These Chocolate Peanut Butter Buckeye Brownie Cookies are a delicious, decadent, and easy dessert to make for Christmas, holiday parties, and year-round!
Chewy, fudge brownie cookies are topped with a sweet and creamy peanut butter ball and a milk chocolate drizzle, just like the famous Ohio buckeye candy.
Are you a chocolate and peanut butter lover? Then you’re going to LOVE today’s recipe for my decadent and delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter Buckeye Brownie Cookies.
These Buckeye Brownie Cookies are an irresistible combination of fudge brownie cookies, creamy peanut butter balls, and chocolate drizzle in one incredible dessert!
Even better, they’re SUPER easy to make, and perfect for making for Christmas, the holidays, or anytime you’re craving a peanut butter and chocolate treat.
Buckeye Brownie Cookies (Easy Peanut Butter Brownie Cookies)
These buckeye brownie cookies are inspired by delicious chocolate and peanut butter Buckeye candy.
If you’re from Ohio or one of the surrounding states, you probably already know what a Buckeye is, but just in case you don’t, I thought I’d share a quick history of buckeye candy.
What is a Buckeye/ Buckeye candy?
Buckeye candy, also called Buckeyes, was originally created by the Ohio State University football team The Buckeyes, and were made to be a delicious, pre-game treat for fans to enjoy.
Buckeyes were also made to resemble the nut from Ohio’s state tree, The Buckeye, and are peanut butter fudge balls with the top dipped slightly in chocolate.
What are buckeye brownie cookies?
These cookies feature all the same delicious flavors of buckeye candy, but in cookie form.
Delicious fudge brownie cookies are topped with a sweetened peanut butter ball, and coated with a milk chocolate drizzle.
They are absolutely divine to eat, and even easier to make than regular buckeye candy.
4 Reasons You’ll Love Buckeye Brownie Cookies:
Chewy Brownie Mix Cookies:
The chocolate cookies in this recipe are made quick and easy thanks to a simple fudge brownie mix, but no one will ever know the difference. They’re soft, chewy, fudgy, and delicious!
Decadent Peanut Butter Filling:
The peanut butter filling in these buckeye cookies is so decadent and dreamy! It’s perfectly sweetened with powdered sugar just like the original buckeye candy.
It’s Basically Heaven in a Bite:
These buckeye brownie cookies are a dream come true for both chocolate and peanut butter lovers, combining the best of both worlds in one delicious bite.
Fancy Dessert in a Flash:
These chocolate peanut butter cookies look super fancy and pretty for Christmas parties and holiday gatherings, but in reality they’re super quick and easy to make!
Buckeye Cookies Recipe Tips:
Use a Cookie Scoop:
Brownie mix and cake mix cookies have extremely thick batter that can sometimes be a pain to work with by hand.
That’s why I 110% always use and recommend using these cookie scoops. It makes it quick, easy, and painless.
You can also spray your scoops with a little non-stick cookie spray, if desired.
Don’t Overmix the Batter:
As I always recommend with all my brownie recipes, don’t overmix the batter!
Mix until JUST combined to avoid having tough, dry cookies.
Don’t Overbake the Cookies:
These cookies are meant to be soft and fudgy, which is why I recommend removing the cookies from the oven when the center still looks a tad soft.
They will continue to bake on the cookie sheet while they cool, for a perfectly soft and chewy brownie cookie.
Use a Cooling Rack/Parchment Paper:
To coat your cookies in chocolate without the mess, I recommend placing the cookies on a wire cooling rack over your parchment paper lined cooking sheet.
That way, the parchment paper will catch any chocolate drips that might fall down.
How to Make Buckeye Brownie Cookies
These buckeye brownie cookies really are such an EASY cookie to make, and they’re so decadent and perfect for the holiday and Christmas season.
Buckeye Brownie Cookies Ingredients:
Brownie Mix – You can use any boxed brownie mix. Our family’s favorites are Betty Crocker Milk Chocolate Brownies or Duncan Hines Chewy Fudge Brownies.
Butter – I used unsalted
Cream Cheese – I recommend using full-fat cream cheese or 1/3 fat cream cheese for this recipe for the best flavor.
Peanut Butter – This recipe works best with regular, creamy peanut butter like JIF. I wouldn’t recommend using natural peanut butter.
Powdered Sugar – You want to use confectioner’s sugar (aka powdered sugar) NOT granulated sugar.
Melting Chocolate – You can use any type of chocolate including melting wafers, chocolate chips, or Candiquik. I used Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Melting Wafers, which is my personal favorite and SO delicious!
(Optional) Chopped Nuts – If you love a good crunch, feel free to add some chopped nuts on top of your melted chocolate. I did half plain and half with nuts, and I personally loved the ones with nuts!
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Step 1:Make and Bake Your Brownie Cookies – Whip up your brownie batter, scoop out your cookie dough, and bake.
Step 2:Prepare Peanut Butter Balls – While your cookies bake, combine peanut butter and powdered sugar and roll into 1-inch peanut butter balls.
Step 3:Assemble Buckeye Brownie Cookies – Once cookies come out of the oven, immediately top with peanut butter balls, pressing down slightly into the warm brownie cookie.
Step 4:Top with Chocolate – After cookies have cooled for 5 minutes, transfer to a cooling rack and place on top of a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Top each brownie cookie with melted chocolate, leaving some of the peanut butter still showing to resemble a “buckeye”. You can also add some chopped peanuts on top for an added crunch.
Step 5:Eat and Enjoy!
Buckeye Brownie Cookies FAQ’s
Do I have to chill the brownie cookie dough?
No, this recipe doesn’t require you to chill the dough before baking – making it the perfect quick and easy dessert choice for the busy holiday season.
How long can buckeye brownie cookies last?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
Can I freeze buckeye brownie cookies?
Yes. Freeze prepared cookies for up to 3 months by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and storing in a freezer-safe container or bag.
Once ready to eat, let them thaw to room temperature and enjoy!
Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Buckeye Brownie Cookies are fudge brownie cookies topped with creamy peanut butter balls and melted chocolate. These sweet treats are delicious and decadent just like Ohio buckeye candy and great to make for Christmas, holidays, or year-round!
Ingredients
UnitsScale
Fudge Brownie Cookies
1 Box Fudge Brownie Mix
1/4cup butter, melted (unsalted)
4ounces cream cheese, softened (full fat or 1/3 fat recommended)
1 large egg
Peanut Butter Balls
3/4cup powdered (confectioners) sugar
3/4cup creamy peanut butter (use regular, not natural)
Chocolate Topping
1/2cup chocolate melting wafers or chocolate chips, melted
Optional: finely chopped peanuts
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a large mixing bowl, combine brownie mix, melted butter, softened cream cheese, and egg with an electric mixer until just combined.
Use a small, medium, or large cookie scoop to scoop onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. This recipe will yield 14-24 cookies, depending on size of scoop.
Bake in the oven for 9-12 minutes or until the edges of the brownie cookies are set. Do not overbake.
While the cookies are baking, prepare your peanut butter balls by combining creamy peanut butter and powdered sugar until evenly combined. Form mixture into enough 1 inch balls to top each of your cookies.
Remove cookies from the oven and immediately press a peanut butter ball gently into the center of each cookie. The peanut butter mixture will soften slightly.
Let cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack and place on top of a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Let the brownie cookies cool for an additional 10 minutes, then top each brownie cookie with melted chocolate, leaving some of the peanut butter still showing to resemble a “buckeye”. If needed, use the back of the spoon to smooth on top.
If desired, add finely chopped peanuts on top of the wet chocolate for an added crunch.
Let the chocolate fully set up on each of the brownie cookies before eating or storing.
Notes
Storage Instructions:
Store leftover buckeye brownie cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Freeze prepared cookies for up to 3 months by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and storing in a freezer-safe container or bag.
Once ready to eat, let them thaw to room temperature and enjoy!
