Decadent Turtle Buckeye Brownies – These Decadent Turtle Buckeye Brownies are the perfect balance of rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and sweet caramel with a salty crunch from pecans. A deliciously indulgent treat that hits all the right notes in one bite! This recipe has everything you love in a classic turtle candy combined with the soft, fudgy goodness of brownies.
The first time I made these brownies, it was one of those “Let’s see what happens if I combine all my favorite things!” moments. I was craving something extra special, and the result? Well, let’s just say my husband and our little one devoured them before I even got the chance to photograph the batch. Now, it’s one of our go-to family favorites. Whenever I make them, I’m reminded of that first time – watching their faces light up with pure delight!
What makes this Decadent Turtle Buckeye Brownies truly special?
These brownies aren’t just regular brownies. They’re like a mash-up of everything you love in dessert form. Gooey caramel, crunchy pecans, creamy peanut butter, and that smooth chocolate layer on top? It’s a little slice of heaven. Plus, it’s easy—use a boxed mix or homemade brownies. Either way, you get that layered, sweet-and-salty goodness with minimal effort. Isn’t that what we all need in a dessert? Minimal effort, maximum deliciousness!
What You Need To Make This Decadent Turtle Buckeye Brownies Recipe?
Brownie base: Whether you go for homemade, a boxed mix, or even gluten-free, the brownie base is where the magic starts. I love using a rich, fudgy brownie because it holds up to all the toppings without being too heavy. If you’re short on time, don’t worry—boxed mix totally works here! No judgment.
Caramels: These little guys are the heart of that gooey turtle topping. Grab a bag of your favorite soft caramels and make sure you unwrap them all (a bit tedious, I know, but totally worth it). When melted with a bit of milk, they turn into a dreamy caramel sauce that coats the brownies perfectly.
Pecans: Gotta love that crunch, right? Pecans add the perfect texture to balance out all that sweet caramel and creamy peanut butter. If pecans aren’t your thing, swap them with walnuts or even almonds, but pecans really give that classic turtle flavor. Plus, they toast up a bit in the layers, giving you that nutty goodness.
Peanut butter: Creamy peanut butter is a must here. It’s the star of the buckeye-inspired layer, and trust me, it adds this crazy satisfying richness to every bite. Just make sure it’s not the natural kind with all the oil on top—it needs to be smooth and easy to spread!
Powdered sugar: This is what makes that peanut butter topping sweet and thick. When you mix it with the butter and peanut butter, it turns into this irresistible spreadable layer that just melts into the caramel and pecans.
Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet chocolate is the way to go. It’s not too sweet, so it balances out the caramel and peanut butter layers perfectly. Plus, it melts like a dream when you mix it with a little vegetable oil for that glossy finish.
Fleur de sel or coarse sea salt (optional): Okay, this is optional, but highly recommended if you’re into the whole sweet-and-salty combo. Just a little sprinkle of sea salt on top takes these brownies from good to mind-blowingly delicious. It’s that final touch that makes you go, “Why didn’t I add this sooner?!”
Steps To Make Decadent Turtle Buckeye Brownies:
First up, bake those brownies: You can use your favorite homemade recipe or a boxed mix—totally up to you! Just follow the instructions and get that 9×13 pan of fudgy goodness in the oven. If you’re using my homemade recipe, skip adding the last cup of chocolate chips before baking. Once they’re done, let them cool completely. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!
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Time for the turtle topping: Grab your unwrapped caramels (yes, unwrapping is a pain, but it’ll be worth it) and toss them into a microwave-safe bowl with 2 tablespoons of milk. Microwave on high for about 1 ½ to 2 minutes, stirring in between so the caramels don’t burn. Once everything’s smooth and melted, stir in the chopped pecans. Now, go ahead and spoon that sticky, nutty goodness all over the cooled brownies. It doesn’t have to look perfect—we’re adding more layers on top anyway. Tip: Use a piece of waxed paper sprayed with cooking spray to press it down without it sticking to your fingers.
Peanut butter topping time: In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, and milk together until it’s nice and thick. It’ll be pretty stiff, so don’t worry if it looks like cookie dough—it’s supposed to! Scoop spoonfuls of it over the turtle topping, then gently press and spread it out with your fingers. It’s okay if it’s a little messy; we’re going for delicious, not perfect.
Melt that chocolate: In another microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and vegetable oil. Microwave for about a minute, stopping halfway through to stir, until it’s smooth and glossy. Pour that melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer and smooth it out with a spatula. Want to take it to the next level? Sprinkle some coarse sea salt or fleur de sel on top for a sweet and salty finish.
Let it set: Pop the whole thing in the fridge for about 30 minutes to let all the layers firm up. Once it’s chilled, slice into squares and try not to eat them all in one sitting!
Tip:
Here’s a little trick for when you’re making the peanut butter and chocolate layers: Make sure the brownies are completely cooled before adding the turtle and peanut butter toppings. If the brownies are even a little bit warm, the toppings will melt right into them, and you’ll lose that nice, thick layer effect. Oh, and when you’re pressing down the caramel-pecan mixture, spraying your wax paper (or even your hands) with a bit of cooking spray will keep things from getting too sticky and messy. Also, don’t rush the setting time! Let the whole thing chill in the fridge for a good 30 minutes before cutting. It’ll make slicing so much easier, and the layers will hold up beautifully. Trust me, it’s worth the extra patience!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use a boxed brownie mix instead of homemade?
Absolutely! A boxed brownie mix works perfectly fine here, and it’s a great time-saver. Just make sure to follow the box instructions for baking and let them cool completely before adding all the fun layers. You can still get that delicious, decadent taste without going full homemade.
How long do these brownies stay fresh?
These brownies will stay fresh for about 3 days at room temperature if stored in an airtight container. If you want to keep them a little longer, you can store them in the fridge for up to a week. Just know that the layers will get a bit firmer when chilled, but they’re still just as tasty!
Can I freeze these brownies?
Yes, you can! If you want to freeze them, let them set completely first, then slice them up and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll keep for about 2-3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just let them thaw in the fridge or on the counter until they’re soft enough to eat.
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Decadent Turtle Buckeye Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 9 x13 brownie recipe homemade, boxed mix, or gluten-free brownies
Turtle Topping:
- 11 ounces of caramels unwrapped
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 ½ c chopped pecans
Peanut Butter Topping:
- 6 tablespoons butter softened
- ¾ c creamy peanut butter
- 1 ½ c powdered sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons milk
Chocolate Topping:
- 1 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 ½ teaspoons vegetable oil
- fleur de sel or coarse sea salt optional
Instructions
- Start by baking your 9x13 brownies—whether you're using a boxed mix or homemade recipe, follow the directions and bake them up. If you're going with my favorite homemade brownies, skip adding the last cup of chocolate chips before baking. Let the brownies cool down completely before moving on. (Patience, I know, but it's worth it!)
- Next up, grab a microwave-safe bowl and pop in the caramels with the milk. Microwave on high for about 1 ½ to 2 minutes, stopping a couple of times to give it a stir. You want it nice and smooth but don’t overdo it—pull it out just as the caramels are almost melted. Stir in the chopped pecans, then quickly spoon that mixture over your cooled brownies.
- Here’s a little tip: if the caramel gets sticky, use a piece of wax paper sprayed with a bit of cooking spray to help you press it down. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect—more layers are coming!
- For the peanut butter topping, toss all the ingredients into a bowl and beat until everything’s well mixed. It’s going to be thick, almost like dough. Drop spoonfuls of this peanut butter goodness over the caramel-pecan layer and gently press it down with your fingers to spread it out.
- Finally, melt the chocolate chips and vegetable oil together in a microwave-safe bowl for about a minute, stopping to stir halfway through. Once it’s smooth, pour it over the peanut butter layer and spread it out evenly with a spatula. If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle some coarse sea salt or fleur de sel on top. Let it all set before slicing. Enjoy!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
