The Ohio Buckeye is the official tree of the state of Ohio. Ohio State University’s mascot is Brutus the Buckeye. Ohio’s favorite candy is of course the Buckeye!
If you have never had a buckeye before you are in for a HUGE treat. I have grown up eating these beauties every Christmas since I can remember. In fact, we only ate them at Christmas. I’m not sure why that is considering they are only peanut butter and chocolate….nothing overly festive about that. However, I personally do not think they would taste right if I ate them at any other time of the year. Anyone else feel this way about a specific food? Is it just me?
When you make the peanut butter filling it’s important to get the right texture. You will know the filling is ready when you go to roll it into balls it sticks together without being to soft. If it’s to soft it will fall off the toothpick when you attempt to dip it in the chocolate. Buckeyes also freeze beautifully. I usually make them two weeks before Christmas and just store them in the freezer until I’m ready to plate them. Let them reach room temperature before devouring 
Oh one quick note. They do not have be rolled into perfect balls. I think it’s fun to have them all a little misshaped Sorta like a real buckeye. I also feel as though the toothpick hole is part of the candy. Some people like to smooth out the hole but I like to think of it as part of the character of the candy
Buckeyes:
1/2 pound of powdered sugar
18 oz jar of creamy peanut butter
2 sticks margarine or butter
1 pound semisweet couverture chocolate (you can also use chocolate confectionery coating or add vegetable shortening to melted chocolate to thin it out, about a quarter cup per pound of chocolate, add more if necessary)
Melt the butter, add the peanut butter and once it is all melted and smooth. Add the powdered sugar and mix well. If you do this by hand it can get very tough so I recommend using a stand mixer with paddle attachment. I would not recommend using a hand mixer. You would probably burn out the motor because of the stiffness of the filling.
Roll into balls. Put them on a parchment lined cookie sheet and set in refrigerator to cool and harden. I usually let them sit overnight. You can also put them in the freezer to speed this process up.
When you are ready to dip your buckeyes start melting your chocolate. I recommend using a double boiler for this process.
Put a toothpick in top of the cold peanut butter ball and dip about 3/4 of the ball. Leaving some of the peanut butter showing. Set on to parchment paper and let chocolate harden. You can store them in an air tight container or freeze them.
They look so beautiful. I have never seen a Buckeye but these ones are lovely.
If there’s one candy/Christmas treat that I really have to make soon, it’s the buckeye. I mean, it’s basically chocolate and PB heaven!
Great job, they look fantastic.
I’ve never had a Buckeye but sure would love to try one! I love chocolate and peanut butter!
I love buckeyes, but have never made them. My sister made them every year:) They look great, Brandy!
OMG…I have say, I went absolutely crazy for these when I got your box!!! They were ahhhhhmazinnnnnng. I will absolutely be making these soon!
Why did I think there was graham cracker crumbs in buckeyes? You cant go wrong with PB and chocolate in my book!
Have a very Merry Christmas!
These look AMAZING! Peanut butter and chocolate…it doesn’t get any better than that! Great pic too.
I’ve never had buckeyes, sounds like a scrumptious treat for sure, yum!
These look wonderful – I’ve heard of buckeyes but never actually had them. I know I would love them though
This is the first time I’ve heard of buckeyes. What a fun tradition.
What a GREAT story! I have never heard of them and yours are GORGEOUS. I now have to google the read think. These must taste like Reeses Pieces, but better – as they are homemade.
I love hearing about regional traditions like this.
Merry Christmas!!!!
Valerie
When I moved to Virginia from Ohio, no one down there had tried them before either….I made a lot of converts! They look beautiful Brandy and I have to say, now that I’m back in Ohio…I have eaten way more buckeyes this week than I am proud of!!
Ive never had buckeyes, but I know they are good! How can they not be, look at those fab ingredients. I looooooooove peanut butter.
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas
*kisses* HH
classic. you don’t have to be from ohio to appreciate these!
These sound fun! I love anything with pb and chocolate… I bet they are awesome!
Our neighbors are from Ohio and brought us a plate of cookies last week. I gobbled up all of the Buckeyes from the plate. Yum!
Though I’m not from Ohio, I think I have to add these to my holiday repertoire.
I’ve never seen a buckeye before but I googled them and these really look like them
Loooove the combination of peanut butter and chocolate, think I’ll definitely have to try these out sooner rather than later. And I know what you mean about appreciating certain foods at Christmas 
This sounds and looks pretty great.
I’d love to make me a batch before the week is out.
Thank you very much for the recipe,
Itai Matos (TFIM)
Love your recipe! The one I have is awful. Definitely giving this one a try!
xo