Buckeye Candy
Move over Christmas cookies, buckeye candy is one of my all-time favorite holiday desserts! Buckeyes are no-bake, creamy peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate. We eat these all year, along with these old-fashioned lunch lady brownies. Also? Don’t miss my M&M cookies.
I won’t bore you with a bunch of history about the origin of buckeye candy, but as an Ohioan, this is a special recipe!
Want to get straight to the buckeye candy recipe? Just scroll to the bottom of the page to skip the extras here! ?
The buckeye tree is the state tree of Ohio. While I’m not a football fan (shh… don’t tell anyone), we’ve also managed to personify this nut by way of Brutus Buckeye, The Ohio State University mascot.
I hope I don’t get hate mail for admitting that I’m oblivious to football! ?
Easy Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls
Here’s what I definitely CAN get behind. These ultra-rich and creamy chocolate-dipped peanut butter balls. Oh, my word… homemade buckeyes are so very good.
You may think that making buckeyes is a chore, but it’s actually pretty simple!
You’ll need to have these ingredients on hand to make these easy buckeyes. you can find the full recipe instructions below in the printable recipe card.
- creamy peanut butter (psst… try my peanut butter fudge)
- butter
- vanilla
- salt
- confectioners’ sugar
- semi-sweet chocolate chips
- vegetable shortening
How to Make Buckeye Candy
Using an electric mixer, beat together peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and salt until light and fluffy.
Next, beat in the confectioners’ sugar a little at a time until well combined. Shape into balls using approximately 2 teaspoons in each ball.
Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment or waxed paper. Chill for a minimum of 30 minutes before dipping in chocolate.
Meanwhile, in a double boiler over low heat, melt together the chocolate chips and shortening, stirring often, until smooth and creamy. Transfer to a small bowl for dipping.
Insert a toothpick into each ball and dip into the chocolate leaving a little of the peanut butter showing on the top.
Allow excess chocolate to drip off. Place back on the cookie sheet, remove the toothpick and refrigerate until chocolate is set.
Buckeye Candy Tips
I used a small metal bowl set overtop a small saucepan of simmering water to melt the chocolate.
Please use a processed, creamy peanut butter like Skippy or Jif. I don’t recommend trying to natural peanut butter as they are too oily and won’t give you the proper consistency.
How to Store Buckeyes
Keep buckeyes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one month. I actually prefer eating buckeyes very cold! There’s something about the texture of that cold peanut butter I love!
You can also freeze buckeyes in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
There are some recipes that I simply must enjoy every Christmas season. These easy buckeyes are one of those desserts that remind me of good times with friends and family throughout the years.
Maybe this is the Christmas season that you can make buckeyes a part of your holiday festivities!
Do you LOVE PEANUT BUTTER? Don’t miss my Peanut Butter Fudge recipe and these Peanut Butter Blossoms.
If you give my easy recipe a try, please be sure to pin it to your favorite boards on Pinterest so others can find it.
I’d also love to hear your results in the comment section below. I read and appreciate every single comment!
Merry Christmas! ?
More Delicious Recipes
- Crock Pot Candied Spiced Nuts
- Andes Mint Bars
- Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
- Leftover Holiday Ham Casserole
- Potato Corn Chowder
- Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
Buckeye Candy
Creamy peanut butter balls dipped in decadent chocolate make these easy buckeyes the perfect dessert to enjoy during the holidays, or anytime!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 3½ cups confectioners’ sugar
- 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening
Instructions
- Using an electric mixer, beat together peanut butter, butter, vanilla and salt until light and fluffy. Beat in the confectioners’ sugar a little at a time until well combined. Shape into balls using approximately 2 teaspoons in each ball. Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment or waxed paper. Chill for a minimum of 30 minutes before dipping.
- Meanwhile, in a double boiler over low heat, melt together the chocolate chips and shortening, stirring often, until smooth and creamy. Transfer to a small bowl for dipping.
- Insert a toothpick into each ball and dip into the chocolate leaving a little of the peanut butter showing on the top. Place back on the cookie sheet, remove the toothpick and refrigerate until chocolate is set.
Notes
I used a small metal bowl set overtop a small saucepan of simmering water to melt the chocolate.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 45 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 161Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 64mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 1gSugar: 15gProtein: 2g
My recipe I got years ago calls for a little paraffin wax melted with the chocolate. Without it, does the chocolate adhere/stay on?
Hi Donna! It works very well and adheres fine! Let me know if you try it. 🙂
I have been making these for years at Xmas time and give them as gifts for my husbands co-workers, mailman, neighbors, etc. I make (are you ready?) 100 DOZEN every year! And everyone loves them and ask are you going to make them again this year?
Elizabeth, you are a buckeye-PRO! I’m sure you are very well-loved during the holiday season!! 🙂 Thanks for commenting and Merry Christmas!
I forgot to add that I also use the white chocolate morsels and they are so good!
Could you use avocado oil in the chocolate instead of shortening?
I love your recipes…thank you!!
Hi Tamera, I haven’t tried it so I’m not for sure… I would probably go for coconut oil if you’re looking for a substitute since it would be closer to the texture of shortening when set.
Do you think I could use margarine instead of butter? I have a dairy sensitive person in my family. Thanks!
Rhonda, I haven’t tried it, but I think it should be okay!
I’ve also been making these for years now, except I also add rice krispies (rolled out in baggie) adds a lil crunch to them enjoy! And Merry Christmas!
I have used Margarine in mine but I omitted the salt they turned out wonderful, my dipping chocolate was almond bark which I prefer to the semi-sweet chocolate. instead of a double boiler I use a really small crockpot used for dips. works great.
can you freeze & for how long?
I just finished making the Buckeye Candy and the flavor is delicious! But, I could not get my chocolate chips to get thin enough to roll the ball in. I kept stirring and over simmering water the whole time I was working with it. What is the secret to a much thinner coating that will cover the balls nicely? I had a real mess on my hands and lost a few of the candies because they broke apart while trying to coat them Of course I HAD to eat them and they are great but I don’t understand why the chocolate was so thick. I even added more shortening and the helped a bit, but, alas, they were very difficult to manage.