Buckeyes

Name: Buckeyes
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Yield: 2 - 3 dz.
Ingredients: 1 c. creamy peanut butter; 6 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature; 2 c. powdered sugar; 2 tsp. vanilla extract; 1/2 tsp. kosher salt; 2 (3.5-oz.) dark (70% cocoa) bars, roughly chopped; Jimmies sprinkles (optional)

Chocolate and peanut butter are a match made in heaven!

By Hannah KlingerUpdated: Dec 8, 2023

Recipe by Sloane Layton

Be the first to review!

Jump to recipe

Yields:

2 - 3 dz.

Prep Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 25 mins

You don't have to be an Ohio State fan to love these super easy peanut butter and chocolate buckeyes! Honestly, who doesn't love a peanut butter recipe, especially when it's combined with chocolate? This candy got its start in a home cook's kitchen back in the 1960s—its perfect imperfection is part of its charm. They look like the nuts of a buckeye tree, hence the name. Here's a genius trick for dipping the peanut butter balls in chocolate: Pour the melted chocolate into a mug so the chocolate stays warm and the balls are easy to dunk. Using a toothpick to skewer the peanut butter balls makes the process even simpler! Make this Christmas candy as a sweet treat for the holidays or any time of year, especially on game day if you root for the Ohio State Buckeyes. It makes a great homemade food gift, too!

Is a buckeye a cookie or candy?

This rich, sweet treat is candy all the way! A no-bake dessert, all this candy requires is some mixing, shaping, and dipping. It's a perfect little chocolaty bite to add to Christmas cookie plates or to round out a holiday dessert spread.

What do you do if the peanut butter mixture is too soft?

You can shape the peanut butter mixture into balls for the buckeyes right after mixing, but if it's hard to work with, freeze it for a couple minutes. The warmth from your hands will soften the mixture just enough to shape into smooth, round balls. Be sure to freeze for 30 minutes after shaping so they get an even coat of chocolate.

Can you use natural peanut butter for buckeyes?

The texture of natural peanut butter is a bit looser than regular peanut butter so the mixture may not firm up as well. Since the oil also separates more easily in natural peanut butter, the balls may seem a little greasy. For this recipe, go ahead and use regular creamy peanut butter.

Can buckeyes be frozen?

They sure can! Once the chocolate has set, place the buckeyes in a freezer-safe container and freeze them for up to two months. To thaw, place the buckeyes in the fridge and allow them to thaw overnight.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Ingredients

1 cup
creamy peanut butter
6 Tbsp.
unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups
powdered sugar
2 tsp.
vanilla extract
1/2 tsp.
kosher salt
2
(3.5-oz.) dark (70% cocoa) bars, roughly chopped
Jimmies sprinkles (optional)

Directions

1. Step 1In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the peanut butter and butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl, as needed.
2. Step 2Using a tablespoon, divide the peanut butter mixture into about 28 portions, using your palms to quickly roll them into balls until smooth (chill the balls if they are getting too soft to work with). Place the balls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes. Reshape the balls once chilled, if needed.
3. Step 3Fill the bottom of a medium saucepan with about 1 inch of water and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Place the chopped chocolate in a dry, heat-proof glass or ceramic bowl that is slightly larger than the saucepan. The bowl should sit on top of the pan without its bottom touching the water.
4. Step 4Reduce the heat to medium-low. Place the bowl of chocolate over the saucepan of water. Heat the chocolate, stirring occasionally with a dry rubber spatula, until the chocolate is mostly smooth and melted, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the bowl from the saucepan and continue stirring until the residual heat melts the remaining chocolate and the mixture is smooth (return the bowl to the saucepan, if needed). Pour the chocolate into a heat-safe mug.
5. Step 5Skewer 1 peanut butter ball with a toothpick. Dip the ball 3/4 of the way in the chocolate, leaving a small round of peanut butter showing. Allow excess chocolate to drip off. Return the ball to the parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle the sides with jimmies, if desired. Remove the toothpick and carefully smooth over the hole. Repeat the dipping process with the remaining peanut butter balls, reserving the remaining melted chocolate for another use. Chill the buckeyes until the chocolate is set, about 30 minutes.

Tip: Buckeyes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Recipe bySloane Layton

Sloane Layton is a trained chef, recipe developer and regular contributor to ThePioneerWoman.com. An avid bread baker and pastry connoisseur, when she’s not proofing sourdough, she enjoys traveling, and is always on the hunt for the flakiest croissant.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below