There’s nothing quite like the sweet magic of Old Fashioned Buckeye Brownies—a heavenly mash-up of fudgy chocolate and creamy peanut butter that’ll have your taste buds doing cartwheels. Imagine biting into a tender brownie base, hitting the soft peanut butter center, and finishing with a glossy chocolate ganache. Sound like dessert nirvana? You bet! Let’s dive into why these bars deserve a permanent spot in your recipe arsenal.
Why We Love This Buckeye Brownies Recipe
First off, it’s ridiculously easy. We’re talking boxed brownie mix meets homemade flair. No guilt here—just Brownie Desserts done right. You’ll swear you spent all morning in the kitchen, but really? Twenty minutes of active prep.
The Fudgy Brownie Base
Start with an 18.3-ounce boxed mix, a half-cup of oil, two large eggs, and three tablespoons of water. Whisk until smooth, spread in a parchment-lined 9×13 pan, and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. FYI: Don’t overbake—those gooey brownies are the foundation of perfection.
Layer on the Peanut Butter Goodness
While your brownies cool, it’s peanut butter time. Cream together room-temp butter and two cups of creamy peanut butter until silky. Add two teaspoons of vanilla, then beat in three cups of powdered sugar, one cup at a time. Pro tip: When smoothing, lay a piece of wax paper on top and gently glide your spatula for a showroom-worthy finish.
Ganache Glory
Next, melt a 12-ounce bag of semi-sweet chips with a quarter-cup of heavy cream. Microwave for 45 seconds, stir, then zap in 15-second bursts until glossy. Spread over the peanut butter layer and chill—boom, you’ve got Buckeye Brownies With Peanut Butter Frosting that rival anything you’ll find in a bakery case.
Slang Alert (But Just a Little)
These bars are the real deal, IMO. No fancy wizardry—just straightforward Buckeye Brownies that’ll have you licking the spatula.
Substitutions & Customizations
- Swap in dark or milk chocolate chips for your ganache.
- Crunchy peanut butter? Go for it—it’s your kitchen.
- Homemade brownies over boxed mix? Sure, but stick to the same ratios for fool-proof results.
Serving Suggestions
Snack on them straight up or go wild: add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel, or even a sprinkle of crushed pretzels for an Easy Peanut Butter Buckeye Recipe With Pretzels twist. Game day? Pair with iced tea or homemade hot chocolate. Buckeye fans, meet your MVP dessert.
Making It a Dessert Bar Recipe
Cut into 2½×3-inch pieces after a brief chill. If you chill too long, the ganache might crack—so slice after 20 minutes of chilling, then finish chilling. Voilà, a tidy Dessert Bar Recipe perfect for sharing (if you’re feeling generous).
Bonus Peanut Butter Chocolate Treats
Can’t get enough? Try our Buckeye Brownie Cookies 12 Tomatoes (yes, tomatoes!) or gooey Reese’s Peanut Butter Brownies. Trust me, your cookie jar will thank you.
Storage Hacks
- On the counter: Airtight container, up to seven days.
- In the freezer: Up to one month—just thaw overnight in the fridge.
Got Questions?
Why “buckeye”? Because these bars resemble Ohio’s native buckeye nut—dark shell, nutty core. Neat, huh?
Ready to whip up your batch? Gather your ingredients, preheat that oven, and get ready for Buckeye Brownies that take boxed mix to new heights. Let’s get baking—your dessert game just leveled up!
Old-Fashioned Buckeye Brownies with Peanut Butter Frosting
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 15 slices
Description
Get ready for a chocolate-and-peanut-butter mash-up that’s anything but ordinary! These Buckeye Brownies have a fudgy base, a creamy peanut butter filling, and a glossy chocolate top—pure dessert bliss.
Ingredients
For the Brownie Base
- 1 (18.3-oz) box brownie mix
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, beaten and at room temperature
- 3 tbsp water
For the Peanut Butter Filling
- 8 tbsp salted sweet cream butter, softened
- 2 cups smooth peanut butter
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
For the Chocolate Ganache
- 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Make the Brownie Layer
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13″ pan with parchment paper and give it a light coating of baking spray.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the brownie mix, oil, eggs, and water just until the mixture looks uniform.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 20 minutes, then let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Whip Up the Peanut Butter Filling
- In a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer in a large bowl), beat the softened butter on medium-high for about 1 minute until silky.
- Add the peanut butter and vanilla, then continue to mix on medium-high until fully blended.
- Drop the speed to medium-low and gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. The mixture should be thick and spreadable.
- Once the brownies are cool, use an offset spatula to spread the peanut butter layer evenly over the top.
- Tip: Lay a piece of wax paper directly on the filling and gently glide your spatula over it for a super-smooth finish.
- Prepare the Ganache
- Place the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 45 seconds, stir, then heat in 15-second bursts, stirring until the ganache is silky and lump-free.
- Pour the warm ganache over the peanut butter layer and smooth it out with your spatula.
- Chill and Slice
- Cover the pan and refrigerate for 15–20 minutes to let the ganache set just enough for clean cuts.
- Remove from the fridge, slice into 15 pieces (about 2½″×3″ each), then return the covered pan to chill for an additional 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Lift the brownies out by the parchment paper. If needed, re-slice the edges before serving.
Notes
Pro Tips & Notes
- Chill Timing: If you chill the fully intact slab for the entire 2 hours, the ganache can crack when you cut it. That’s why we do a quick pre-slice after 15–20 minutes, then finish chilling.
- Smooth Operator: Placing wax paper on the peanut butter layer makes spreading a breeze and ensures a flawless finish.
- Re-slicing: After lifting the brownies out, you might find the edges a bit ragged—just trim them with your knife for picture-perfect bars.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts
Nutrition
- Calories: 661kcal
- Sugar: 53g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 39g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 71g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 47mg