The Most Delicious Buckeye Cake Recipe (2024)

Posted onFebruary 8, 2017September 30, 2023 Updated onSeptember 30, 2023

One of the most requested recipes in my family is for our famous homemade buckeyesbut 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 byKrista 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!

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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 theoven 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!

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