close up shot of a bunch of Buckeyes piled on top of each other on a plate

With decadent peanut butter centers and rich chocolate coating, buckeyes are one of the easiest homemade treats you can make.

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Prep Time20

Total Time1 5

Servings

If you grew up anywhere near the Midwest, you already know buckeyes aren’t just a tree nut—they’re a little ball of happiness dressed in chocolate. For everyone else, let me introduce you to the sweetest Ohio State export that doesn’t require a football jersey to enjoy.

Wooden board topped with chocolate-dipped buckeyes arranged in rows with the peanut butter centers showing.

Imagine creamy, salty-sweet peanut butter centers, rolled into bite-sized perfection, then dipped in silky melted chocolate—leaving just a peek of peanut butter on top, like the eye of a buckeye nut.

Buckeyes Ingredients

Flat lay of labeled ingredients for buckeye candies, including peanut butter, powdered sugar, chocolate almond bark, vanilla, and butter.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1¾ cup of creamy peanut butter
½ cup of butter, softened
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
3 cups of powdered sugar
10 ounces of chocolate almond bark

WHEN CHOOSING THE PEANUT BUTTER: Avoid natural peanut butter because the natural oils make it hard to get the peanut butter to set the way you need it to.

How To Make Buckeyes

1️⃣ Mix It Up – In a big bowl, whip together your peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar until it’s thick, smooth, and irresistible. (Try not to “taste test” too much at this stage… it’s a trap.)

2️⃣ Roll ‘Em Out – Use a cookie scoop to portion the dough, then roll each scoop into a ball. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet so they’re ready for their chocolate bath.

Step-by-step process collage showing how to make buckeyes, from mixing the dough, scooping balls, dipping in chocolate, to the finished candies on a board. — The first part of making this recipe is to make the creamy peanut butter filling. Once the balls of the mixture have time to chill, you will coat them in a delicious outer layer of melted chocolate.

3️⃣ Dip, Don’t Dunk – Insert a toothpick into the top of each peanut butter ball and dip it into melted chocolate, leaving just a little golden crown of peanut butter showing—this is what makes them look like real buckeyes.

4️⃣ Set & Serve – Arrange them on a tray to set, then store in the fridge until firm. Try to resist eating half the batch before sharing… or don’t.

Pro Tips For Making The Best Buckeyes

🔹 The chocolate has to be quite hot and the peanut butter balls really cold for the chocolate to stick properly. You may want to keep the peanut butter balls in the freezer and only take a few out at a time to work with.

🔹If you are rolling the balls with your hands and are finding that it is sticky work, cover your hands with a light dusting of powdered sugar to prevent the peanut butter from sticking to you.

How To Serve These Buckeye Peanut Butter Balls

Buckeyes are best enjoyed slightly chilled so the chocolate has a satisfying snap and the peanut butter center stays firm.

Arrange them on a pretty platter for holiday parties, serve them in mini cupcake liners for easy grab-and-go treats, or package them in tins or cellophane bags for gifting.

If you’re thinking of sharing, here are some great homemade truffles to pair them in a container with:

Storing Buckeye Candy

This recipe is super easy to double, freezes really well, and makes an excellent gift to share.

MAKE AHEAD: You’ll be happy to know that this recipe can be made ahead. Simply prepare the buckeyes as directed and place them in an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator or freezer until you’re ready to serve.

ON THE COUNTER: You can keep your buckeyes at room temperature for up to three days in an airtight container.

IN THE FREEZER: These tasty buckeyes will keep in the freezer for up to one month.

Close-up of a bitten buckeye candy showing the creamy peanut butter center coated in chocolate.

More Buckeye Recipes

Buckeyes

5 from 2 votes

With decadent peanut butter centers and rich chocolate coating, buckeyes are one of the easiest homemade treats you can make.

Prep Time 20

Total Time 1 5

Servings

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Ingredients

1¾ cups creamy peanut butter
½ cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups powdered sugar
10 ounces chocolate almond bark

Instructions

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and set it aside.
Using an electric handheld mixer and a medium-sized mixing bowl, or a stand mixer; cream together the peanut butter, softened butter and vanilla.
Slowly add the powdered sugar, and mix until smooth.
Using a spoon or small cookie dough scoop, scoop the peanut butter mixture and shape into 1-inch round balls and place on the waxed paper covered baking sheet. (This usually measures out to a little over a ½ tablespoon)
Place the peanut butter balls in the freezer for 45 minutes.
In a heat-safe bowl, add the chocolate almond bark. Heat in the microwave for 45 seconds.
Remove and stir the chocolate then return to the microwave and heat in 15-second intervals, stirring well after each 15 seconds until the chocolate is smooth.
Remove the peanut butter balls from the freezer.
Insert a toothpick into the peanut butter balls. Dip each ball into the chocolate, leaving a small amount of the top of the peanut butter visible. Allow the excess chocolate to drip off, or carefully wipe the bottom of the ball on the side of the bowl. Return to the sheet pan.
You will need to place the balls in the fridge to help the chocolate properly set.

Notes

If you are rolling the balls with your hands and are finding that it is sticky work, cover your hands with a light dusting of powdered sugar to prevent the peanut butter from sticking to you.
The chocolate has to be quite hot and the peanut butter balls really cold for the chocolate to stick properly. If you find it is taking too much time, you may want to keep the peanut butter balls in the freezer and only take a few out at a time to work with.
This recipe is super easy to double, freezes really well and makes excellent gifts to share.

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

Stephanie Keeping Publisher
Layne Kangas Marketing
Lexus Monroe Editorial Assistant
Teresia Shrum Recipe Developer

Buckeyes