The Most Delicious Buckeye Cake Recipe

One of the most requested recipes in my family is for our famous homemade buckeyes but this recipe is one that comes a close second. If you like the peanut butter and chocolate combination of buckeyes, you need to try this recipe for buckeye cake. 

I’ve baked this cake for birthdays and holidays and dessert auctions (raising $290 just for this cake, thank you very much!). It takes a bit of time to create the various layers, but the ending result is definitely worth the time spent.

The original buckeye cake recipe was the winner in a Toll House competition, and created by Krista Linegar. Once you bake this buckeye cake, you’ll see exactly why this recipe won! Our family quickly fell in love with this recipe but have since tweaked to make it even better. Is it possible? Yes, indeed! This is my version of the most delicious buckeye cake.

Buckeye cake consists of three parts – a brownie like cake on the bottom with a peanut butter fudge layer that is topped by a rich chocolate ganache. For as rich as this buckeye cake tastes, it is actually simple to bake. Yes, there are a couple steps to follow but it is well worth your time to make this buckeye cake. Make it once and I am confident your family will enjoy this decadent chocolate cake as much as we do!Β 

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. You can read more in my disclosure policy.

Buckeye Cake Ingredients:

For the cake layer, you will need the following ingredients.

  • 10 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup flour

For the peanut butter fudge layer, you will need these ingredients.

  • 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar

Finally, for the chocolate ganache layer that tops the cake, you will need these two ingredients.

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 cups (12 ounce package) Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels

How to Make Buckeye Cake:

To begin, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 9-inch-round cake pan. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper; grease again. I don’t often use parchment paper but I always do for buckeye cake.

For the cake, stir eggs and sugar in large bowl. Add in flour, melted butter, cocoa, and vanilla extract and stir until smooth. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 5 minutes. Run knife around edge of cake; cool for an additional 10 minutes. Invert cake onto serving platter. Remove pan and parchment paper; cool completely.

For the peanut butter layer, beat peanut butter, butter and vanilla extract in medium mixer bowl until combined. Gradually beat in powdered sugar. You can do this with a mixer or by hand. Spread mixture on cake, all the way to the edge of the cake. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

For the ganache, heat the cream in small saucepan to boiling; remove from heat. Add semi-sweet morsels; let stand 5 minutes. Stir. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until mixture has thickened slightly. Pour chocolate on top and spread over sides of cake. It will pour over the whole cake and that is what you want. Refrigerate until ganache sets and you are ready to serve the buckeye cake.

This buckeye cake can easily serve 12 to 16 people, depending on the size of your slices. I absolutely love chocolate but this is a very rich and decadent dessert that warrants smaller slices.

Helpful Tips for Making Buckeye Cake:

I use butter but I don’t know that it really matters whether it is salted or unsalted. I’ve used both and the cake always tastes fine.

Parchment paper  really is necessary. It will make removing your cake so much easier! These parchment papers are great because you don’t have to worry about storing a whole roll for the occasional times you use it!

You can top the buckeye cake with swirls of peanut butter fudge for an extra garnish, if you so desire. I rarely do so but it does add a nice visual touch.

Keep your buckeye cake in the refrigerator. Pull it out 15 minutes or so before you are serving it, so it is easier to cut.

Want more delicious chocolate recipes?

Chocolate chip shortbread cookies are one of my favorite cookies. Soft, fluffy shortbread with the perfect amount of chocolate – and they freeze great too!

This easy chocolate frosting is my go-to frosting. It is rich and decadent but so easy to make. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to store bought frosting again!

If you’re looking for a quick chocolate treat in bar form, try making O’Henry bars. It’s a gooey oatmeal bar with a thick layer of peanut butter and chocolate on top. So delicious!

Want more easy & delicious recipes?

Sign up for our newsletter & get your free recipe book!
Print

Decadent Buckeye Cake

This decadent buckeye cake is the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter. It’s just like the buckeye candy but only in cake form!

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the cake layer:

  • 10 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup flour

For the peanut butter fudge layer:

  • 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar

For the ganache layer:

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 cups (12 ounce package) Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels

Instructions

  1. To begin, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 9-inch-round cake pan. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper; grease again.
  2. For the cake, stir eggs and sugar in large bowl.
  3. Add in flour, melted butter, cocoa, and vanilla extract and stir until smooth. Pour into prepared pan.
  4. Bake for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
  5. Cool on wire rack for 5 minutes. Run knife around edge of cake; cool for an additional 10 minutes. Invert cake onto serving platter. Remove pan and parchment paper; cool completely.
  6. For the peanut butter layer, beat peanut butter, butter and vanilla extract in medium mixer bowl until combined.
  7. Gradually beat in powdered sugar. You can do this with a mixer or by hand.
  8. Spread mixture on cake, all the way to the edge of the cake. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  9. For the ganache, heat the cream in small saucepan to boiling; remove from heat. Add semi-sweet morsels; let stand 5 minutes. Stir; refrigerate for 30 minutes or until mixture has thickened slightly. Pour chocolate on top and spread over sides of cake.
  10. Refrigerate until ganache sets and you are ready to serve the buckeye cake.
  11. When you are ready to serve your buckeye cake, I would recommend small slices as this is a truly a rich, chocolate dessert. It can easily serve anywhere from 12 to 16 people, depending on the size of your slices.

Notes

  • Store buckeye cake in the refrigerator until 15 minutes before serving.Β 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 502 cal
  • Sugar: 41.7g
  • Sodium: 160mg
  • Fat: 32.2g
  • Saturated Fat: 17g
  • Carbohydrates: 53.8g
  • Fiber: 4.2g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 69mg

Keywords: buckeye cake

Did you make this recipe?

We’d love it if you would pin this recipe and share it with others!

Similar Posts

19 Comments

  1. This cake is so delicious! We had it last week for my daughter’s birthday. I love the ganache on top!

  2. Wondering if this can be doubled on a cookie sheet ? Or would a single
    Recipe be enough for the cookie sheet ?
    Still would using parchment paper be needed ?

    1. I have never baked this on a cookie sheet. You are going to need to bake the actual cake in a circle pan, because it needs the shape and form of something to hold it as it bakes. It would spread and fun on a cookie sheet. Now, once you bake the cake, you could flip the cake onto a cookie sheet and then add the peanut butter fudge and ganache. If I were doubling it, I would bake two separate cakes and serve it that way. That is my recommendation!

  3. I made this when we had some friends over for dinner and she asked for the recipe right away! I only used about half the ganache, but it was plenty for us since it was so rich and delicious!! Thank you for sharing the recipe!

  4. I’ve made this recipe for years. If I’m in a hurry, I just use brownie mix for the base. I’ve made this into individual cakes for a wedding as well. It was a very pretty and beautiful addition to the dessert table. For the drizzling, I just microwave a few peanut butter chips in a small freezer bag (don’t use a sandwich bag) for a bit, cut a very small hole in one of the corners of the freezer bag and drizzle. Super easy and very pretty. This is an easy recipe – anyone can make it. It is amazing!

    1. Hi, Kathy! No, it is not a typo. It really is a very chocolately dessert! πŸ™‚ But I promise that all that cocoa is not overwhelming. It just makes for a decadent dessert for chocolate lovers!

  5. Pingback: 101+ Peanut Butter Dessert Recipes: Lip-Smacking Goodness
  6. Oh dear, this looks so good! Plus, it would be EASY to convert to gluten free with the only flour being a small amount in the dense lower layer. This is totally going to be my next dessert!

  7. I LOVE buckeyes and anything chocolate and peanut butter…and this cake looks amazing! Can’t wait to give it a try. All that ganache on the top just makes me want a bit NOW! πŸ™‚

    1. Oh, it is, Kate. It is absolutely amazing. It’s one of those perfect desserts for when you have a serious chocolate craving! πŸ™‚

    1. It’s one of our favorites, Addy. If you love chocolate (like I do), then this recipe is sure to become a favorite! πŸ™‚

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star