If you love the flavors of peanut butter and chocolate colliding in gooey cookie form, Buckeye Brownie Cookies are simply irresistible. Imagine rich brownie cookies, a whipped peanut butter center, and a glossy chocolate shell—these are a decadent nod to the classic buckeye candy, all reimagined as a soft, fudgy cookie. Party favorites, bake sale blockbusters, or just a treat for yourself, these cookies make every day a little more special!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Three Classic Layers: Fudgy brownie cookie, creamy peanut butter, and rich chocolate—all in one bite!
- No-fuss Ingredients: Pantry staples like boxed brownie mix and peanut butter make this both easy and fail-proof.
- Showstopping Results: These cookies look bakery-worthy and never fail to impress family, friends, or coworkers.
- Make-ahead Friendly: Buckeye Brownie Cookies freeze beautifully and are perfect for prepping before any event.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients, you’ll create layers of chocolate, peanut butter, and fudgy cookie goodness. Each one plays a delicious role—from giving that classic buckeye flavor to creating the perfect chewy texture.
- Fudge brownie mix (19.5 oz, family size): The base for our cookies—guaranteed fudgy and rich with minimal effort!
- Butter, melted: Adds indulgence and helps bind the dough together.
- Cream cheese, softened: Makes the cookie dough extra moist and tender, plus adds a subtle tang.
- Large egg: Provides structure and a chewy bite to the cookies.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and softens the peanut butter filling, delivering that classic creamy texture.
- Creamy peanut butter: For the irresistible, melt-in-your-mouth buckeye center (smooth is best for spreading).
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: The crowning touch that adds a gorgeous, glossy chocolate layer over every cookie.
Variations
Personalizing Buckeye Brownie Cookies is half the fun! Try swapping, adding, or tweaking to suit allergies, dietary needs, or even your favorite holiday flavors—the options are endless.
- Gluten-free: Use your favorite gluten-free brownie mix to make these cookies celiac-friendly without sacrificing taste.
- Crunchy peanut butter: Swap in crunchy peanut butter for extra texture in every bite.
- Different nut butters: Almond or sunflower seed butter can replace peanut butter for a different flavor profile (and to avoid allergies).
- Decorative toppings: Add festive sprinkles, a pinch of sea salt, or chopped nuts on top before the chocolate sets for a dressed-up look.
How to Make Buckeye Brownie Cookies
Step 1: Make the Brownie Cookie Dough
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get things toasty. In a bowl, beat together the brownie mix, melted butter, softened cream cheese, and egg until you have a thick, sticky dough. The cream cheese makes it smooth and more scoopable—the dough might be tacky, but that’s exactly what you want for a fudgy cookie!
Step 2: Portion and Shape the Cookies
Drop spoonfuls of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet, aiming for about 24 evenly sized cookies. Gently smooth the edges with your fingers or the back of a spoon so you get pretty, round shapes as they bake.
Step 3: Prepare the Peanut Butter Centers
In a separate bowl, mix powdered sugar and creamy peanut butter until the mixture is thick and smooth. Roll into 1-inch balls—one for each cookie—and keep them ready for the magic moment right out of the oven.
Step 4: Bake, Fill, and Cool
Bake the cookie dough rounds for about 12 minutes, just until set but still fudgy. The moment they come out of the oven, gently press a peanut butter ball into the center of each cookie. The warmth softens the center perfectly! Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to finish cooling.
Step 5: Top with Chocolate
Once the cookies are cool, melt your chocolate chips in the microwave (30 seconds, then stir, 15 seconds more until smooth). Spoon about half a tablespoon of melted chocolate over each peanut butter center and gently spread to cover. Allow the chocolate to set before devouring—or storing—your Buckeye Brownie Cookies!
Pro Tips for Making Buckeye Brownie Cookies
- Dough Consistency: Don’t worry if your dough feels sticky—chilling it for 10–15 minutes makes it easier to scoop and handle.
- Even-Sized Peanut Butter Balls: Use a small cookie scoop or teaspoon to portion the filling, so each cookie bakes and sets the same way.
- Watch the Bake Time: Pull cookies out just as they set for the chewiest, fudgiest centers (every oven is a little different, so keep an eye out at 10 minutes).
- Chocolate Topping Perfection: Let cookies cool completely before adding melted chocolate for that pretty, glossy finish with zero smudges.
How to Serve Buckeye Brownie Cookies
Garnishes
If you want to make your Buckeye Brownie Cookies extra eye-catching, try a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, a drizzle of contrasting white chocolate, or a pinch of festive sprinkles right on the still-warm chocolate layer. Not only do they look bakery-fancy, but these tiny touches add a pop of flavor or color for every occasion!
Side Dishes
While these cookies are perfectly delicious on their own, they’re also amazing alongside a scoop of vanilla or peanut butter ice cream, a mug of hot chocolate, or a big glass of cold milk. Buckeye Brownie Cookies are especially welcome at holiday dessert tables or paired with fruit for a sweet-and-salty treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your cookies high on a vintage cake pedestal for a rustic party vibe, or package a few in clear cellophane bags with a ribbon for charming edible gifts. You can even arrange them on a cookie tray in concentric circles for a dazzling dessert centerpiece—these Buckeye Brownie Cookies always steal the spotlight!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Buckeye Brownie Cookies keep beautifully! Place cooled cookies in a single layer (or between parchment if stacking) in an airtight container, and they’ll stay tender and delicious for up to 4 days at room temperature—though they rarely last that long in my house.
Freezing
Want to bake ahead for a party or holiday? After the chocolate has fully set, freeze cookies in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw on the counter—no one will ever know they weren’t freshly baked that day!
Reheating
If you long for that just-baked magic, pop a cookie into the microwave for 10–12 seconds. The chocolate softens, the peanut butter gets perfectly creamy, and you’re instantly transported back to oven-fresh cookies.
FAQs
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Can I use homemade brownie batter instead of a box mix?
Absolutely! Use your favorite homemade fudgy brownie recipe, but keep the amount to about 19.5 ounces of batter (before baking), and be prepared that your dough may be a tad stickier or softer. Chilling helps make homemade dough easier to handle for Buckeye Brownie Cookies.
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My dough is very sticky—any tips?
That’s completely normal due to the cream cheese and brownie mix! If it’s too sticky to scoop, just chill the dough in the fridge for about 10–20 minutes and it will be much easier to work with.
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Can I use chunky peanut butter in the center?
Of course! Chunky peanut butter adds a delightful crunch to the filling—just make sure you mix well with the powdered sugar to keep it rollable.
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Do Buckeye Brownie Cookies need to be refrigerated?
No need for refrigeration if you’ll eat them within a few days, but if your kitchen is especially warm or you’re keeping them longer than four days, tucking them in the fridge keeps them fresher.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a treat that truly delivers on chocolate-and-peanut-butter dreams, I can’t recommend these Buckeye Brownie Cookies enough. They’re fun, impressive, and just so delicious—bake a batch and see how quickly smiles (and cookies!) disappear. Happy baking, friends!
Print
Buckeye Brownie Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Buckeye Brownie Cookies combine the best of both worlds – fudgy brownies and creamy peanut butter buckeyes – into one irresistible treat.
Ingredients
Brownie Cookie Dough:
- 1 box fudge brownie mix (19.5 ounce or family size)
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg
Peanut Butter Filling:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
Chocolate Topping:
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare Brownie Cookie Dough: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, mix the brownie mix, melted butter, softened cream cheese, and egg until combined and slightly sticky. Form into 24 cookie rounds on an ungreased sheet.
- Make Peanut Butter Filling: Combine powdered sugar and peanut butter, then shape into 1-inch balls. Set aside.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookie dough for 12 minutes, checking for doneness. Press a peanut butter ball into each cookie after baking.
- Add Chocolate Topping: Melt chocolate, spoon over each cookie, covering the peanut butter ball. Let set before storing.
Notes
- You can chill the peanut butter balls before pressing them into the cookies for easier handling.
- Store these cookies in a cool place to prevent the chocolate from melting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
