Crumbl Copycat Buckeye Brownie Cookies are rich, decadent, triple-layered treats inspired by classic peanut butter buckeye candy. Each one starts with a thick, fudgy brownie base, topped with creamy peanut butter frosting and finished with a smooth layer of chocolate ganache – perfect for any chocolate and peanut butter lover!
These oversized cookies taste like a cross between a brownie and a buckeye truffle — and they’re way easier to make than they look. Perfect for holidays, parties, or anytime you want to recreate that Crumbl magic at home.
RECIPE HIGHLIGHTS
- Three layers of indulgence – Fudgy brownie cookie, whipped peanut butter filling, and silky ganache all in one bite. Each layer adds its own rich flavor and texture, making every bite feel like a mini dessert experience.
- Perfect Crumbl dupe – Thick, rich, bakery-sized cookies made right at home. The flavor is spot-on, but you get to control the ingredients and skip the $5-per-cookie price tag.
- Great make-ahead treat – Make the cookies one day and assemble the next. You can even freeze the components separately and assemble later for a last-minute dessert win.
- Chocolate + peanut butter heaven – If you love Reese’s, this combo will hit all the right notes. Sweet, salty, melty, chewy — all the textures you want in a cookie.
- Freezer-friendly – These freeze beautifully fully assembled. They’re great to pull out one at a time when you need a sweet fix.
Ingredients in Crumbl Copycat Buckeye Brownie Cookies
These cookies are made with three simple components that come together to create a bakery-worthy treat:
Brownie Cookie Base
- Butter: Melted butter gives the cookies a rich, chewy texture and deep flavor, similar to a brownie.
- Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of molasses flavor, helping to create a soft and chewy cookie.
- Granulated Sugar: Balances the sweetness and helps with structure and crispness around the edges.
- Eggs: Provide structure and moisture, giving the cookies a soft, tender center.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the other flavors with warm, sweet undertones.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base of the dough that gives the cookies their shape and structure.
- Cocoa Powder: Adds rich chocolate flavor; use unsweetened cocoa powder for best results.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the depth of chocolate and peanut butter flavors.
- Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and creates a soft, spreadable dough.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Add melty chocolate pockets throughout the cookie for extra indulgence.
Peanut Butter Filling
- Butter (softened): Adds creaminess and richness to the filling.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: The star of the filling; provides bold peanut flavor and a smooth, spreadable consistency. Use a no-stir brand for best results.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the filling and creates a thick, frosting-like texture that sets nicely.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and enhances the peanut butter flavor.
Chocolate Ganache
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Melt into a rich, glossy topping; semi-sweet provides the perfect balance to the sweet filling.
- Heavy Cream: Creates a smooth, shiny ganache that sets with a soft bite; it also helps keep the chocolate pourable when melted.
Tips for Perfect Cookies
Full instructions for making Copycat Crumbl Buckeye Brownie Cookies can be found on the recipe card below, but here are a few helpful tips.
- Use room temperature ingredients: Let your eggs and butter (for the peanut butter filling) come to room temperature before baking. This helps them incorporate smoothly into the dough and filling, giving your cookies the best texture and consistency in every layer.
- Scoop the dough tall, not wide: When portioning out the cookie dough, use a large cookie scoop or shape tall mounds with spoons. Taller dough mounds help the cookies bake thick and chewy, instead of spreading too flat. You’re aiming for that classic bakery-style thickness!
- Don’t overbake the cookies: These cookies should be just set around the edges and still look slightly soft in the center when you take them out of the oven. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool. Overbaking will dry out the brownie base and remove that rich, fudgy texture.
- Cool completely before assembling: It might be tempting to start layering right away, but if the cookies are even a little warm, the peanut butter filling and ganache will melt and slide right off. Wait until they’re completely cool to the touch for clean, stackable layers.
- Chill after assembly for best results: After spreading the peanut butter and ganache, let the cookies chill in the fridge for about 15–20 minutes. This sets the layers and makes them easier to store, stack, and transport without smudging or smearing the toppings.
Storage Tips
- Room Temperature: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking or smudging the ganache.
- Refrigerator: Store in the fridge for up to 1 week. The ganache will firm up, so let cookies sit out for 10–15 minutes before serving to soften.
- Freezer: Freeze fully assembled cookies for up to 2 months, layering with parchment. You can also freeze just the cookie bases and add the toppings fresh for best texture.
- Thawing Tip: Let frozen cookies sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or microwave for 10 seconds to soften the ganache slightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use natural peanut butter in the filling?
It’s not recommended. Natural peanut butter tends to be too oily and runny, which makes the filling too loose to spread and can cause it to slide off the cookie. Stick with a no-stir, creamy peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) for the best consistency and flavor.
Why are my cookies spreading too much?
If your cookies are spreading too thin in the oven, it could be because your butter was too hot when mixing or your dough was too soft. Let your melted butter cool for a few minutes before combining it with the sugars, and if needed, chill the dough for 20–30 minutes before baking.
My cookies turned out dry — what happened?
Overbaking is usually the culprit. These cookies should still look soft in the center when you pull them from the oven. They’ll firm up as they cool. Also, double-check your flour measurements — using too much (especially if scooped directly from the bag) can lead to a drier texture. Spoon and level your flour or weigh it for accuracy.
Can I use Dutch-process cocoa instead of regular?
Yes, but it may slightly change the flavor and texture. Dutch-process cocoa is smoother and less acidic, which can lead to a deeper chocolate flavor. Just make sure your baking soda is still active, as the chemical reaction can be slightly different than with natural cocoa powder.
How long does the ganache take to set?
At room temperature, the ganache typically sets in about 1–2 hours, depending on the temperature of your kitchen. To speed things up, you can refrigerate the cookies for 15–20 minutes after assembling. Just don’t store them too long in the fridge uncovered — the ganache can become too firm and lose its glossy finish.
Can I make these gluten-free?
You can try using a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Just make sure it includes xanthan gum or another binder for structure. Texture may vary slightly, but many people have success with this swap.
More delicious chocolate and peanut butter cookie recipes:
- With rich peanut butter flavor and buttery soft texture, Peanut Butter Sugar Cookies are topped with a thick swirl of homemade chocolate frosting for an indulgent, irresistible treat.
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies come together in minutes with pantry staples, creating a soft, chewy, no-fuss cookie packed with peanut butter and melty chocolate chips.
- Soft, chewy, and made with just a few ingredients, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookies taste like peanut butter cups in cookie form — fast, fun, and foolproof.
- If you love Reese’s, you’ll love Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies, filled with chunks of candy, chocolatey richness, and soft, chewy peanut butter goodness in every bite.
- Filled with a gooey peanut butter center, Buckeye Cookies are thick, chewy chocolate cookies that look impressive but are surprisingly easy to make.
Whether you’re a Crumbl cookie fanatic or just love the combo of chocolate and peanut butter, these Copycat Crumbl Buckeye Brownie Cookies are guaranteed to steal the show.
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