Most popular around Christmas, but good all year round, this Buckeye Recipe is a must for every treat platter. These chocolate and peanut butter candies are so popular you’ll want to make more than one batch!
If you love the chocolate and peanut butter combo, you also need to try these Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies or this Reese’s Peanut Butter Cheesecake.
If you love a sweet, rich treat, this buckeye recipe is for you. Filled with lots of peanut butter and chocolate flavor, these are a favorite addition to any cookie plate or candy platter.
And the bonus is that they are super easy to make! Practically no bake, (you just have to melt the chocolate), these are easy enough for a beginner!
Ingredients
- Peanut Butter: You’ll want to use a commercial peanut butter like Skippy or Jif for this recipe. An all natural peanut butter will be much dryer and won’t give you the same results.
- Butter: I like to use unsalted butter, but salted butter would probably work well if you like a bit of salt.
- Vanilla: I like to use real vanilla extract.
- Powdered Sugar: I like to sift the powdered sugar into the mixture to make sure it doesn’t have any clumps. Measure the powdered sugar before sifting.
- Chocolate Chips: I like to use semi-sweet chocolate. The peanut butter filling is pretty rich, so the semi-sweet chocolate helps to counteract some of the sweetness. You could also use chopped bars of chocolate instead of chocolate chips.
- Shortening: The shortening creates a smoother chocolate for dipping.
How to Make This Buckeye Recipe
Beat the peanut butter and the butter together. You want this to be nice and smooth.
Add in the vanilla and beat to combine.
Sift in the powdered sugar.
Stir this all together. If you are using a stand mixer, the mixer will do the work for you, but it is probably too stiff for a hand mixer. I used a spatula to stir it all together.
Roll the mixture into balls. I used a cookie scoop to make sure they were all the same size.
Stick a toothpick into each ball, and transfer to the freezer for 30 minutes.
Melt the chocolate and the shortening together. You can do this in a double boiler or in the microwave.
Once the peanut butter balls are frozen, dip them into the melted chocolate, leaving part of the peanut butter exposed on top. Return the balls to the parchment paper to let the chocolate set up.
What is a Buckeye?
I know it’s a strange name, but these buckeye candies are named after the nut that comes off of the buckeye tree. It is the state tree of Ohio, so this candy is a native Ohio treat. I did not hear about these candies until I was older, but they are definitely a favorite now.
Tips and Tricks
Some people will add the toothpick just before dipping the peanut butter ball in the chocolate, but I like to stick a toothpick in each ball before I put them in the freezer. If the toothpick is not secure, it is harder to dip them. By freezing the toothpick in the ball, it helps to keep the toothpick more secure.
This makes 18 generously sized buckeyes. If you want to make them smaller, you can use about 2 teaspoons of the peanut butter mixture and you will get about 27 buckeyes.
You can store buckeyes in the fridge, freezer, or at room temperature. If storing at room temperature, you’ll want to eat them within a couple of days. I like to store them in the refrigerator and eat them cold.
More Candy Recipes
Microwave Caramels
Homemade 100 Grand Candy Bar
Shaggy Dog Candy Recipe
Cherry Nut Chocolates
LOOKING FOR MORE FREE RECIPES?
Subscribe to my free recipe newsletter to get new family friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing more family-friendly inspiration on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.
Buckeye Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 6 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon shortening
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat the peanut butter and the butter together until smooth. Beat in the vanilla extract.
- Sift the powdered sugar into the mixture and stir to combine. The mixture should be quite stiff. If needed, add more powdered sugar.
- Roll the dough into 18 tablespoon sized balls.* Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Put a toothpick into each ball and place the baking sheet in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
- Combine the chocolate chips and the shortening in a bowl. Microwave on 50% power in 30 second intervals until the chocolate is melted. (I like to melt it until the chocolate is about 75% melted and then stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth.)
- Remove the peanut butter balls from the freezer and dip into the melted chocolate, leaving a portion of the peanut butter showing on the top. Let any excess chocolate drip off. Return the ball to the parchment lined baking sheet.
- Once the buckeye has been dipped in chocolate, remove the toothpick. If desired, you can smooth over the hole with the back of a spoon or the tip of a butter knife.
- Let the balls sit until the chocolate has hardened, or transfer to the refrigerator for them to harden faster.
eatme_delicious says
I'd never heard of buckeyes until I started blogging either! Never had one still. These look delicious!
Jean Bugs says
Having lived in Columbus OH all of my life, I am so glad you've discovered the joys of buckeyes! We're quite proud of all of our "Buckeyes"; whether you are speaking of the candy, the trees, or the OSU Buckeyes!!!
Maria says
Such a yummy treat!
Cathy - wheresmydamnanswer says
These look wonderful and I confess too I have never heard of Buckeye's either ! Thanks for the introduction!
kat says
These sound great but I'd be in trouble showing up with anything called "buckeye" with my husband's Michigan family.
Chocolate Shavings says
Those look absolutely delicious Deborah, perfect for any holiday treat!
Emily says
WOW! Deborah! These look amazing! SO profesional.
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
Mmmhhh, so delicious!
Cheers,
Rosa