Buckeyes
Updated Apr 08, 2024
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Buckeyes are a classic treat that are a must-have during the holiday season. With just a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you can whip up a batch of these irresistible treats in just 30 minutes.
These sweet treats consist of a creamy peanut butter filling coated in rich chocolate, and resemble the nut of the Ohio state tree, the buckeye.
Buckeyes are a great addition to a holiday dessert platter or a treat to have on hand when you need something sweet. They pair well with these soft gingerbread cookies and classic shortbread cookies.
And if you love the classic combo of peanut butter and chocolate, you must try this chocolate peanut butter pie recipe.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- These buckeyes contain the perfect combination of peanut butter and chocolate that will satisfy even the biggest sweet tooth.
- No baking or oven needed, which means it’s a great recipe to make with kids.
- They make a perfect homemade gift for holidays, birthdays, or any special occasion.
- You likely have all the ingredients on-hand.
Recipe Ingredients
- Peanut Butter: the backbone of this easy candy recipe, and you’ll use the whole jar so you don’t even have to make a mess in your measuring cups
- Powdered Sugar: this sweetens up the candy and helps everything stick together, it’s a bit like the “flour” to your candy
- Butter: melted butter helps everything to come together and gives a nice creamy flavor
- Chocolate: melting chocolate or chocolate wafers are best for this recipe and milk, semi-sweet or dark chocolate all work depending on your preference
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities
How to Make Buckeyes
Step #1. Mix the peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and butter in a bowl until smooth.
Step #2. Roll this mixture into one-inch balls.
Step #3. Melt the chocolate according to package directions
Step #4. Dip each peanut butter ball in the melted chocolate leaving some of the peanut butter showing so that they look like buckeyes.
Recipe FAQs
Be sure to look for melting chocolate because it has already been tempered (heated and cooled). When you heat it again, the chocolate doesn’t bloom (turn white) like untempered chocolate might.
The chocolate may take up to 1 to 2 hours to set on the buckeyes, depending on the temperature of your kitchen. Setting them in a cooler spot in your kitchen or house will help them firm up faster.
You could use crunchy peanut butter but I wouldn’t recommend it because you won’t have the creamy texture that this recipe is meant to have.
Yes. You can use any creamy nut butter to make buckeyes. Keep in mind that the flavor will be different.
Expert Tips
- Use a good quality peanut butter for the best flavor in your buckeyes. Creamy peanut butter works best for this recipe, as it creates a smooth and creamy texture.
- Make sure to sift or whisk the powdered sugar before adding it to the peanut butter mixture. This will help prevent any lumps and ensure a smoother consistency.
- When rolling the peanut butter mixture into balls, use a cookie dough scoop for evenly sized portions.
- Melt your melting chocolate according to package directions. Using a double-boiler on the stove will prevent scorching the chocolate.
- To prevent the chocolate from seizing when melting, make sure that all utensils and bowls are completely dry. Any water or moisture can cause the chocolate to become grainy and clumpy.
How do I store Buckeyes?
Store Buckeyes in an air-tight container at room temperature.
More No-Bake Recipes to Consider
No Bake Desserts
Watergate Salad Recipe
No Bake Desserts
Healthy No-Bake Cheesecake
No Bake Desserts
Berries and Cream
Dessert Recipes
Banana Split
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Buckeyes
Ingredients
- 16 ounce jar creamy peanut butter, (2 cups)
- 1 pound powdered sugar, (3.5 cups)
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1.5 pounds melting chocolate, (see notes)
Instructions
- In a large bowl mix together the peanut butter, powdered sugar, melted butter, and vanilla.
- You can use a stand mixer, hand mixer, or just a sturdy wooden spoon to mix it, it’s up to you. Just be sure it’s well combined to form a smooth thick dough.
- Roll the peanut butter mixture into 1 inch balls using your hands (this will be about a tablespoon of dough). Place the prepared balls on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Melt your melting chocolate according to package directions (I generally use the double-boiler method on the stove after scorching a few too many batches of chocolate in the microwave).
- Set the ball of peanut butter dough on a fork and lower it into the warm melted chocolate, taking care to not dip it fully, you should have a spot on the top that is about the size of a dime showing of the peanut butter, this is what makes it look like a buckeye.
- Remove from the chocolate and gently tap the fork on the edge of your bowl to remove extra chocolate and then place the buckeye on a piece of parchment or waxed paper to set.
- Repeat with remaining peanut butter balls and allow the chocolate to set before serving.
- Store leftovers at room temperature.
Notes
- You can find melting chocolate sold in big chunks during the holidays or you can look for melting chocolate near the chocolate chips.
- Ghirardelli makes a good melting chocolate that comes in bags of both dark and milk chocolate. That’s my preferred chocolate for this recipe. You can find it year round near the chocolate chips.
- I don’t recommend chocolate or brown almond bark for this recipe, it’s a little waxy.
- To prevent lumps, sift or whisk the powdered sugar before auditing it to the peanut butter mixture.
- For evenly sized portions, use a cookie dough scoop when rolling the peanut butter mixture into balls.
