Buckeye Candy

No bake creamy peanut butter bliss is rolled into a ball and dipped in chocolate coating in this classic buckeye candy recipe. Great for holiday gift-giving or year-round snacking!

Why this recipe works

These chocolate-dipped peanut butter balls are dubbed buckeye candy because they resemble the nuts of an Ohio buckeye tree. A circle of peanut butter peeks out a ring of chocolate coating, which also happens to look like the eye of a buck.

So, what do they taste like? Buckeyes are a no-bake confection, similar to fudge, made up of creamy peanut butter, sugar, and chocolate. Sweet, soft (unless enjoyed chilled), and filled with nutty perfection. These little morsels are so good we’ve even made them into buckeye brownie cookies. They’re basically a different version of chocolate peanut butter balls with a circle of peanut butter poking out the top.

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

PEANUT BUTTER – Regular creamy peanut butter, such as Skippy or Jiff, is best for this recipe. I would not recommend using natural peanut butter as it tends to separate.

CHOCOLATE – Use good quality chocolate chips or chopped baking chocolate for this recipe – either milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate can be used.

OIL – You can substitute the coconut oil with vegetable oil. The oil will help melt the chocolate smoothly and make dipping a breeze.

How to Make Buckeye Candy

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Add the peanut butter, butter, vanilla, salt, and powdered sugar to a large bowl. Use a handheld electric beater to mix until well-combined, about 5 to 8 minutes. (The mixture will be crumbly, but should form balls when you press it together.)
2. Use a 1-tablespoon scoop to measure out the peanut butter mixture and roll it into balls. Place the balls on a parchment paper-lined baking tray and chill for 1 hour in the fridge.
3. After the peanut butter balls are chilled, melt the chocolate in 30-second intervals in the microwave, stirring in between each. Stir in the coconut oil.
4. Working with one candy at a time, place a toothpick in the center of a peanut butter ball and dip it into the melted chocolate. When you dip it, leave some of the peanut butter showing on the top, and let the excess chocolate drip off. Put the chocolate-dipped peanut butter ball back onto the tray and continue until all the peanut butter balls are dipped.
5. Chill for 30 minutes, and then use your finger to smooth the hole in the peanut butter where the toothpick was inserted.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

In a single layer, store the buckeyes in an air-tight container or large ziptop bag kept in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. You can store them at room temperature for 1-2 days (they get a little too soft after being at room temp for a while).

Yes, you can freeze buckeyes. To do so, flash freeze them on a baking sheet until solid (this will keep them from sticking together when freezing). Transfer the buckeyes to a large ziptop bag or air-tight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight for best results. You can thaw them at room temperature for 30-45 minutes, but the chocolate will sweat.

Yes, absolutely. Prepare the buckeye candy a day or two in advance and store them in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator.

Yes, although you might have a difficult time forming them into balls. If you like the additional texture of nuts, you can try rolling the chocolate portion of the coated balls in chopped peanuts – do so right after you dip them in the chocolate so the nuts will adhere.

Serving Suggestions

Serve buckeye candy chilled for the best texture. Feel free to use your favorite type of chocolate for the coating – milk, semi-sweet, or dark all pair well against the peanut butter balls. Optionally garnish with flaked sea salt.

You can roll the candies in chopped nuts or sprinkles if desired. Do so right after dipping the balls in chocolate. Enjoy!

More Peanut Butter Recipes

• Peanut Butter Cups
• No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
• Buckeye Brownie Cookies

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