Calling all chocolate and peanut butter lovers over to try these Buckeye Brownies! These brownies are decadent and moist! If you like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and fudge then you will LOVE these!

three buckeye brownies stacked on a white plate

This Buckeye Brownie Recipe is an easy version that uses a brownie mix and a pre-made can of frosting! The peanut butter fudge layer is homemade but still easy to whip up. You could substitute in your favorite (traditional) homemade brownie recipe as well.

These brownies are wonderful at Christmas with or without holiday sprinkles. With those brown layers, they also look great in the Fall. Any time of year …. they would be a hit!

three buckeye brownies with Christmas sprinkles on a white plate

three buckeye brownies with Fall sprinkles on a white plate

*** This recipe is adapted from the cookbook “Tis the Season” published by Oxmoor house in 2016, recipes developed by Julia Levy, Callie Nash, and Karen Rankin.

What Are Buckeye Brownies?

Buckeye Brownies were inspired by the popular homemade “Buckeye Candy”. A Buckeye candy is a ball of peanut butter fudge partially dipped in chocolate to look like a nut. The nuts that grow on the Buckeye tree in Ohio; which is Ohio’s state tree.

When I was a kid, these homemade candies always made an appearance in Iowa at Christmas time. They were my favorite throughout all of the holiday treats my mother and grandmothers would make. A fudgy version of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup added to a pan of rich chocolate brownies! Yum!

How to Make Buckeye Brownies

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, 325 degrees for nonstick pans. Grease a 13 x 9 cake pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper.

ingredients for easy Buckeye brownies recipe on a white counter

Gather your ingredients. You will need a boxed brownie mix, preferably a fudge brownie mix. For the creamy peanut butter filling you will need 1 cup of creamy peanut butter, 2 cups of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and 1/2 cup of softened butter. The final layer is a canister of already made chocolate frosting (preferably fudge flavored).

Making the Brownie Layer

Grab the box of brownie mix and a large bowl. Follow the directions on the back of the mix which usually calls for water, oil, and eggs. If you prefer a homemade brownie you can also substitute in any traditional brownie recipe. After preparing the brownie batter pour into the prepared pan and bake as directed.

box of brownie mix, two eggs in bowl, cup of oil, and bowl of water on a white counter top

Allow the brownies to cool for about an hour or until they are room temperature.

How to make the Peanut Butter Fudge & Chocolate topping ….

With an electric mixer, on medium speed, combine the softened butter and the peanut butter until smooth. Gradually add in the powdered sugar and milk, and combine with the hand mixer until smooth.

white bowl with peanut butter, butter, and powdered sugar with electric mixer

peanut butter fudge in a white bowl being mixed with electric mixer

Add the peanut butter mixture on top of the cooled brownies. The mixture will be somewhat thick, spread carefully into an even layer. I like to evenly plop small spoonfuls of the mixture on top of the brownies first. Then spread it together so it is less likely to pull up the brownie.

bowl of chocolate pre-made frosting next to a pan of brownies with peanut butter fudge layer on top

Now add all of the frosting from the canister into a small bowl, make sure it is a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 25 seconds. Add the melted chocolate to the top of the peanut butter layer. Now you have two delicious chocolate layers sandwhiching in that creamy peanut butter layer!

brownies with peanut butter fudge layer being covered with chocolate frosting by a spatula

How to Store & Serve Buckeye Brownies

The brownies will need to cool and set in the fridge for one to two hours or until the frosting sets. For best results, these fudgy brownies will also need to be stored in the fridge. Store in an airtight container, for up to a week.

Keeping them in the fridge will make for easier cutting and it will help them to retain their shape. These brownies are so rich that you could easily cut them into smaller squares or make them in a cupcake pan for Buckeye Brownie Bites! I love rich chocolatey desserts so I enjoy a regular brownie piece, some may find a bite size square to be satisfying enough.

several buckeye brownies cut into squares and spread across white counter

These can be frozen for 2 to 3 months. Add a layer of plastic wrap under the lid for an extra seal. You may want to make these ahead of time for a party or ahead of the holiday season to save on time. You can warm them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds and add a scoop of ice cream on top! Of course they are also just as delicious straight out of the fridge!

Check out more yummy desserts below …..

Easy Cherry Chocolate Cake (with chocolate ganache frosting)

Best Monster Cookie Bars (without butter)

Easy Peach Cobbler Dump Cake Recipe (with white cake mix)

multiple buckeye brownies spread out on a white counter

Easy Buckeye Brownies Recipe (peanut butter brownies)

If you like Reese's pieces and fudge then you will LOVE these brownies! This Buckeye Brownie Recipe is an easy version that uses a brownie mix and a pre-made can of frosting! The peanut butter fudge layer is homemade but still easy to whip up. You can also substitute in your favorite (traditional) homemade brownie recipe as well. Great for the holidays or any gathering year-round!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 3

Total Time 3 20

Servings 25 servings

Ingredients

1 box Fudge Brownie Mix for a 13 x 9 inch pan
Water, Vegetable Oil, Eggs as directed by Brownie Mix
1 cup Peanut Butter creamy
1/2 cup butter softened
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp milk
1 1 lb container of pre-made chocolate frosting preferrably chocolate fudge frosting
Sprinkles and/or Mini M&Ms optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, for a nonstick pan 325 degrees. Follow the directions on the brownie mix and prepare the brownie batter. Allow the brownies to cool for about an hour. Preferrably on a wire rack.
Peanut Butter Filling: with an electric mixer beat the peanut butter and the butter on medium speed, until smooth. Gradually beat in the milk and powdered sugar until smooth. This will be somewhat thick, spread carefully over the brownies.
Put all of the pre-made frosting into a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 25 seconds on high. Stir until smooth and then spread evenly onto the brownies.
Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours, until the frosting has cooled and set. Cut, serve, and enjoy!

Notes

Cover the brownies and store in the refrigerator for up to one week. Storing them in the freg. helps them to retain their flavor and form. They will also freeze well in a tightly sealed container for 2 to 3 months.

You can also make these with a homemade brownie recipe

They are as rich as fudge so you may want to cut into smaller pieces.

Add Christmas or Fall sprinkles and/or mini M&Ms to decorate them for the holidays.

*** This recipe is adapted from the cookbook “Tis the Season” published by Oxmoor house, recipes developed by Julia Levy, Callie Nash, and Karen Rankin.