Buckeye Brownie Cookies: The Ultimate Cookie Recipe
Prepare to be amazed by Buckeye Brownie Cookies, a delightful treat that combines the rich, fudgy goodness of a brownie with the classic peanut butter and chocolate flavors of buckeye candy. This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and will quickly become a family favorite.
The Inspiration Behind These Buckeye Brownie Cookies
As a passionate baker, I’m always looking for new and exciting flavor combinations. My fascination with buckeye flavors began with Buckeye Graham Crackers. Their delightful taste and simplicity inspired me to explore more buckeye-inspired recipes.
This exploration led me to perfect a classic buckeye candy recipe. It was only a matter of time before I started wondering how those perfect buckeyes would taste on top of a brownie cookie. The result? These incredible Buckeye Brownie Cookies!
These cookies are similar to my Buckeye Brownies and you will really enjoy these cookies.
Essential Ingredients for Buckeye Brownie Cookies
To create these delectable Buckeye Brownie Cookies, you’ll need the following key ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
| Ingredient | Helpful Tip |
|---|---|
| Cream Cheese & Butter | Ensure both are fully softened for a smooth cookie dough. Use full-fat, brick-style cream cheese for the best results. |
| Brownie Mix & Pudding Mix | Use the exact sizes specified in the recipe to ensure the dough forms correctly. Betty Crocker’s Supreme Triple Chunk brownie mix works exceptionally well. |
| Egg & Vanilla | These ingredients bind the dough together and enhance the overall flavor profile. |
| Mini Chocolate Chips | Mini chocolate chips are ideal, but regular-sized chips can also be used. |
| Peanut Butter Filling & Chocolate Topping | Chill the cookies before adding these toppings to help the peanut butter maintain its shape and the chocolate set properly. |
Step-by-Step Guide: Making Buckeye Brownie Cookies
Follow these easy steps to create your own batch of Buckeye Brownie Cookies. With a little patience and attention to detail, you’ll be enjoying these treats in no time!
- Prepare the Dough: Cream together softened cream cheese and butter. Add the egg, vanilla, pudding mix, and brownie mix. Mix until a thick dough forms.
- Chill: Stir in the chocolate chips and chill the dough for 20-30 minutes. This step is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Shape & Bake: Roll the chilled dough into 2-tablespoon balls. Flatten each ball into a thick disc and bake until just set.
- Make the Filling: Combine the peanut butter filling ingredients until smooth. Roll the mixture into small balls and gently flatten them into discs.
- Assemble: Once the cookies have cooled, place a peanut butter disc on top of each one. Melt the chocolate topping and dip the cookies or spoon the chocolate over the peanut butter centers.
Tips for Storing Buckeye Brownie Cookies
Proper storage is essential to maintain the freshness and flavor of your Buckeye Brownie Cookies. Here are some helpful tips:
- Freezing Dough: Scoop the dough into balls, freeze them on a sheet pan until firm, and then transfer them to a freezer bag. You can bake the dough directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if needed.
- Assembled Cookies: Assembled cookies, topped with peanut butter and chocolate, are best consumed within 2 days for optimal flavor and texture.
- Plain Cookie Base: Baked cookies without the peanut butter and chocolate toppings can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Avoid Long-Term Storage: Assembled cookies do not store or freeze well long term, so it is best to add the toppings right before serving to achieve the best flavor.
Explore More Cookie Recipes
If you enjoy baking cookies, here are some other fun and exciting cookie recipes to try:
- Almond Joy Cookies
- Cinnamon Roll Cookies
- Circus Animal Cookies
- Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies
Buckeye Brownie Cookies Recipe
Buckeye Brownie Cookies Recipe
By: Chelsea Lords
Indulge in the perfect blend of fudgy brownie and classic buckeye candy with these irresistible Buckeye Brownie Cookies.
Prep Time:
Cook Time:
Chilling Time:
Total Time:
Servings: 22 cookies
Ingredients:
Cookie:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, full-fat, brick-style, softened to room temperature
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (3.9-ounce) package instant chocolate fudge pudding mix, use it dry (do not prepare)
- 1 (18-ounce) package brownie mix
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
Peanut Butter Filling:
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1-1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Topping:
- 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
- 1-1/2 teaspoons coconut oil
Instructions:
- Line a large sheet pan with a silicone liner and set aside. Bring the cream cheese and butter to room temperature.
- In a large bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until completely smooth. Add in the egg and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy.
- Add the dry pudding mix and brownie mix. Beat to combine until a thick dough forms.
- Stir in the chocolate chips. Cover the dough tightly and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes.
- Measure each dough ball to be 2 tablespoons of dough. Roll it into a ball. Shape dough balls into wide, thick discs. Place 6–8 cookies on the prepared cookie sheet, giving cookies ample room.
- Bake each batch for 10–14 minutes. Slightly underbaking these cookies gives them a chewy taste and texture like ultra fudge-y brownies, so err on the side of slightly under-baking. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes on sheet pan before gently transferring to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
- In a large bowl, using electric hand mixers, mix peanut butter, softened butter, powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla until smooth. Roll the mixture into equal sized balls, making as many balls as you have baked cookies. Place one ball on each completely cooled cookie. Gently press to flatten the filling onto the cookie. Smooth the top with your finger so chocolate goes on nicely.
- In a microwave safe bowl, heat the chocolate chips and coconut oil in 20 second bursts, stirring between each for 20 full seconds, until melted and smooth. Carefully dip each cookie into the chocolate, lifting gently and tapping to spread it out. If the peanut butter topping starts to slip off, use a spoon to lightly pour the melted chocolate over the top instead. Aim to just cover the peanut butter filling so a little of the filling still shows.
Nutrition Information (approximations):
Serving: 1 serving |
Calories: 326 kcal |
Carbohydrates: 39 g |
Protein: 5 g |
Fat: 18 g |
Cholesterol: 10 mg |
Sodium: 195 mg |
Fiber: 2 g |
Sugar: 30 g |
Iron: 1 mg
Recipe Notes
Important: It is very important you get the right-sized brownie mix (18 ounces). Otherwise, these cookies won’t turn out right! I tested many brownie mixes, and the one called for in the recipe was by far my favorite.
Storage: Store plain baked cookies at room temperature for up to 3 days. Freeze unbaked dough up to 3 months; bake from frozen. Assembled cookies (with peanut butter and chocolate) are best within 2 days and don’t freeze well.
Essential Tips for Perfect Buckeye Brownie Cookies
- Keep Your Hands Cold: Rolling the dough with cold hands will prevent it from becoming too sticky and ensure it stays firm.
- Use a Food Scale: If possible, use a food scale to weigh the dough for each cookie. Consistent weights help the cookies bake evenly and look uniform.
- Cool Completely: Always let the cookies cool completely before adding the peanut butter topping to prevent it from melting.
- Flatten the Tops: Gently flatten the peanut butter topping so that the chocolate goes on smoothly.
- Warm Chocolate Gently: When melting the chocolate, microwave it in short bursts and stir frequently to prevent burning. If the chocolate starts to thicken, microwave it for a few extra seconds.
- Chill to Set: Refrigerate the finished cookies briefly to allow the chocolate to set properly.