This easy buckeye recipe is made with peanut butter balls dipped almost all the way in a crispy chocolate shell. It’s a popular no-bake treat for the holidays and is a family favorite!
Other candy recipes that we love to make include Oreo balls, chocolate coconut balls and homemade Twix bars.
Table of Contents
Creamy Peanut Butter Buckeyes
I was first introduced to this easy buckeye recipe when I lived in Ohio. They are basically peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate but with some of the top exposed. It’s a classic combination that is a popular treat at Christmas!
I’ve made a few buckeye desserts like my buckeye brownies and chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting, but this buckeye recipe one of our favorite goodies to add to Christmas cookie plates with other no-bake recipes.
Buckeyes Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Peanut butter: Make sure to use creamy peanut butter in this recipe. You won’t get the same result with a natural, drippy type.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter for the best taste. Also, make sure it’s been softened before getting started.
- Vanilla: A boost of vanilla adds the perfect touch to these buckeyes. Pure vanilla extract will give you the best flavor.
- Powdered sugar: This helps sweeten them up while adding a thick texture.
- Chocolate: Semi-sweet chocolate is my favorite, however dark chocolate would tastes delicious too. I prefer to use chocolate melting wafers because of their extra smooth consistency when melted, but you can also use chocolate chips.
How to Make Buckeyes
Mix together peanut butter, butter, and vanilla with an electric mixer. Gradually add in 1 cup powdered sugar and mix. Add the last 1/2-3/4 cup powdered sugar and combine peanut butter mixture with your hands. The consistency should be thick. If it’s too sticky, add more powdered sugar.
Shape peanut butter dough into 1-inch balls and roll until smooth. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 15 minutes. Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 60 seconds or in a double boiler. Stir until smooth.
Remove from the freezer and stick a toothpick in the center (don’t go too far down or it will be hard to get out). Dip the buckeye ball 3/4 of the way into the melted chocolate. Allow excess chocolate drip off and then place back on the parchment paper. Let set for a minute and then gently remove the toothpick. Repeat.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips to help you make the best buckeye recipe ever!
- I use a small cookie scoop to form my buckeyes evenly. Then roll them in my hands to create a super smooth texture.
- If the mixture is crumbly you may have added the sugar too quickly. Add sugar gradually and keep stirring the mixture, it will come together.
- I prefer using longer toothpicks when dipping my buckeyes into chocolate. They’re easier to hold and less messy.
- If you don’t want to see the toothpick hole, just press down gently once they are set and they will close. I like to keep them there because that’s how the ones that are sold in Ohio look.
For more chocolate and peanut treats make chocolate peanut butter sandwiches, no bake peanut butter bars or chocolate peanut butter fudge.
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Buckeye Candy
Ingredients
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup unsalted butter , softened
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar divided
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate melting wafers
Instructions
- Prep. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Make peanut butter dough. In a medium bowl, mix together 3/4 cup peanut butter, 1/4 cup butter, and 3/4 teaspoon vanilla with an electric mixer. Gradually add in 1 cup powdered sugar and mix until well combined. Add the last 1/2 to 3/4 cup powdered sugar and mix with your hands until all the sugar is gone. It should be a thick consistency. Add more powdered sugar, if it's too sticky.
- Roll into balls. Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place on baking sheet. I like to use a small cookie scoop and then roll them in my hands. Freeze 15 minutes.
- Melt chocolate. In a small bowl, melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or in the microwave 60 seconds. Stir until melted and smooth.
- Dip into chocolate. Remove from the freezer and place a toothpick in the center (don't go too far down or it will be hard to get out). I like to use the longer toothpicks. Dip 3/4 of the way into the chocolate. Let the excess chocolate drizzle off and place back on the parchment paper. Let set for 1 minute and gently remove the toothpick. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Chill. Chill 10 minutes to let the chocolate harden. Then stack in a sealed container. Best stored in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Recipe FAQs
If you haven’t tried a buckeye, it’s basically just a peanut butter ball partially dipped in chocolate to leave a circle on the top. They resemble the nut from the Ohio state tree. So cute and tasty!
The buckeyes are named after the state of Ohio’s tree. The bucket treat resembles the shape and color similar to the nuts on the tree.
They are a sweet and salty combination! It is crumbly from the peanut butter but also smooth and creamy. Once they are dipped in chocolate they taste similar to the peanut butter cup dessert.
These are best stored in the refrigerator so that they keep their shape and texture. Simply place them in an airtight container or bag and store them in the fridge for up to 1 week.
If you’d like to freeze them I’d recommend flash-freezing them first so that they don’t stick together. Place them on a baking sheet and freeze for about 30 minutes, or until hard. Then place in a freezer container and store for up to 2 months.
Categorized as: 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Candy + Fudge, Chocolate, Christmas, Desserts, Freezer-Friendly, Gluten-Free, Mini, No-Bake, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
So easy and delicious! Crowd favorite at parties!
Agreed! Can’t beat the combination of peanut butter and chocolate!
The Best!
So delicious! I love this!
So glad you enjoyed the buckeye recipe :)
So much fun to make and absolutely delicious. Perfect recipe for peanut butter lover like me.
Buckeye balls are so cute and flavorful. I had fun making them and my family enjoyed it. We’ll surely add these treats for Christmas. Highly recommended!
So glad you enjoyed the buckeye recipe!
The only thing I did differently was to cover up the toothpick hole. My family devoured them so I’ll be making another batch soon.
So glad you enjoyed the buckeye recipe! Thanks for your review :)
Always a fun treat any time of year. Perfect to take along to house parties too. I love how easy they are to make. The grandkids love to help too.