just stir it up again when you are ready to spread it.
- Once the brownies have cooled a bit, spread on the peanut butter mixture by scooping out spoonfuls of the mixture onto the brownie layer, then using a spatula to smooth it out and cover the brownie layer completely.
- Pour the ganache on top and smooth out.
- Place the buckeye brownies into the fridge to allow them to cool and set for easier cutting. They will need at least 30 minutes.
