If you love the taste of chocolate and peanut butter, you are going to love this Buckeye Brownie Bites recipe. Individual, bite size brownies topped with a sweetened peanut butter ball.
Then to make it even more delicious, melted chocolate is drizzled on top. This combination ensures that every bite will be filled with the classic duo of chocolate and peanut butter.
It is an easy dessert recipe that yields 36 tasty treats. Which makes it the perfect dessert to make when you are heading to a party, potluck or when you are feeding a crowd at your next tailgate gathering.
Another reason why I love this recipe is that it only requires a few ingredients and is made in only 30 minutes! That is of course thanks to a box of brownie mix.
Using this shortcut will allow you to get the brownies in the oven in a matter of minutes. Then all that is left to do is add the peanut butter ball and drizzle chocolate on top.
Ingredients Required
1. Brownie Mix:
To keep this Buckeye Brownie Bites recipe easy, use an 18.4 ounce box of brownie mix. Although I used milk chocolate brownie mix, you could use any variety that you prefer. Two other common choices are fudge and dark chocolate brownie mix.
2. Ingredients Needed To Prepare The Brownies:
Because each brand and variety of brownie mix are different, I couldn’t list out the exact ingredients that you will need to make the brownies. However, simply use the list of ingredients on the back of the box.
These ingredients most often include water, vegetable oil and eggs. Although, just like when making Blueberry Zucchini Muffins you can substitute all-natural applesauce for the oil if you prefer.
3. Creamy Peanut Butter
Although these brownie bites won’t be topped with traditional Buckeyes, they will be topped with a similar peanut butter ball. Therefore, you will need creamy peanut butter.
Unfortunately, all-natural peanut butter is not the best choice here. Instead, use traditional, store-bought creamy peanut butter that you used as a kid to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
4. Powdered Sugar
Powdered sugar (Confectioner’s sugar) is used to help bind the peanut butter balls so that they retain their shape. A mixture of 1:1 powdered sugar to peanut butter allows the balls to easily form and be placed on top of the brownie bites.
5. Chocolate Chips
Semi-sweet chocolate chips is what is used to melt down chocolate so that it can be drizzled on top. Although the chocolate topping is optional, it adds another layer of chocolate that is simply irresistible.
6. Vegetable Oil
In order for the melted chocolate to have a silky texture, a little vegetable oil is added. Adding oil to the melted chocolate creates a smooth, glossy finish and allows the chocolate to easily be drizzled on top.
Equipment Required For Buckeye Brownie Bites
1. Mini Muffin Pan(s)
To make bite size brownies you need mini muffin pans. These little cups are the perfect size for small, bite size desserts.
One box of standard brownie mix will make 36 mini muffins. However most mini muffin pans have 24 cups.
Therefore, you would either need 2 mini muffin pans or make them two batches. Although I sometimes go ahead an make only 24 and use the remaining brownie batter to make a small loaf of brownies in my mini loaf pan.
I can cook both at the same time and have two delicious desserts!
2. Mixing Bowls
You will need three different mixing bowls to make Buckeye Brownie Bites. The first one is for making the brownie mix.
Then you will need another bowl to combine the peanut butter and powdered sugar.
Finally you will need a smaller bowl for melting the chocolate. You can easily do this in the microwave, however you could use a double boiler if you prefer.
3. Cookie Scoop
Use a small cookie scoop to portion out the brownie batter in the pan. You can also use it to evenly portion out the peanut butter mixture to make the peanut butter balls.
Although if you don’t a small cookie scoop a simple tablespoon or teaspoon will work as well.
4. Silicone Spatula(s)
Use a stiff silicone spatula to mix your ingredients until well combined.
5. Resealable Plastic Bag
In order to drizzle the chocolate on top of the Buckeye Brownie Bites it is best to use a resealable plastic bag and pipe it on top of the brownie bites. I have tried to drizzle it with a knife and spoon and it just simply doesn’t work out well.
Therefore, place the melted chocolate in the corner of a small sandwich bag. Then gather it in one corner and then cut the tip off the bag to pipe the chocolate over the peanut butter ball.
6. Cooling Rack
Once the brownies are set it is best to let them cool completely on a cooling rack. This will prevent the bottoms from becoming soggy.
Now that you have the ingredients and know what equipment that you need, it is time to make this delicious chocolate and peanut butter dessert!
Buckeye Brownie Bites Recipe
*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 box Brownie Mix (18.4 oz box)
- *Ingredients needed to prepare the brownies based on the box instructions (water, vegetable oil, eggs)
- 3/4 cup Powdered Sugar
- 3/4 cup Creamy Peanut Butter, not all-natural
- 1/2 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1 teaspoon Vegetable Oil
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and spray 2 mini-muffin pans (you will need 36 mini muffin holes) with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
In a small mixing bowl, add the peanut butter and powdered sugar and stir with a stiff silicone spatula until well combined. Use 1 teaspoon and roll into 36 balls.
Slightly flatten the balls to form a disc and place on a silicone baking mat or parchment paper lined wire rack, platter or baking rack. Place the peanut butter balls in the freezer while you prepare the brownie bites.
Prepare the brownie mix based on the package instructions. Then fill each mini muffin cup ¾ full of brownie batter.
Place the mini muffin tins in the preheated oven and bake for 18-21 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centrally located brownie bites comes out clean. Remove the pan from the oven and immediately press a chilled peanut butter ball into the top of each brownie.
Then allow the brownie bites to cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Use a plastic knife to loosen the edges of the brownie bites from the pan and place on a wire rack to cool completely.
Drizzle Chocolate On Top
Once the brownie bites are completely cool prepare the chocolate topping. Add the chocolate chips and oil to a small microwaveable bowl. Heat for 40 seconds, stir and heat at intervals of 15 seconds, stirring between each one until the chocolate is fully melted.
Place the chocolate in a plastic baggie, squeezing the chocolate to one corner. Cut off the tip of the bag and drizzle the chocolate over the Buckeye Brownie Bites. Allow the chocolate to fully set before storing.
Store in an air-tight container at room temperature for 4-5 days or in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Enjoy! Mary
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Buckeye Brownie Bites
Mini muffin size brownies topped with peanut butter balls and drizzled with chocolate for the perfect bite size dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 box Brownie Mix (18.4 oz box)
- *Ingredients needed to prepare the brownies based on the box instructions (water, vegetable oil, eggs)
- 3/4 cup Powdered Sugar
- 3/4 cup Creamy Peanut Butter, not all-natural
- 1/2 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1 teaspoon Vegetable Oil