Buckeye Brownies
Fudgy gluten-free, dairy-free brownies layered with a peanut butter filling and topped with chocolate ganache — everything great about buckeyes, in bar form.
- Prep Time
- 25 min
- Cook Time
- 45 min
- Total Time
- 1 hr 10 min
- Servings
- 24 bars
The first time I made buckeyes, I was hooked instantly — my family is a bunch of peanut-butter-loving fanatics, so these quickly rocketed to the top of our favorite treats list. I also happen to love brownies, and I'd normally throw a bag of peanut butter chips into the batter, but dairy-free peanut butter chips just don't exist as far as I can find.
So instead of missing out, I improvised: a fudgy dairy-free brownie base, a thick peanut butter layer, and a chocolate ganache on top. What peanut butter chips? I don't need them anymore.
Fair warning — this is the kind of treat where "just one bite" does not apply. I've tried, and failed, more than once.
Ingredients
For the Brownie Layer
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa
- 1/2 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup dairy-free butter, melted
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2/3 cup non-dairy milk (my favorite is oat milk)
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
For the Peanut Butter Layer
- 1/2 cup dairy-free butter, softened
- 1 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups confectioners sugar
For the Chocolate Ganache
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 cup non-dairy chocolate chips (my favorite brand is Enjoy Life)
Instructions
- 1Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Add the liquid ingredients and stir until the batter is moist.
- 2Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over the sides, and spray with cooking spray. Press the batter into an even layer in the pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with just a small amount of fudge on it. Cool completely in the pan on a rack.
- 3For the peanut butter layer, beat the butter and peanut butter together for about 1 minute, then add the confectioners sugar and beat for another minute until well blended. Spread in an even layer over the cooled brownies.
- 4For the ganache, combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe dish and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until melted and smooth. Spread over the peanut butter layer.
- 5Refrigerate until set before cutting into squares.
Storage & Reheating
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or wrap individual squares and freeze for up to 6 months — just pull them out to thaw when a craving hits.
Love this recipe? You'll love Chef Erin's Freezer Pleasers
Over 90 make-ahead recipes that freeze beautifully — breakfast, chicken, beef, pork, seafood, soups, sides, and freezer-friendly desserts, built for batch cooking, meal trains, and stress-free weeknights.
