Buckeye Brownie Cookies: A Decadent Dessert for Every Occasion
Are you a fan of peanut butter, chocolate, and gooey, melt-in-your-mouth desserts? If so, these Buckeye Brownie Cookies are just what you need to satisfy your sweet tooth! Combining the rich, fudgy texture of a brownie with the creamy sweetness of peanut butter, these cookies are a heavenly treat for anyone who loves this classic flavor combination. The best part? They’re quick and easy to make, with only a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time. Let’s dive into this irresistible recipe!
🍪 What Are Buckeye Brownie Cookies?
A Buckeye Brownie Cookie is a delicious hybrid dessert that combines the best of both worlds: brownies and Buckeyes (a famous peanut butter and chocolate treat from Ohio). The cookies start with a fudgy brownie base, topped with a creamy peanut butter filling and drizzled with smooth melted chocolate. The result is a dessert that tastes like the perfect blend of a peanut butter cup and a brownie.
These cookies are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a casual afternoon snack, a party treat, or a sweet end to a family dinner. The combination of textures—from the soft, chewy brownie base to the creamy peanut butter filling and glossy chocolate topping—creates a dessert experience that is hard to beat.
🍫 Ingredients for Buckeye Brownie Cookies
For the Brownie Base:
1 box brownie mix (18 oz) – This forms the base of your cookies, giving them that signature fudgy texture.
1/4 cup all-purpose flour – A small amount of flour helps to thicken the dough, ensuring that the cookies hold their shape.
1/4 cup vegetable oil – Adds moisture to the brownie dough and contributes to the chewy texture.
3 tbsp water – Helps to bring the brownie mix together and create the right consistency.
1 large egg – Provides structure to the dough and helps bind everything together.
For the Peanut Butter Filling:
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter – The star ingredient of the filling, offering a rich, smooth, and nutty taste.
3/4 cup powdered sugar – Sweetens the peanut butter and gives it a firm consistency when rolled into balls.
For the Chocolate Topping:
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips – These will be melted and drizzled over the cookies for a delicious chocolate coating.
1 tbsp coconut oil (optional) – Coconut oil helps to smooth out the chocolate when melted, giving it a glossy finish.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions for Buckeye Brownie Cookies
Making these Buckeye Brownie Cookies is straightforward, and with just a few simple steps, you’ll have a batch of indulgent cookies ready in no time. Here’s how to do it:
1. Prepare the Brownie Batter
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, combine the brownie mix, flour, vegetable oil, water, and egg. Stir until smooth and thick. The dough should have a consistency similar to brownie batter—rich and fudgy but firm enough to scoop.
2. Shape and Bake the Cookies
Scoop the brownie dough into 1 1/2-inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Make sure to space the balls about 2 inches apart to allow the cookies to spread during baking.
Gently flatten each ball slightly using your fingers or the back of a spoon. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. The cookies will continue to set as they cool, so don’t overbake them.
3. Make the Peanut Butter Filling
While the cookies are baking, prepare the peanut butter filling. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter and powdered sugar. Stir until smooth and well-combined.
Once the mixture is smooth, roll the peanut butter mixture into small balls, about the size of a marble. Slightly flatten the balls so that they are easier to press onto the cookies later.
4. Top the Cookies with Peanut Butter
When the cookies are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool for about 5 minutes. While the cookies are still warm, gently press one peanut butter disc onto the top of each cookie. The peanut butter will soften slightly due to the warmth of the cookie, making it easy to stick.
5. Melt the Chocolate
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the semisweet chocolate chips with coconut oil (if using). Microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Be patient, as this can take a minute or two.
6. Top with Melted Chocolate
Once the chocolate is melted, drizzle or spoon the chocolate over each cookie, covering the peanut butter disc. Let the chocolate flow down the sides of the cookie for a beautiful, glossy finish.
7. Cool and Serve
Allow the cookies to cool completely, letting the chocolate harden and set. If you’re in a rush, you can speed up the cooling process by placing the cookies in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes.
Once the chocolate is set, your Buckeye Brownie Cookies are ready to serve and enjoy!
🍽️ Tips for Perfect Buckeye Brownie Cookies
Consistency: If your brownie dough is too thick, you can add a little more water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a scoopable consistency.
Peanut Butter Filling: If you want a stronger peanut butter flavor, you can add more peanut butter to the filling mixture, but be careful not to make it too soft or it may not hold its shape.
Chocolate: Use high-quality semisweet chocolate chips for the best results. If you prefer milk chocolate, feel free to substitute, but the flavor profile will be sweeter.
Storage: These cookies store well for several days in an airtight container at room temperature. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months—just make sure to layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
🧑🍳 Variations on Buckeye Brownie Cookies
While these Buckeye Brownie Cookies are perfect just as they are, there are plenty of ways to customize them based on your preferences or dietary restrictions:
Gluten-Free Version: Use a gluten-free brownie mix and gluten-free flour to make these cookies gluten-free. Just ensure the brownie mix doesn’t contain wheat-based flour.
Add-ins: For extra texture, add some chopped nuts, like peanuts or walnuts, to the brownie dough before baking. You can also stir in mini chocolate chips for even more chocolatey goodness.
Dairy-Free Option: Use dairy-free chocolate chips and peanut butter, and substitute coconut oil for butter in the brownie dough.
Mini Buckeye Brownie Cookies: Instead of making full-sized cookies, try making mini versions for a bite-sized treat. Simply scoop smaller portions of dough and bake for a shorter time—around 5-6 minutes.
🍰 Why You’ll Love These Cookies
Rich and Fudgy: The brownie base is rich, fudgy, and deeply chocolatey, with just the right amount of chewiness.
Creamy Peanut Butter: The smooth peanut butter filling adds the perfect creamy contrast to the dense brownie.
Chocolate Overload: The melted chocolate topping gives these cookies an irresistible glossy finish and extra chocolatey goodness.
Easy to Make: These cookies are simple to prepare, making them perfect for beginner bakers and busy home cooks alike.
🍩 Serve These Cookies At Your Next Party!
Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, a holiday gathering, or just a casual get-together, these Buckeye Brownie Cookies will be the star of the show. Serve them alongside milk, coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat that everyone will love.
These cookies also make an excellent gift—just package them in a cute box or bag and share the joy with friends and family.
📝 Final Thoughts
These Buckeye Brownie Cookies are a must-try for any peanut butter and chocolate lover. With their fudgy brownie base, creamy peanut butter filling, and decadent chocolate topping, they deliver on both flavor and texture. And the best part? They’re incredibly easy to make, so you can whip up a batch in no time and enjoy them fresh from the oven.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your brownie mix, peanut butter, and chocolate chips, and start baking these irresistible treats today!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yields: 24 cookies
Calories: 150 kcal per cookie
Happy baking! 🍪✨