No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Buckeye Cookies
Get ready for the most decadent cookie you’ll ever meet. These no-bake chocolate peanut butter buckeye cookies are incredible (and easy)!
It was about time the humble no-bake cookie leveled up to new heights of gloriousness.
This buckeye version (basically meaning just two additional layers of peanut butter and chocolate) is so rich and so delicious!
No-Bake Cookies
Classic no-bake cookies are a staple of my childhood. And they make up the base of these layered buckeye cookies.
To make my version of no-bake cookies, bring the following ingredients to a boil:
- butter
- granulated sugar + brown sugar
- milk
- cocoa powder
- salt
After the mixture simmers for a minute or two, stir in:
- peanut butter
- vanilla
- quick oats (don’t use old-fashioned or steel cut oats)
I’m guessing this delectable no-bake cookie batter is going to give some of you major nostalgia.
Shaping the Cookies
Scoop about three tablespoons of no-bake cookie batter for each cookie out onto parchment lined baking sheets and press the cookies into a round-ish shape.
Then using the back of a spoon or other device of your choice, make a little divot in the center of each mound so the cookies resemble cute little chocolate nests.
Peanut Butter Frosting
While the cookies set up and cool, make the peanut butter frosting/filling.
It’s ULTRA simple. Butter, peanut butter, powdered sugar, salt and vanilla.
And it’s ethereally creamy and fluffy. If you’re me, channel this advice: try not to snitch even the smallest of tastes or else you won’t be able to stop and the overall quantity might be compromised.
Cookie Layers
Whip up the ganache by pouring simmered cream over chocolate chips, letting them sit until melted and then stirring until glossy and smooth. Let this mixture cool until room temperature.
Dollop a spoonful of peanut butter frosting into the center of each cookie.
Top with a dollop of ganache.
Spread it nice and swirly or leave it rustic and dabbled. Your choice. 🙂
Chill the cookies until the ganache is set. I mean, no judging from this corner if you dig into one right away, but just be aware, they are also very delicious chilled.
A Hefty Cookie
The culmination of these no-bake chocolate peanut butter buckeye cookies is not for the faint of heart.
They are sturdy and decadent. But the intense chocolate peanut butter flavors are amazingly delicious.
My kids LOVE these cookies, and with all that peanut butter, we’re basically at the point of justifying them as a protein shake and moving on with our lives. 😂
A fun new take on no-bake cookies, these cookies are a chocolate + peanut butter lover’s dream!
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Three Years Ago: Make-Ahead Overnight Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
Four Years Ago: Easy Peanut Butter Chocolate Graham Cracker Toffee
Five Years Ago: Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Blossom Cookies
Six Years Ago: Overnight Creme Brûlée French Toast Bake
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Eight Years Ago: Amazing Scottish Shortbread
Nine Years Ago: Orange Zested Cranberry White Chocolate Bliss Bars
Ten Years Ago: Chocolate Shortbread Fingers
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Buckeye Cookies
Ingredients
No-Bake Cookies:
- ½ cup (113 g) (8 tablespoons) butter (I use salted)
- 1 ½ cup (318 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup milk
- ⅓ cup (28 g) natural, unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup (53 g) packed light brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup (191 g) creamy peanut butter
- 3 cups (300 g) quick oats (see note)
Peanut Butter Frosting:
- ¼ cup (57 g) (4 tablespoons) butter, softened
- ½ cup (128 g) creamy peanut butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups (143 g) powdered sugar
- Pinch salt
Chocolate Ganache:
- ¾ cups (128 g) chocolate chips, semisweet or bittersweet
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- For the cookies, in a medium saucepan, add the butter, granulated sugar, milk, cocoa powder, brown sugar, and salt.
- Set the pan over medium-low heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring gently (not vigorously) to make sure it doesn't stick. Once boiling, stop stirring, and cook for 60-90 seconds.
- Remove from the heat and add the vanilla and peanut butter, stirring slowly until smooth. Add the oats and stir until combined.
- Scoop about 3 tablespoons of dough into mounds on the baking sheets. Let cool for a few minutes and pat into round balls/circles. Press a divot into the center of each mound so it looks like a cute little chocolate nest.
- For the peanut butter frosting, in a medium bowl using a handheld electric mixer (or in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment), cream together the butter, peanut butter, and vanilla until creamy and smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar and salt and mix until well-combined and creamy, 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add a tablespoon of milk at a time and continue mixing if the frosting is too thick.
- For the chocolate ganache, place the chocolate chips in a small bowl. Heat the cream to a simmer and pour over the chocolate chips. Let sit for 2-3 minutes. Stir with a rubber spatula until glossy and smooth. Let cool until room temperature.
- Dollop peanut butter frosting (about a tablespoon) into the center of each no-bake cookie. (The frosting can be smoothed out with lightly wet fingertips.)
- Spread a spoonful of the cooled chocolate ganache on top of the peanut butter frosting.
- Chill cookies until ready to serve (up to 24 hours in advance). Serve the cookies chilled or at room temperature.
These are disappearing very quickly from the cookie plate! That PB frosting and ganache combo are incredible. You could slap that on any cookie or cupcake and not get complaints from anyone. Great summer time treat if you don’t want the oven running.
No-bakes are a family favorite, and I decided to make these for a family gathering. I grew up making no bakes with my grandma, and it’s a very nostalgic recipe for me. I decided to make half a batch with her no bake recipe, and half a batch with yours. I’ll be honest, I was afraid I would like your no bakes better because there is more butter and brown sugar… clear winner there. But I really truly loved my grandma’s better, and the rest of my family agree. Admittedly, I was relieved, and maybe some of our love was purely preference. I was surprised that your recipe was drier and more crumbly, maybe sandier? Whatever it was, it reminded me of store bought no bakes. My grandma’s are more moist and chewy. I think, I’m not always good with food adjectives. But the peanut butter frosting??? Wow!! Excellent addition. The ganache, I could take or leave. I honestly felt like I couldn’t really taste and appreciate it. But anyway, thank you for this delicious spin on an old family favorite!
So good! So quick! We loved them! All gone!
My daughter and I made these yesterday…OMG…we made a giant mess in the kitchen but it didn’t matter because they’re so good! 🙂 Quick question – how do you store them? It’s going to take a few days to eat them…leave them in the fridge or keep out on the counter? THANKS!
We pop them in a covered container and put them in the fridge!
These look delicious. I guess it would be pushing it if I used milk chocolate chips in the ganache?? Just a thought…while I’m dreaming of peanut butter and chocolate.
It will be much sweeter, but you can use milk chocolate if that’s what you have (or prefer)!
I am excited to try these for my peanut butter-lovin’ family 🙂 I don’t have quick oats on hand and wondered if I can blend my old fashioned oats in the hand blender for a second or two in order to use them?
Yes, you can definitely do that!
Aw, come on now Mel. I was supposed to be able to get through this holiday season without attempting yet another no-bake cookie.
🙂 A few weeks ago I tried one (without frosting OR ganache) and really didn’t care for the texture given by the oats.
This recipe is just a sign that I need to get over it and try again.
I’ve been making some baked peanut butter/chocolate chip granola bar bites (I cut them small to help with portion regulation, as if, LOL!) They’re great, and full of healthy stuff like flax seeds and honey, and seriously remind me of the old breakfast bars I used to buy. Kinda dry, great with a glass of milk.
Here you are with this chocolatey goodness?Argh. More experiments are in order. Happy Holidays!!
Can you do these cookies ahead and freeze?
Unfortunately, I don’t think these cookies will freeze very well (I haven’t had the greatest luck freezing no-bake cookies in the past).
HOly mother of a grapefruit stain on a white couch…. This is diabolical. lol
I’m so glad my husband can take homemade goodies to work again… his co-workers are basically willing guinea pigs for my sweet tooth and your recipes. lol Sharing is caring right? 😉
Did anyone else instantly smell the delectable aroma of no-bake cookies when they read the recipe and saw the images? No? Just me? I mean it works for bacon, I think it works for chocolate/ peanut butter concoctions. 😀 Reminds me of that Reeses commercial. You got peanut butter in my chocolate! YOU got chocolate in my peanut butter. Oh wait.. it’s more like.. You got ganache ON my peanut butter.
Best comment ever!! Did you try these? I’m trying them today.