Buckeye Brownie Bites Recipe 🥜🍫✨

If you’ve ever wished a brownie and a peanut butter cup could merge into one perfect, poppable treat, Buckeye Brownie Bites are exactly that dream come true. These little bites have it all: a fudgy brownie base, a soft, sweet peanut butter center, and a silky chocolate drizzle over the top. They look adorable on a dessert tray, but they taste dangerously addictive — the kind of thing people grab “just one more” of until the plate is mysteriously empty. 😏

Inspired by classic Buckeye candies (those peanut butter balls partially dipped in chocolate), this version bakes the peanut butter right into mini brownie cups, then finishes them with a glossy drizzle for full bakery-level energy. They’re perfect for holidays, parties, potlucks, gifting, or “just because I felt like baking something amazing today.”

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What Are Buckeye Brownie Bites? 🥜🦬

Traditional Buckeyes are peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate so they look like the nut of the Ohio buckeye tree. Here, that same chocolate–peanut butter combo is transformed into:

• A mini brownie base: soft, fudgy, and rich
• A peanut butter ball center: creamy, sweet, and slightly firm
• A chocolate drizzle topping: pretty, glossy, and just the right finishing touch

Everything is bite-sized, baked in mini muffin pans, so each piece is like a tiny, two-bite dessert bomb. They’re easy to serve and share — no cutting, no crumbs everywhere, just grab and enjoy.

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Flavor & Texture: Why These Are So Addictive 😍

Every bite will give you:

• Rich chocolate from the cocoa-based brownie and drizzle
• Creamy peanut butter that’s sweet but not overwhelming
• Soft, fudgy centers with a tender crumb
• Slight chew around the edges from the brownie bites
• A little melt-in-your-mouth finish from the chocolate drizzle

It’s that classic chocolate + peanut butter combo that pretty much never misses. These bites taste like something you’d buy from a fancy bakery counter, but they’re surprisingly straightforward to make at home.

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Ingredient Breakdown 🧺

Peanut Butter Layer 🥜

• ½ cup peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• ¾ cup powdered sugar

This is your Buckeye-style peanut butter filling. The powdered sugar sweetens and stiffens the mixture, the butter adds richness and smoothness, and the peanut butter brings all the flavor.

You’ll beat these together until smooth, then roll the mixture into small balls (about 3/4-inch) that sit on top of each brownie bite.

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Brownie Bites 🍫

• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup cocoa powder
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder

This is a simple, classic-style brownie batter made with oil instead of butter. That keeps the texture moist and slightly chewy — perfect for mini muffin brownies.

• Sugar + eggs give structure and sweetness.
• Cocoa powder is the main chocolate flavor.
• Flour + a touch of baking powder provide just enough lift to bake into neat little bites.
• Salt + vanilla bring balance and warmth.

You’ll fill mini muffin cups about 2/3 full to leave room for them to puff slightly and still hold the peanut butter ball on top.

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Chocolate Drizzle 🍫✨

• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon corn syrup or honey
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tablespoons milk or cream

This creates a smooth, pourable chocolate drizzle:

• The butter and cocoa form a rich chocolate base.
• Corn syrup or honey adds shine and a touch of thickness.
• Powdered sugar sweetens and smooths.
• Milk or cream thins it to the perfect drizzling consistency.

Once the brownie bites are cool, you’ll zig-zag this mixture over the tops for that polished, irresistible look.

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Step-by-Step: How to Make Buckeye Brownie Bites 👩‍🍳

1. Prepare the Peanut Butter Balls 🥜

Prepare Peanut Butter Balls: In a bowl, beat together peanut butter, butter, and powdered sugar until smooth. Adjust consistency as needed. Roll the mixture into 3/4-inch balls and set aside.

Start by making the filling so it’s ready as soon as the brownies come out of the oven.

• In a mixing bowl, combine:
  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons softened butter
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar
• Beat until the mixture is smooth, thick, and easy to roll.
  • If it’s too sticky, you can add a tiny bit more powdered sugar.
  • If it’s too dry and crumbly, you can add a small spoonful of peanut butter.

Once the consistency is right, roll the mixture into small balls about 3/4-inch in diameter. Place them on a plate or tray.

You’ll want about 36 balls total for 36 mini brownie bites. You can pop them in the fridge while you make the brownie batter so they firm up slightly and are easier to handle.

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2. Make the Brownie Batter & Fill the Pans 🧁

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease three mini muffin pans. In another bowl, whisk together oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Gradually mix in cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full with the batter.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Grease three mini muffin pans well (or around 36 mini muffin cavities total). You can also lightly flour them or use nonstick spray to make removal easier.

In a new bowl:

1. Whisk together:
   • ½ cup vegetable oil
   • 1 cup granulated sugar
   • 2 eggs
   • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
   Mix until smooth and well combined.
2. Add the dry ingredients:
   • ⅓ cup cocoa powder
   • ½ cup all-purpose flour
   • ¼ teaspoon salt
   • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
   Stir gently until just combined — don’t overmix. You want a thick, smooth batter.
3. Spoon the batter into the prepared mini muffin cups, filling each cavity about 2/3 full. This gives the brownies room to rise without overflowing, while still being thick enough to press in the peanut butter balls later.

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3. Bake and Add the Peanut Butter Centers 🍫 + 🥜

Place in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs when done. Press a peanut butter ball into each brownie bite immediately after removing from oven. Allow to cool in the pan before transferring to a cooling rack.

• Bake the brownie bites for 15–20 minutes, depending on your oven.
• Check them by inserting a toothpick into the edge or center:
  • You want a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.
  • If it comes out completely dry, they may be slightly overbaked and less fudgy, so aim for that “just done” stage.

As soon as you pull the pan from the oven:

• While the brownies are still hot and soft on top, gently press one peanut butter ball into the center of each brownie bite.
• The heat will warm and slightly soften the peanut butter ball, helping it nestle into the brownie.

Let the brownie bites cool in the pan for a bit before removing them — this helps them set and keeps the shape neat. Once they’re firmer, you can carefully loosen the edges with a butter knife (if needed) and transfer them to a cooling rack to cool fully.

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4. Make the Chocolate Drizzle 🍫✨

Combine melted butter, additional cocoa powder, corn syrup, powdered sugar, and milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 20 seconds, then stir. Drizzle over the cooled brownie bites.

In a microwave-safe bowl:

1. Combine:
   • 3 tablespoons melted butter
   • 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
   • 1 tablespoon corn syrup or honey
   • ½ cup powdered sugar
   • 1–2 tablespoons milk or cream
2. Stir everything together until mostly smooth.
3. Microwave for about 20 seconds, then stir again.
   • The warmth helps dissolve the sugar and cocoa and makes the mixture glossy.
   • If it seems too thick, add a tiny splash more milk.
   • If it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.

You’re aiming for a pourable but not runny drizzle.

Once the brownie bites are completely cool:

• Use a spoon, piping bag, or a small baggie with the corner snipped off to drizzle the chocolate over the tops of each brownie bite in thin lines or swirls.
• Let the drizzle set at room temperature until slightly firm.

Now they look like something straight from a gourmet bakery case. 😍

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Serving, Storing & Gifting 🎁

These Buckeye Brownie Bites are perfect for:

• Holiday cookie platters 🎄
• Birthday parties 🎉
• Game nights 🏈
• Office treats
• Bake sales

They’re small but rich, so one or two bites is often enough… in theory.

Storage:

• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• For a fudgier texture and firmer peanut butter center, refrigerate them and serve slightly chilled.

Gifting idea:

• Arrange brownie bites in a pretty box or tin with mini cupcake liners, and you’ve got an instant homemade gift that looks as good as it tastes.

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