When it comes to candy, there are few pairings as perfect as chocolate and peanut butter — those mass-produced popular chocolate and peanut butter cups in the orange wrapping are never safe in my house for long! If you can believe it, these homemade buckeyes are even better.
Buckeyes are essentially chocolate-dipped peanut butter balls. They also happen to be a super easy no-bake dessert!
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One of the things I love about buckeyes is the peanut butter to chocolate ratio. There’s plenty of fudgy peanut butter goodness on the inside to complement the delicious chocolate coating.
I also adore that these are so simple to make but they’re as much a hit at a tailgate as they are at a dinner party.
These treats are also customizable. While there may be some Ohioans who are purists about their buckeyes, you can absolutely put your own twist on these to make them your own.
What Is Buckeye Candy and What Does It Taste Like?
Buckeyes are no-bake candies made with peanut butter that you form into balls then partially dip into chocolate. They are simultaneously sweet and salty and sport a smooth interior once you crack through the crunch of the hardened chocolate coating.
Where Do Buckeye Candies Come From and Why Are They Named That?
Buckeyes are Ohio’s state candy where the Ohio buckeye tree (the state tree of Ohio named for its nuts that look like the eyes of deer) is prevalent. The candies are shaped like the tree’s nuts.
Ohioans reportedly eat about 6 million buckeyes per year — the candy is a staple in the state at holiday events and football games.
Who Makes Buckeyes?
Candy companies throughout the nation make buckeyes but they are most prevalent throughout Ohio in Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus. The official buckeye maker for Ohio State University is Columbus, Ohio’s oldest candy-maker, Anthony-Thomas Chocolates.
Making Buckeyes Ahead Of Time
You can make the peanut butter balls up to 24 hours ahead of when you are ready to dip them in chocolate. You will need to prepare the chocolate when you are ready to dip the peanut butter balls.
What other truffle recipes do you suggest?
- Oreo Balls/ Oreo Truffles
- Rainbow Truffles Recipe
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Truffles
- Pumpkin Spice Truffles
- Sugar Cookie Truffles
- Dark Chocolate Pistachio Truffles
- 4th of July Truffles
- Easy Chocolate Truffles
- Valentine Oreo Truffles
- Rainbow Mint Oreo Truffles
- Halloween Oreo Balls
- Chocolate Truffles with Holiday Sprinkles
- Holiday Nutella Bites
- Peppermint Oreo Balls
- Grinch Truffles
- Christmas Truffles
Storage
It seems unlikely that you’ll have many of these left after serving them at your gathering, or once the kiddos in the house find out about them! But if you do, you can refrigerate or freeze them.
Refrigerator: Store these in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Freezing: Buckeye candies freeze especially well — just arrange them on a flat surface like a baking sheet and freeze for about a half hour (or you can place individual candies in each slot of a muffin tin). Then, remove them and individually wrap them in plastic wrap, in separate zip-top bags, or in a freezer-safe container, and store them for up to 3 months.
Tips For The Best Buckeye Candies
- To help prevent the peanut butter mixture from sticking to your hands, try spraying your palms with cooking spray or using a light coating of oil.
- When dipping the peanut butter balls into the chocolate, it may help to tilt the bowl of chocolate to avoid the peanut butter loosening and falling into it. Also, swirl the buckeye a bit once it’s been dipped to let the excess chocolate drip off.
- If you have them on hand, wooden skewers are easier to use than toothpicks so that you have more control when dipping the peanut butter concoction into the chocolate.
- Make sure to beat the peanut butter for plenty of time to make sure that the mixture is completely smooth.
- Don’t skimp on the time for the peanut butter balls to chill in the refrigerator prior to dipping. They need to be properly chilled to avoid breakage when dipping into the warm chocolate.
Ingredients
- Peanut butter (creamy)
- Unsalted butter
- Pure vanilla extract
- Confectioners’ sugar
- Chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk or a combination of chocolate chips)
- Coconut oil
Kitchen Supplies You’ll Need
- Wax paper (or parchment paper)
- Cookie sheet
- Wooden skewer or toothpicks
- Mixing bowls
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
How to Make Buckeyes
- Add the peanut butter, butter, and vanilla to a large mixing bowl. Beat on medium-high speed until fully combined. The mixture should be silky smooth and creamy.
- Next, reduce the speed on the mixer to low. Slowly add the confectioner’s sugar in intervals until it is completely incorporated.
- Use a rubber spatula to scrape the bowl while mixing. Eventually, the dough should start to pull away from the sides of the bowl as it’s being mixed.
- To prepare the peanut butter balls, use a small cookie scoop or a melon baller to portion out the dough.
- Roll the dough in the palms of your hand to create perfect spheres. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet.
- After all of the dough has been rolled, refrigerate the peanut butter balls until they are firm to the touch. Resist the urge to remove them from the fridge too soon.
Dipping in Chocolate
- Once the peanut butter balls have chilled sufficiently, combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe container with a wide enough opening to eventually dip the peanut butter balls into. A small bowl, a wide-mouth glass, or a glass measuring cup will all work.
- Warm the chocolate mixture slowly in the microwave in intervals at 50% power. Alternatively, heat the mixture in a double boiler if you prefer).
- Stir the mixture after each interval to incorporate all of the ingredients and to keep pockets of chocolate from not melting.
- When the chocolate is entirely melted and silky smooth, remove the chilled peanut butter balls from the refrigerator. Place a toothpick into the center of each.
- Using the toothpick as a “handle,” dip each of the balls in the melted chocolate — only cover ¾ of the peanut butter ball to create the classic candy’s signature look. There should be a small circle of peanut butter visible at the top of each ball.
- Return each buckeye ball to the wax paper or parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Chill the buckeyes in the refrigerator until the chocolate is set.
- Before serving, remove the toothpicks and transfer to a serving dish. Allow them to come closer to room temperature (unless you prefer them chilled).
What to Serve With Buckeyes
These candies are perfect all on their own and since no one can have just one, you likely don’t need anything to serve them with. But just in case you want to dress them up with accompaniments, here are a few ideas.
- Hot chocolate
- Coffee
- Espresso martinis
- Whipped cream (for dipping)
- Skrewball whiskey
- Vanilla ice cream
Why You Should Make This Recipe
Creamy peanut butter candies wrapped in velvety chocolate — why wouldn’t you make this recipe, right? If you have any reservations, though, here are a few things that make buckeyes a perfect dessert.
- Easy – This simple recipe is so easy to whip up quickly and only requires a few simple ingredients.
- Portable – Buckeye candies are perfect for keeping in the fridge, of course, but you can also easily take them to any party, cookout, or bake sale.
- Convenient – You likely have most of these ingredients already handy in your pantry.
- Delicious – These sweet treats are an absolute crowd-pleaser!
Variations and Add-ins
- Mini chocolate chips
- Crunchy peanut butter
- Crushed nuts
- Chocolate sprinkles
- A little powdered sugar
- Flaky sea salt
- Crushed graham crackers
- Spices (cayenne, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes)
- Bacon
- Mini marshmallows
- Chocolate candy like mini M&Ms
- Crushed candies
- Dark chocolate (instead of semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
If you love this easy recipe for Buckeyes, you’re going to love these other no-bake treats too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
Other Decadent Desserts
More Great Homemade Candy Recipes
- Candied Pecans
- Meringue Cookies
- Easy No-Cook Fudge
- Oreo Peppermint Bark
- Divinity Candy
- No-Bake Chocolate Haystacks
- Homemade Gumdrops
- Sugar Cookie Truffles
- Chocolate Nut Clusters
- Microwave Peanut Brittle
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Buckeyes
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter – creamy
- 5 tbsp butter – unsalted
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 7 ounces chocolate chips – semi-sweet or milk
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
Instructions
- Place a piece of parchment on a baking sheet. Set aside.
- Combine the peanut butter,butter, and vanilla in a mixing bowl.
- Beat on med-high until creamy and well blended.
- Lower the speed and slowly mix in the confectioner’s sugar until completely combined. The dough should start to pull itself away from the sides of the bowl.
- Use a small cookie scoop and portion out rounds of the dough. Roll it between your hands to smooth it out and then place it on the prepared baking sheet.
- Once all of the dough has been rolled, place the baking sheet in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes or until the dough is firm.
- Place the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small bowl or wide-mouth glass.
- Heat the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals at 50% power, stirring in-between each round. Take care to not overcook and size the chocolate.
- Once the chocolate is completely melted and smooth, remove the chilled peanut butter balls from the fridge.
- Place a toothpick in the center of each of the peanut butter balls.
- Gently dip each into the melted chocolate, taking care to only coat them 3/4 of the way up to leave the classic Buckeye look.
- Place the dipped Buckeyes back on the tray.
- Once complete, chill them again until the chocolate has set.
- Remove the toothpicks prior to serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
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