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Peanut Butter Buckeyes

Peanut butter buckeyes are a family favorite Christmas treat. Sweet, no-bake peanut butter balls dipped in rich chocolate – what’s not to love?

peanut butter buckeyes on a plate

Growing up, my favorite Christmas sweet treat was always my mom’s peanut butter buckeyes. 

They are a staple for ANYONE celebrating Christmas in Ohio. 

How could someone from the Buckeye State not indulge in the candy version of the famous Buckeye? 

If you’re not sure what a real buckeye is, it’s the nut from the buckeye tree! Which, of course, is the Ohio state tree! And the name of The Ohio State mascot, Brutus the Buckeye! 

For some reason, this candy treat was only made around Christmas, so to me, this is a full-on Christmas treat. 

But they can be enjoyed year-round as well. 

Need more chocolate peanut butter in your life? Try my Buckeye Bars, Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate, or my No-Bake Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Granola Bars.

peanut butter buckeyes in a jar with a hand reaching to take one

What is a peanut butter buckeye?

It’s a sweet peanut butter ball dipped 3/4 of the way in chocolate. 

They are the PERFECT holiday tray treat and something I grew up with every single Christmas. They are so good! 

What is a real buckeye?

It’s a small hard nut that falls from the buckeye tree. 

This is the state tree of Ohio, so growing up, these trees are EVERYWHERE. We used to collect the nuts for decoration or to throw at our siblings. 

They look very similar to a chestnuts but with a lighter-colored center. Speaking of, if you’re looking for a delicious chestnut recipe, try my Spice Butter Roasted Chestnuts!

However, real buckeye nuts are poisonous so never ever eat them!

These candies are the perfect sweet interpretation. 

a plate of peanut butter buckeyes

Using different nut butter

You can use different nut butter, but you must make a few changes. 

Because most natural nut butter contains much oil, it tends to be looser than most processed peanut butter. 

That means the buckeye ball will be harder to form and keep its shape at room temperature. 

You should add something like almond flour or almond meal to help bring a little more stability to the mixture. 

a hand holding a peanut butter buckeye

Using natural peanut butter

You’ll want to follow the same directions as substituting to alternate nut butter. 

I mainly use “processed” peanut butter because it’s smooth and less oily than natural peanut butter. 

This results in an easier-to-make candy. 

peanut butter buckeyes with a bite taken out of them

Making buckeyes vegan

Of course! 

You’ll want to swap in maple syrup for the powdered sugar, use vegan chocolate, and add a little almond flour or almond meal to the natural peanut butter to help give the buckeye shape. 

This will substantially change the original recipe, but you should still be able to get a tasty vegan peanut butter buckeye that looks and tastes just as great. 

overhead shot of peanut butter buckeyes

Storing peanut butter balls

Typically, I store them in an airtight container in a cool room for a few weeks. 

I will usually line a storage container with parchment paper and store them in 2 layers per container. 

Freezing peanut butter buckeyes

Yes! One of my favorite things is to make these about a month before Christmas, store them tightly in airtight containers, and then let them come to room temperature before serving. 

They freeze beautifully and taste as good as the day you made them. 

I have frozen them for up to 3 months but typically try to eat them all within a month for optimal taste and texture. 

peanut butter buckeye with a bite out of it on a plate

Using couverture chocolate

Couverture chocolate is high-quality chocolate with a higher amount of cocoa butter, making it the perfect chocolate for dipping your buckeyes or any other type of dipped candy. 

Finding couverture chocolate

I have found couverture chocolate at my local bakery store, but I realize that is not an option for everyone. 

You can easily find it on Amazon, or you can use chocolate almond bark, which is a vegetable oil chocolate-flavored solid that can be melted down and used for dipping. 

You can also melt chocolate chips and add 1/4 cup coconut oil or vegetable shortening per pound of chocolate. 

You’ll want to thin out “normal” chocolate because it coats the candy in a thicker shell than needed. 

Plus, it’s easier to dip when you’re not trying to wipe off thick drips of chocolate. 

Another great use for dipping chocolate is these delicious coconut balls!

close up photo of peanut butter buckeyes

More Christmas dessert recipes

peanut butter buckeyes on a plate

Peanut Butter Buckeyes

Peanut butter buckeyes are a family favorite Christmas treat. Sweet peanut butter balls dipped in rich chocolate – what's not to love?
4.50 from 4 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Resting Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Servings 4 dozen

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces creamy peanut butter
  • 8 ounces unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 5-6 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 pound semisweet couverture chocolate you can also use chocolate confectionery coating or add vegetable shortening/coconut oil to melted chocolate to thin it out, about a quarter cup per pound of chocolate, add more if necessary

Instructions

  • Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper, set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer add peanut butter, softened unsalted butter, and vanilla extract.
  • Using the paddle attachment, mix until smooth.
  • Slowly mix in the powdered sugar until it form into a thick stiff dough. This usually takes a minimum of 5 cups of powdered sugar.
  • I know the dough is ready when I can roll it into a ball and it will be able to hold it’s shape and not feel too soft.
  • Roll 2 teaspoons of dough into a round ball and set on the parchment paper.
  • When all the dough is rolled add the rolled balls to the freezer or refridgerator to cool for at least an hour.
  • When you’re reading to dip your buckeyes add your chocolate to a microwave safe bowl and cook in 30 second increments until fully melted, about 60-90 seconds total. Making sure to stir the chocolate fully in between each 30 second increment.
  • Remove the balls from the refridgerator and stick a toothpick into the center of the ball.
  • Dip the buckeye 3/4 of the way in the melted chocolate, making sure to leave the middle of the buckeye exposed like in the photo, using another toothpick scrape the bottom of the buckeye to remove any extra dripping chocolate, and add the buckeye back to the sheet pan lined with parchment paper to help set up.
  • Continue until all the buckeyes have been dipped. If the balls become too soft while dipping pop them back in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes to help firm up.
  • Let the balls harden in the refrigerator for at least 45 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Use normal peanut butter vs. natural peanut butter. It holds up better to the process.
  • I can find couverture chocolate at my local bakery supply store but you can also use chocolate almond bark for dipping, or add 1/4 cup vegetable shortening or coconut oil to every 1 pound melted chocolate.
  • You can leave the hole at the top of the buckeye or gently press on the ball to cover the hole.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 1685kcal | Carbohydrates: 237g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 152g | Saturated Fat: 70g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g | Monounsaturated Fat: 56g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 499mg | Potassium: 655mg | Fiber: 17g | Sugar: 50g | Vitamin A: 1417IU | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 2mg
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword buckeye candy, peanut butter balls, peanut butter buckeyes, peanut butter candy
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Brandy

About Brandy!

I am a food lover and recipe developer bringing you delicious recipes that taste great and are easy to make! My food is inspired by travels around the world and my love of flavorful food. A list of things that make me happy: cats, Coke Zero, houseplants, and travel. Read more...

Recipe Rating




erica @ fashionmeetsfood

Thursday 6th of January 2011

Love your recipe! The one I have is awful. Definitely giving this one a try!

xo

Peanut butter and chocolate

Sunday 2nd of January 2011

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)

hungryandfrozen

Monday 27th of December 2010

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 :)

Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction

Sunday 26th of December 2010

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.

Dana - Food for Thought

Sunday 26th of December 2010

These sound fun! I love anything with pb and chocolate... I bet they are awesome!

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