Okay, so let’s talk about Buckeye Brownies. If you’re anything like me, the combo of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter just hits different, right? It’s pure comfort food, seriously. Growing up, Buckeyes were *the* candy during the holidays. My grandma always had a huge plate of them, and sneaking one (or three) was a Christmas tradition. But let’s be real, sometimes you want that flavor without all the rolling and dipping. That’s where these Buckeye Brownies come in!
Trust me, this recipe is a game-changer. It takes everything you love about that classic candy – that intense chocolate, the smooth, slightly salty peanut butter – and turns it into the most decadent, layered brownie you’ll ever sink your teeth into. And honestly? They’re surprisingly easy to whip up. We’re talking fudgy brownies, a dreamy peanut butter layer, and a shiny, rich chocolate ganache on top. It’s a triple threat of deliciousness that always gets rave reviews. Get ready to be obsessed!
Why You’ll Love These Buckeye Brownies
Okay, so why *these* Buckeye Brownies specifically? Because they’re not just brownies; they’re an experience! Seriously, every bite is like a little party in your mouth. Here’s the lowdown on why you’re going to fall head-over-heels for them:
- That Classic Combo: I mean, chocolate and peanut butter? Is there anything better? It’s a flavor pairing that just *works*, and these brownies showcase it perfectly.
- Surprisingly Simple: Don’t let the layers scare you! They’re actually really straightforward to make. If you can make basic brownies, you can totally nail these.
- Total Crowd-Pleaser: Seriously, bring these to any gathering, and you’ll be the hero. They disappear in minutes, every single time.
- Layer Upon Layer of Goodness: You get the fudgy brownie, the smooth, sweet-and-salty peanut butter, and that rich, decadent chocolate ganache. It’s pure bliss!
They’re just so satisfying and delicious. You really can’t go wrong!
Ingredients for Perfect Buckeye Brownies
Alright, let’s get down to business! To make these amazing Buckeye Brownies, you’re going to need a few key players. Nothing too fancy, just good old dependable stuff you probably already have, or can easily grab. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup (that’s 2 sticks!) of unsalted butter, and you’ll want this melted down.
- 2 cups of plain old granulated sugar.
- 4 large eggs – make sure they’re large!
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.
- 1 and a half cups of all-purpose flour.
- 1 full cup of unsweetened cocoa powder. This is where the chocolatey goodness comes from!
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder.
- Half a teaspoon of salt.
- 1 cup of creamy peanut butter.
- Half a cup of powdered sugar.
- A quarter cup of butter, but this time softened, not melted.
- 1 cup of chocolate chips for that luscious ganache.
- Half a cup of heavy cream.
See? Easy peasy ingredients for maximum deliciousness!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
A few quick thoughts on those ingredients! For the cocoa powder, using a good quality unsweetened kind really makes a difference in the chocolate flavor, so go for the best you can find. When it comes to peanut butter, creamy is key here for that smooth layer, and I always use a standard, non-natural kind because they set up better. If you need to go dairy-free, you can totally swap out the butter for a good vegan butter stick and use dairy-free chocolate chips and heavy cream. Just know the texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still be super tasty!
Essential Equipment for Making Buckeye Brownies
You don’t need a fancy kitchen full of gadgets for these Buckeye Brownies, promise! Just a few basic tools will get the job done perfectly. You’ll definitely want a good 9×13 inch baking pan – it’s the perfect size for getting that nice layer ratio. You’ll need a couple of mixing bowls, one for your wet ingredients and one for the dry. A whisk is key for getting everything combined smoothly, especially that peanut butter layer! And finally, a small saucepan works great for heating up that cream for the ganache.
How to Prepare Your Buckeye Brownies
Alright, let’s get these amazing Buckeye Brownies assembled! It’s not complicated, just follow these steps, and you’ll be well on your way to pure chocolate-peanut butter heaven. Read through everything once before you start – it always helps!
- First things first, get your oven ready. Preheat it to a nice 350°F (that’s 175°C). While it’s heating up, grab your 9×13 inch baking pan. You want to make sure those brownies don’t stick, so grease it really well and then give it a light dusting of flour. Tap out any excess.
- Now, let’s make the brownie batter! In a big bowl, whisk together that melted butter and the granulated sugar until they’re nicely combined.
- Time for the eggs! Beat them in one at a time. Don’t rush this part! Then, stir in your vanilla extract. It should look smooth and lovely.
- In a separate bowl (this is important!), whisk together your dry ingredients: the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Give it a good mix so everything is evenly distributed.
- Okay, now we bring the wet and dry together. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Mix *just* until everything is combined. Seriously, stop mixing as soon as you don’t see dry streaks anymore. Overmixing makes for tough brownies, and we want fudgy ones!
- Pour that beautiful batter into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Get it right into the corners.
- Pop the pan into your preheated oven and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. How do you know they’re done? A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs attached, not wet batter.
- This is the hardest part: patience! Let those brownies cool *completely* in the pan. Like, totally, utterly cool. This is crucial before the next layer.
- While the brownies are cooling, you can make the peanut butter layer. In a bowl, beat together the creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, and that softened butter until it’s super smooth and creamy.
- Once the brownies are cool, spread that glorious peanut butter mixture evenly over the top. Get it right to the edges.
- Almost there! Let’s make that chocolate ganache. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until it’s just starting to simmer around the edges. Don’t let it boil like crazy.
- Pour the hot cream over your chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl. Let it sit there for about 5 minutes. Don’t touch it! This lets the chocolate melt. Then, grab your whisk and gently whisk it until it’s perfectly smooth and glossy. Wow!
- Pour the ganache over the peanut butter layer and spread it out evenly. It should look so rich and tempting!
- Now for the final test of patience: pop the pan into the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This lets the ganache set up nicely so you can cut clean squares.
- Once it’s set, take them out, slice ’em up, and prepare for pure bliss!
Tips for Achieving the Best Buckeye Brownies
Want your Buckeye Brownies to be absolutely perfect? Here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up. First, seriously, don’t overmix that brownie batter! Just combine the ingredients and stop. That’s key for a fudgy texture. Second, make sure those brownies are completely, totally cool before you even *think* about putting the peanut butter layer on. If they’re warm, that peanut butter will just melt into a mess. And finally, give that ganache enough time to set in the fridge. It makes slicing so much easier and gives you those beautiful, distinct layers. Trust me, these little things make a big difference!
Frequently Asked Questions About Buckeye Brownies
Okay, so you’ve got questions about these amazing Buckeye Brownies? Totally understandable! Here are some common ones I get:
Q1. Can I make these Buckeye Brownies ahead of time?
Oh, absolutely! They actually get even better after a day or two as the flavors mingle. Just keep them stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
Q2. How long do Buckeye Brownies last?
If they manage to last that long (mine usually disappear fast!), they’re generally good for about 5-7 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Q3. Can I freeze Buckeye Brownies?
Yes, you can! Cut them into squares first, then wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They should be good for up to 2-3 months. Just let them thaw in the fridge or at room temperature before enjoying.
Estimated Nutritional Information for Buckeye Brownies
Okay, so I’m a home cook, not a nutritionist, but I know some of you like to have an idea of what you’re getting! Based on the ingredients in this recipe, each Buckeye Brownie (if you cut them into 24 squares) is roughly around 350 calories. You’re looking at about 20g of fat (with 10g being saturated fat), 40g of carbs (with 30g of sugar), and 5g of protein. Just remember, these are *estimates*! Your numbers might vary a bit depending on the specific brands of butter, peanut butter, and chocolate chips you use. But hey, they’re totally worth it for a treat!
Store and Enjoy Your Delicious Buckeye Brownies
Alright, you’ve made the magic happen! Now, if by some miracle you have any of these glorious Buckeye Brownies leftover (it’s a rare occurrence in my house!), you’ll want to store them properly. The best way is in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Because of that delicious peanut butter layer and ganache, keeping them chilled is key! They’ll stay perfectly good and fudgy for about 5 to 7 days. I honestly think they’re best cold, but if you want them slightly softer, just let one sit out at room temp for a few minutes before diving in. Enjoy every single decadent bite!
Print
Amazing Buckeye Brownies: A Pure Bliss Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 24 brownies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Rich chocolate brownies topped with a creamy peanut butter layer and a decadent chocolate ganache, mimicking the classic Buckeye candy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup softened butter
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Let the brownies cool completely.
- For the peanut butter layer, beat together the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and softened butter until smooth.
- Spread the peanut butter mixture over the cooled brownies.
- For the chocolate ganache, heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until simmering. Remove from heat and pour over the chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes, then whisk until smooth.
- Pour the chocolate ganache over the peanut butter layer and spread evenly.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the ganache to set.
- Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- Ensure brownies are completely cool before adding the peanut butter layer.
- For a smoother ganache, use high-quality chocolate chips.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: buckeye brownies, chocolate brownies, peanut butter brownies, dessert