If you're craving a delightful homemade treat that perfectly combines creamy peanut butter with rich chocolate, then you're in for a treat after learning how to make buckeye balls. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, these sweet peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate are sure to become a favorite no bake treat in your household.
Be sure to check out my No Bake Oreo Balls too!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy buckeye recipe that requires only a handful of ingredients.
- Perfect for the holiday season or any time you need a sweet pick-me-up.
- A delightful combination of creamy peanut butter center and chocolate coating.
- Great for an indulgent treat or as a homemade gift for loved ones.
Ingredients for creamy peanut butter balls
- Creamy peanut butter
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar (confectioners' sugar)
- Semisweet chocolate chips
- Shortening
Equipment and kitchen tools
- large bowl
- small microwave-safe bowl.
- baking sheet
- toothpicks
- spoon
- wax paper or parchment
How to make buckeye balls
Line baking sheets with waxed paper or parchment paper.
In a large bowl, beat together the sugar, peanut butter, vanilla, and softened butter until smooth.
Roll the peanut butter mixture into 1-inch balls, ensuring they are rounded, and place them on a baking sheet in a single layer.
Insert a toothpick into each ball.
Freeze for 20 minutes, or chill in the fridge for an hour.
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and shortening in 30-second increments until smooth.
Dip each peanut butter ball into the bowl of melted chocolate, allowing excess chocolate to drip off, and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet to set. Repeat for the remaining balls.
Tips for the Best Results
- Use room temperature butter for easier mixing.
- Chill the peanut butter balls before dipping them in chocolate for better coating.
- Store buckeyes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for freshness.
- For a colorful touch, add festive sprinkles to the top of the buckeye candies before the chocolate sets.
- Leave the bottom of the buckeyes chocolate-free for an authentic buckeye look.
- You can make these with crunchy peanut butter for a fun twist.
- Use a fork if you don't have toothpicks to dip balls into the chocolate coating.
- Serve buckeyes at room temperature
- Use a small cookie scoop to make perfect balls.
Substitutions and Variations
- Substitute milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate for a different flavor.
- Use natural peanut butter for a healthier alternative.
- Experiment with different coatings, such as crushed peanuts or coconut flakes.
- For a nut-free version, try using sunflower seed butter.
FAQs About This Recipe
Yes, but the texture will be different.
Buckeyes can be placed in the fridge for 4 days or in the in the freezer up to 30 days after being made for an easy sweet treat.
Yes, place them in an air-tight container like a zip-top freezer bag and store them for up to three months.
More yummy peanut butter recipes
📖 Recipe
Peanut Butter Buckeyes
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar confectioners' sugar
- ¾. cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoons shortening
Instructions
- Line baking sheets with waxed paper or parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat the sugar, peanut butter, vanilla and butter until smooth.
- Roll the peanut butter mixture into 1-inch balls. Be sure to round out the balls and place them on a cookie sheet in a single layer.
- Place a toothpick in each ball.
- Freeze for 20 min or chill for an hour.
- Melt the chocolate chips and shortening in the microwave for 30 seconds on High and stir.
- Return to microwave and warm chocolate by heating in 30-second increments until chocolate is smooth and melted
- Dip each ball into the melted chocolate, let the excess chocolate drip off and and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet to set. Repeat for remaining balls.
Nutrition
We hope you loved this buckeye candy recipe. These homemade treats are a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season
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Lori
Recipe calls for a teaspoon of vanilla but is not included in the directions.
Raquel
Good catch Lori! Thank you for letting me know. I have updated the directions.