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Buckeyes

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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.
Jump to Recipe
Table of Contents
  1. Buckeyes Ingredients
  2. Substitutions And Additions
  3. How To Make This Buckeyes Recipe
  4. How To Serve These Buckeye Peanut Butter Balls
  5. Storing Buckeye Candy
  6. Frequently Asked Questions
  7. More Recipes You’ll Love
  8. JUMP TO RECIPE

These delectable buckeyes are a tasty confection that you will want to add to your candy-making repertoire. They feature a creamy peanut butter center wrapped in rich decadent chocolate while leaving a small bit of peanut butter peaking out to resemble the nut of the Ohio buckeye tree.

close up overhead shot of a bunch of Buckeyes placed on a wooden board

Buckeyes Ingredients

Buckeyes raw ingredients that are labeled
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If you’ve never had the pleasure of tasting buckeye candies, imagine a rich sphere of peanut butter coated in velvety smooth chocolate, then chilled to melt-in-your-mouth perfection.

You’ll need:

  • 1¾ cup of creamy peanut butter
  • ½ cup of butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 3 cups of powdered sugar
  • 3 cups of semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon of shortening

Substitutions And Additions

PEANUT BUTTER: Choose your favorite peanut butter brand for this recipe. We’d recommend avoiding natural peanut butter because the natural oils sometimes make it hard to get the peanut butter to set the way you need it to.

CHOCOLATE CHIPS: If you prefer to make these with either milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips, both will work fine for the delicious chocolate coating.

How To Make This Buckeyes Recipe

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.

STEP ONE: Line a baking sheet with wax paper and set it aside.

STEP TWO: Using an electric mixer and a medium bowl, or a stand mixer, cream together the peanut butter, softened butter, and vanilla.

STEP THREE: Slowly add the powdered sugar, and mix until smooth.

powdered sugar blended together with the peanut butter mixture in a bowl

STEP FOUR: Using a spoon or small cookie dough scoop, scoop the peanut butter mixture and shape into 1-inch balls (about ½ tablespoon) and place on the waxed paper-covered baking sheet. 

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

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.

dough balls being scooped onto parchment paper

STEP FIVE: Place the peanut butter balls in the freezer for 45 minutes.

STEP SIX: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and the shortening. 

STEP SEVEN: Heat in the microwave for 45 seconds. Remove and stir the chocolate chips. Return to the microwave and heat in 15-second intervals, stirring well after every 15 seconds until the chocolate is smooth.

STEP EIGHT: Remove the peanut butter balls from the freezer.

STEP NINE: Insert a toothpick into the peanut butter balls. Dip each ball into the melted 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. 

PRO TIP:

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.

cookie ball being dipped into melted chocolate

STEP TEN: You will need to place the chocolate peanut butter balls in the fridge to help the chocolate properly set. 

PRO TIP:

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

How To Serve These Buckeye Peanut Butter Balls

Whip up a batch of this easy buckeye recipe any time you are craving the divine combination of chocolate and peanut butter.

To serve, a simple charcuterie board with a variety of meats and cheeses is a classic choice, offering a savory contrast to the sweet taste of the buckeyes.

For those who prefer a lighter option, a fresh fruit platter with berries, melons, and citrus is a refreshing alternative.

If you are thinking of sharing, they also make wonderful gifts. Add them to a decorative box along with our white chocolate lemon truffles.

If you love this buckeye candy recipe, check out more of our divine creations, including our cookies and cream truffles and gingerbread truffles.

Storing Buckeye Candy

Whether you want to make these ahead of time for a special occasion or simply need to store leftovers, here are some handy tips to ensure your buckeyes stay fresh.

MAKE AHEAD: If you’re looking to get a head start on your buckeyes, 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 shot of a bunch of Buckeyes with a bite taken out of one of them

Peanut butter buckeyes will be a winner for any peanut butter and chocolate lover out there. They are so easy to make and are little bites of decadent heaven. Share them or keep them all to yourself; we won’t judge!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze buckeyes?

This simple buckeye recipe can be frozen in an airtight container for up to one month.

Why are these called buckeyes?

This confection is called a buckeye because the finished product, with its chocolate exterior and a small bit of peanut butter peeking out, resembles buckeye nuts from the buckeye tree, which is native to Ohio.

Can I use milk or dark chocolate chips in this buckeye recipe?

Any type of chocolate chip will work fine for coating your buckeye candy.

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

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 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 48

Ingredients
  

  • cups creamy peanut butter
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon shortening

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, combine the chocolate chips and the shortening.
  • Heat in the microwave for 45 seconds. Remove and stir the chocolate chips. 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

Calories: 169kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 61mg | Potassium: 126mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 65IU | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
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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!

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  1. Amy M kelley says

    5 stars
    These are the best! They are great to put in little gift bags at Christmas or as a side treat at parties.

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