You can make this easy Buckeye candy recipe in just a few minutes with a handful of simple ingredients. Buckeyes are like peanut butter balls partly covered in chocolate, and they’re absolutely delicious! They’re no-bake, super simple to prepare, and you can even make them ahead of time. Just store them in the fridge and grab one whenever you’re in the mood. Buckeyes are a favorite homemade treat, great for Christmas but perfect for enjoying any time of year!
Buckeye candies are one of the simplest treats to make! With just a few basic ingredients and no need to bake, you can create creamy peanut butter centers ready to dip in rich chocolate.
Peanut butter and chocolate are a classic combo, who could resist a Buckeye? These treats have a creamy peanut butter flavor that’s not too sweet, making them incredibly satisfying.
Named after the nuts of Ohio’s buckeye tree, Buckeyes are peanut butter fudge balls partially dipped in chocolate. This recipe shows how a few simple ingredients can come together to create something absolutely irresistible. They’re like peanut butter cookie balls with a chocolate coating, but even better! And don’t worry about the dipping part, I’ll share tips to make it easy and ensure they turn out perfect every time!
Jump to:
⭐Why You'll Love This Buckeye Candy
- Easy to Make: This recipe is simple with just a few ingredients you probably already have. No fancy tools or techniques, just mix, roll, chill, dip, and enjoy!
- No-Bake Delight: No oven needed! This no-bake candy is perfect for making something tasty without the hassle of baking.
- Great for Gifting: Buckeyes look beautiful and make perfect gifts for holidays, birthdays, or special occasions. Just box them up or wrap them in cellophane for a sweet, impressive treat.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Buckeyes are great all year round, from holiday parties to cozy movie nights. They’re a go-to treat for any time!
🧾Buckeye Ingredients
Here’s the breakdown of what’s in this Buckeye:
For Peanut Butter Balls:
- Peanut Butter: I love using smooth peanut butter for its rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture. It’s the base of the candy, but you can swap it for almond, cashew, or any nut butter you like.
- Butter: I use room-temperature unsalted butter to give the mixture smoothness and help create soft, melt-in-your-mouth balls. You can use margarine or vegan butter for a dairy-free option.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla adds a subtle, aromatic sweetness that really enhances the peanut butter flavor.
- Salt: Just a pinch of salt helps balance the sweetness and brings out the rich peanut butter taste.
- Powdered Sugar: This sweetens the mix and gives it the right texture, helping the balls hold their shape.
For Covering:
- Dark Chocolate: I prefer dark chocolate for its rich, slightly bitter taste, which contrasts beautifully with the sweet peanut butter. You can use milk, semi-sweet, or even white chocolate if that’s what you like.
- Vegetable Oil: A little vegetable oil in the chocolate makes it easier to dip and gives it a nice, glossy finish.
- Toothpicks: I use toothpicks to dip the balls without making a mess, keeps them neat while coating in chocolate.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Buckeye
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to blend peanut butter, softened butter, vanilla, and salt until creamy.
2. Stir powdered sugar into the peanut butter mixture until it forms a dough.
3. Roll the mixture into small balls (1 tablespoon each) and place them on a parchment-lined cutting board.
4. Chill the peanut butter balls for 30 minutes or until firm to keep their shape while dipping.
5. Melt the dark chocolate with the oil in a microwave-safe bowl, then stir until smooth and shiny.
6. Stick a toothpick into each peanut butter ball, dip it in melted chocolate, leaving the top exposed, and let the excess drip off.
7. Place the dipped balls on the parchment-lined cutting board and smooth the hole with the toothpick.
8. Refrigerate for 30 more minutes or until the chocolate hardens.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Pick the Right Peanut Butter: Stick with regular creamy peanut butter, natural ones with extra oil can make the mix too soft to handle.
Use Room-Temperature Ingredients: Let your peanut butter and butter warm up a bit before mixing. It helps everything blend smoothly.
Keep Sizes Even: Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to make evenly sized balls. This makes chilling and dipping much easier.
Dip Like a Pro: Gently insert the toothpick, dip the ball in chocolate, and rotate to let the excess drip off. This keeps the coating smooth and even. Use a bent spoon to hold the buckeye securely while dipping it into the chocolate and lifting it out smoothly.
Classic Buckeye Look: Leave a little peanut butter showing on top for that signature Buckeye style.
Fix the Toothpick Hole: After dipping, smooth the hole with your fingertip or the flat end of the toothpick for a polished finish.
Store Smart: Layer the buckeyes in an airtight container with parchment or wax paper in between to keep them from sticking.
❓Commonly Asked Questions
Buckeyes are a popular confectionery treat made from a mixture of peanut butter and powdered sugar, shaped into balls, and dipped in chocolate. They are named after the buckeye tree's nuts, which have a similar appearance to the finished candy.
🍰More Peanut Butter Recipes to Try!
If you love using peanut butter when you are cooking, then check out the following recipes for inspiration:
🍛More Dessert Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite dessert recipes! Try these:
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my Newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for all the latest updates.
📖 Recipe
Buckeye Candy Recipe
Ingredients
For Peanut Butter Balls:
- 250 g Peanut Butter
- 80 g Butter
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt
- 250 g Powdered Sugar
For Covering:
- 200 g Dark Chocolate
- 2 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
- Toothpicks
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, softened butter, vanilla extract, and salt with a hand mixer. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Add the powdered sugar to the peanut butter mixture, stirring well. The mixture should form a dough-like consistency.
- Roll the mixture into small balls, about 2-3 cm in diameter (roughly 1 tablespoon of mixture per ball). Place the balls on a cutting board lined with parchment paper.
- Refrigerate the peanut butter balls for at least 30 minutes, or until firm. This helps them hold their shape during dipping.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the dark chocolate with the vegetable oil. Stir until smooth and glossy.
- Insert a toothpick into the center of each peanut butter ball. Dip the ball into the melted chocolate, leaving the top exposed to create the "buckeye" look. Let excess chocolate drip off.
- Place the dipped balls back onto the parchment-lined cutting board. Smooth over the toothpick hole by lightly patting it with the toothpick.
- Refrigerate for another 30 minutes or until the chocolate coating is set.
- Once set, you can enjoy these delicious buckeyes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Sandra says
These Buckeyes are the perfect treat! They're rich, creamy, and oh-so-chocolatey. The peanut butter filling is perfectly balanced with the smooth chocolate coating. They're easy to make and even easier to eat!