Buckeye Brownies

 Buckeye Brownies

Everyone has their favorite combination….mine happens to be chocolate and peanut butter.  I cannot walk past a Reese's Cup without buying it.  And my second favorite would be Buckeyes!  Chocolate and peanut butter is my comfort food….my-down-in-the-dumps-pick-me-up-food. My hide in the closet for emergency food.   So, needless to say, out of all the brownies I make, these are my favorite!

Buckeye Brownies

⅓ cup cocoa powder

½ cup + 2 tablespoons boiling water

2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped

6 tablespoons butter, melted

½ cup vegetable oil

3 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2½ cups sugar

1¾ cups all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon salt

Peanut Butter Filling

¾ cup creamy peanut butter

½ cup butter

2¼ cups powdered sugar

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Glaze

1½ cups milk chocolate chips

⅓ cup creamy peanut butter 

Adjust oven rack to the middle and heat oven to 350 degrees. 

Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with foil, leaving about a 2 inch overhang on all sides. Spray with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. 

In a large bowl whisk the cocoa powder and boiling water together until smooth. Add the bittersweet chocolate chips and let them sit for 2 minutes, and then whisk until melted. Whisk in the melted butter, vegetable oil, eggs and vanilla until well blended. Add the sugar until incorporated. Add the flour and salt and whisk until combined.

Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs attached. Transfer to a wire rack until fully cooled, about 1½ hours.

Filling

Using a mixture, beat the peanut butter, butter and salt on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the powdered sugar a little at a time and mix until combined. Add the milk and vanilla and beat on medium-high until completely smooth and creamy. If the mixture seems too dry or thick to spread, add milk in ½ tablespoon increments until you reach a spreadable consistency. Spread the mixture evenly over the cooled brownies.

Glaze

In a small, heat-proof bowl melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter in the microwave on 50% power for 1 minute. Mix and continue to melt on 50% power for 30 seconds. Mix and repeat until melted and completely smooth. Pour over the peanut butter layer and spread evenly. Chill for at least 1 hour.  Use the overhang to lift the brownies out of the pan. Slice into 24 squares and serve. 

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