Buckeyes Recipe
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Whip up a batch of these melt-in-your-mouth homemade Buckeyes with just 4 simple ingredients. With a creamy peanut butter center and rich chocolate coating, these easy no-bake treats are irresistibly perfect for any occasion.
Easy Buckeye Recipe
We’ve been making Buckeyes at my house for years, especially during the holiday season, and they are always a big hit. These bite-sized morsels feature a sweet and creamy peanut butter ball dipped in a rich, chocolate coating. They are the perfect sweet treat for anyone who loves the classic peanut butter and chocolate flavor combo.
What makes this recipe a winner is that there’s no oven required, and the results are basically fail-proof. You just mix the ingredients, roll them into balls, dip in chocolate, and chill. In no time you’ll have a batch of these delightful chocolate-dipped peanut butter balls ready to serve. Whether you’re adding them to your Christmas cookie spread, gifting them to friends, or indulging in a quick, homemade dessert. Buckeyes are a timeless favorite that everyone loves.
These buckeyes taste similar to Reese’s peanut butter cups or my easy, creamy Peanut Butter Balls, but with a fun twist. The tops of the Buckeyes are left undipped to mimic the look of a Buckeye nut. For another delicious peanut butter and chocolate treat with a crunchy twist, be sure to check out my No Bake Peanut Butter Bars.
Why You’ll Love Our Buckeyes Recipe
- Easy recipe – These delicious buckeyes are super easy to make using just a handful of ingredients you probably keep on hand.
- Delicious flavor combination – Let’s face it, it doesn’t get any better than the classic chocolate and peanut butter flavor combo.
- Old family recipe – My husband grew up in Ohio, where Buckeyes are known for so this recipe is a classic.
- Make ahead dessert – Buckeyes keep well in the fridge or freezer, so you can prepare them in advance and enjoy them whenever you like.
Ingredients
- Creamy peanut butter – Provides a smooth, nutty flavor and a creamy texture that pairs perfectly with the chocolate coating.
- Salted butter – Adds richness to peanut butter and powdered, giving the Buckeyes a soft, melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
- Powdered sugar – Sweetens the mixture and helps thicken it, making it easy to roll into perfect little balls.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips – Used to create the chocolate coating.
Instructions for Old Fashioned Buckeyes
Step One: Combine Butter and Peanut Butter
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the peanut butter and room-temperature butter until smooth.
Step Two: Add the Sugar
- Next, add in half of the powdered sugar and mix until incorporated.
- Slowly add in the remainder of the powdered sugar until you get a consistency that is thick and not sticky.
Step Three: Form into Balls
- On a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper, using a cookie scoop, scoop out the dough and place on a baking sheet. Place in the freezer to slightly harden, about 5-10 minutes.
Step Four: Dip into Chocolate
- While the peanut butter mixture is in the freezer, melt the semi-sweet morsels in a double boiler or in a microwave-safe dish. If using the microwave, start out with 45 seconds, stir, and continue with 30-second increments until melted and smooth.
- Take the peanut butter dough out of the freezer, roll each ball of dough into a smooth circle, using the palms of your hand and working in both directions for an even circle.
- Using a toothpick, dip each peanut butter ball into the melted chocolate chips about ⅔ of the way. Tap on the side of the bowl to remove the excess chocolate drip. You want to top of the peanut butter ball peaking through.
- Once all the buckeyes have been coated with chocolate, place back onto the sheet pan and place them back in the freezer for 20-30 minutes to set.
- Allow the buckeye balls to come to room temperature before enjoying!
Top Tips
- Allow the chocolate to cool just a couple of minutes before dipping the balls. You don’t want so hot that it’s melts the peanut butter.
- Don’t rush the chill time. This helps firm up the dough, which helps keep them together when dipped.
- If you want to smooth out the toothpick hole, use your pointer finger to gently press the dough back together.
Buckeye Candy Suggestions and Alternatives
- Dark chocolate or milk chocolate – Switch up the chocolate coating with dark chocolate for a richer, more intense flavor, or milk chocolate for a sweeter, creamier coating.
- Crunchy peanut butter – For added texture, you can use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy.
- Rice Krispies – Add some Rice Krispies into the peanut butter mixture for a fun, crispy texture that adds a little bit of crunch to every bite.
- Vanilla extract – Add a splash of vanilla extract or any of your favorite extracts for added flavor.
- Sea salt – For a sweet and salty flavor, sprinkle a small pinch of sea salt on top of the chocolate coating before it sets.
- Crushed nuts – Roll the peanut butter balls in crushed nuts like peanuts, almonds, or pecans before dipping them in chocolate. This adds a nutty crunch.
- Mini marshmallows – Mix mini marshmallows into the peanut butter filling for a sweet, gooey surprise inside each Buckeye.
- Toffee bits – Fold toffee bits into the peanut butter mixture for a caramelized crunch that complements the creamy peanut butter.
- Sprinkles – Decorate the tops of the dipped Buckeyes with colorful sprinkles for birthdays or holidays.
How Do You Store Homemade Buckeyes?
If you plan to eat them within a few days, you can keep Buckeyes at room temperature in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for about a week. If you want them to last longer, store them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Can You Freeze Buckeyes?
You can freeze them too. Place the Buckeyes in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator before enjoying.
Why are They Called Buckeyes?
Chocolate buckeyes are named after the nuts of the Ohio buckeye tree. The peanut butter center peeking through the chocolate coating looks just like brown and tan buckeye nuts.
Other FAQs
Yes, you can use natural peanut butter, but it may be a bit oilier than regular creamy peanut butter. Make sure to mix it well before use to ensure a consistent texture for your Buckeyes.
To get a smooth and glossy chocolate coating, melt the chocolate chips slowly and gently. If using a microwave, heat in short intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted and smooth.
If your Buckeyes are falling apart, it may be because the peanut butter mixture is too soft or warm. Make sure the mixture is chilled thoroughly before rolling into balls, and ensure the chocolate coating isn’t too hot when dipping.
Yes, you can make the peanut butter mixture ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to roll and dip the Buckeyes. Let the dough sit out for a few minutes to make it easier to roll.
Yes, you can use almond bark as a substitute for chocolate chips. Almond bark melts smoothly and provides a nice, even coating for your Buckeyes. Just follow the melting instructions on the almond bark package, and be sure to allow it to cool slightly.
More Fun and Delicious Treats
- Cornflake Candy
- Chocolate Haystack Cookies
- Chocolate Rum Balls
- Ritz Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies
- Crockpot Candy
- 3 Musketeers Candy
- Cinnamon Rock Candy
Homemade Buckeyes
Ingredients
- 2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup salted butter room temperature
- 4-4½ cups powdered sugar
- 3 cups semi sweet morsels
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream together the peanut butter and butter until smooth.2 cups creamy peanut butter, 1 cup salted butter
- Next, add in half of the powdered sugar and combined until incorporated. Slowly adding in the remainder of the powdered sugar until you get a consistency that is thick and not sticky.4-4½ cups powdered sugar
- On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, using a cookie scoop, scoop out the dough and place on a baking sheet. Place in the freezer to slightly harden, about 5-10 minutes.
- While the peanut butter mixture is in the freezer, melt the semi sweet morsels in a microwave safe dish. Start out at :45, stir and do any remaining times at :30 to ensure you don’t burn the chocolate.3 cups semi sweet morsels
- TIP: Allow the chocolate to cool. You don’t want it hot otherwise it will be hard to work with.
- Once the peanut butter comes out of the freezer, roll each ball of dough into a smooth circle, using the palms of your hand and working in both directions for an even circle.
- Using a toothpick, dip each peanut butter ball into the chocolate about ⅔ of the way. *If you want to smooth out the toothpick mark, use your pointer finger to gently press the dough back together.
- Once all the buckeyes have been coated with chocolate, place back into the freezer for 20-30 minutes to set.
- Allow the buckeyes to come to room temperature before enjoying!
Notes
Once the peanut butter comes out of the freezer, roll each ball of dough into a smooth circle, using the palms of your hand and working in both directions for an even circle.
Using a toothpick, dip each peanut butter ball into the chocolate about ⅔ of the way.
*If you want to smooth out the toothpick mark, use your pointer finger to gently press the dough back together.
Once all the buckeyes have been coated with chocolate, place back into the freezer for 20-30 minutes to set.
Allow the buckeyes to come to room temperature before enjoying!
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Too much butter. I followed the recipe step by step and my peanut butter is way too mousse like. Very wet and tacky. Wasted all my ingredients. 1/2 a stick of butter would work better I feel