This buckeyes recipe makes smooth peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate with a signature circle of peanut butter showing on top. The candies have a creamy center that holds its shape and a thin chocolate shell that sets firm at room temperature.
The recipe takes 45 minutes including chilling time and makes 48 candies. The peanut butter mixture needs just enough powdered sugar to hold a ball shape without cracking, and the chocolate must be at 90°F for a thin even coating.
Table of contents
Why This Buckeyes Recipe Works
- The 2 to 1 ratio of peanut butter to powdered sugar creates a firm center that does not collapse when dipped.
- Chilling the peanut butter balls for 30 minutes before dipping keeps them from sliding off the toothpick.
- Melting the chocolate with shortening thins the coating so each buckeye recipe candy gets a smooth shell instead of a thick clumpy layer.
Buckeyes Recipe
Buckeyes Recipe
48
servings30
minutes5
minutes90
kcalBuckeyes are peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate with a signature circle of peanut butter showing on top. The recipe takes 45 minutes including chilling time and makes 48 candies using a 2 to 1 ratio of peanut butter to powdered sugar for a firm creamy center.
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Ingredients
2 cups creamy peanut butter
1 cup powdered sugar
4 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 teaspoons shortening
Directions
- Mix the peanut butter filling: combine the peanut butter, powdered sugar, softened butter, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Stir with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and holds together when pressed. The mixture should be firm enough to roll into a ball without sticking to your hands.
- Roll the peanut butter balls: scoop 1 tablespoon of the mixture and roll it between your palms into a smooth ball. Place each ball on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You should have 48 balls. Refrigerate for 30 minutes until firm to the touch.
- Melt the chocolate: combine the chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 15 second bursts, stirring between each one, for 1 to 2 minutes total. Stop when the chocolate is smooth and flows off a spoon in a thin stream.
- Dip the peanut butter balls: insert a toothpick into the top of one chilled ball. Dip the ball three quarters of the way into the melted chocolate, leaving a circle of peanut butter showing on top. Let the excess chocolate drip back into the bowl for 3 seconds. Place the ball back on the parchment paper and gently remove the toothpick. Use a second toothpick to smooth chocolate over the hole.
- Set the buckeyes: repeat with the remaining balls. Let the buckeyes sit at room temperature for 30 minutes until the chocolate is firm and no longer tacky. The chocolate will set with a slight sheen.
Notes
- The 2 to 1 ratio of peanut butter to powdered sugar creates a firm filling that holds its shape when dipped and does not collapse or crack.
- If the peanut butter balls crack when dipped, the filling was too dry. Knead in 1 tablespoon of softened butter and chill for only 20 minutes next time.
- Buckeyes keep for 1 week at room temperature in an airtight container with wax paper between layers. Use creamy peanut butter instead of natural peanut butter, which makes the filling too soft.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 g
- Total number of serves: 48
- Calories: 90kcal
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
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This buckeyes recipe uses creamy peanut butter and semisweet chocolate chips. The sections below cover the ingredient swaps that work, the dipping temperature that prevents cracks, and how to store the candies so the chocolate stays shiny.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
These ingredients control the texture and coating quality of the candies.
- Creamy peanut butter: provides the signature flavor and binds the filling. Use a standard brand like Jif or Skippy. Natural peanut butter separates and makes the filling oily and soft.
- Powdered sugar: sweetens the filling and absorbs moisture so the balls hold their shape. Granulated sugar will not dissolve and leaves a gritty texture.
- Butter: adds richness and helps the filling roll smoothly. Margarine works but makes the filling slightly softer. Omit it entirely for a firmer candy.
- Semisweet chocolate chips: melt into a smooth coating with a mild chocolate flavor. Dark chocolate chips make a more bitter shell, and milk chocolate chips make a sweeter one.
- Shortening: thins the melted chocolate so it coats evenly and sets with a slight sheen. Coconut oil works the same way. Skip it if you prefer a thicker matte coating.
How to Get Buckeyes Right
These steps control the shape, coating, and finish of the candies.
- Chill the peanut butter balls: refrigerate for 30 minutes before dipping. Cold balls stay firm on the toothpick and do not pull apart when lifted from the chocolate.
- Melt the chocolate gently: use 15 second bursts in the microwave and stir between each one. Chocolate heated too fast seizes into a grainy paste that will not coat smoothly.
- Test the chocolate temperature: dip one ball first and check that the coating is thin and drips off easily. If it is thick, stir in another 1/2 teaspoon of shortening.
- Leave a circle uncovered: dip each ball three quarters of the way into the chocolate so a round peanut butter circle shows on top. This is the signature look that makes a buckeyes recipe recognizable.
- Smooth the toothpick hole: use a second toothpick to gently push chocolate over the hole left by the first toothpick. This keeps the peanut butter from drying out.
Make Ahead and Freezing
Roll the peanut butter balls up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate them on a lined tray covered with plastic wrap. Dip them in chocolate the day you plan to serve or gift them. Freeze undipped balls for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Thaw in the refrigerator for 2 hours before dipping.
What Went Wrong
Why Did the Peanut Butter Balls Crack?
The filling was too dry or too cold. Add 1 tablespoon of softened butter to the mixture and knead it in. If the balls came straight from the freezer, let them sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before dipping. Next time use slightly less powdered sugar or chill for only 30 minutes.
Why Is the Chocolate Coating Thick and Clumpy?
The chocolate was too cool or you did not add enough shortening. Reheat the chocolate in 10 second bursts until it flows off a spoon in a thin stream. Stir in another 1/2 teaspoon of shortening. Chocolate should be around 90°F for a smooth thin coating.
Why Did the Balls Fall Off the Toothpick?
The peanut butter mixture was too soft or the balls were not chilled long enough. Put them back in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. If the mixture is still too soft after chilling, knead in 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar. Next time chill the balls for the full 30 minutes before you start dipping.
Flavor Variations
Almond Buckeyes Recipe
Replace the peanut butter with almond butter in the same amount. The filling will be slightly grainier but the flavor is milder. Add 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract to the mixture for a stronger almond taste.
Dark Chocolate Buckeyes
Use dark chocolate chips instead of semisweet. The coating will be less sweet and more bitter. Reduce the powdered sugar in the filling to 2 cups if you want the overall candy less sweet.
Crunchy Buckeyes Recipe
Use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy. The filling will have small peanut pieces throughout. The balls may be slightly harder to roll smooth, so wet your hands lightly with water while shaping them.
What to Serve With Buckeyes
Buckeyes are rich and sweet, so pair them with plain coffee or unsweetened tea to balance the flavor. They work well on a dessert tray with lighter candies like Oreo truffles or peppermint bark. Serve them at room temperature so the peanut butter center is soft.
How to Store Buckeyes
Buckeyes keep for 1 week at room temperature in an airtight container with wax paper between layers. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks if your kitchen is warm. The chocolate may develop condensation when you bring them back to room temperature, so let them sit uncovered for 10 minutes before serving.
Freeze buckeyes for up to 3 months in a freezer safe container with wax paper separating each layer. Thaw in the refrigerator for 2 hours, then bring to room temperature for 15 minutes. The texture stays creamy and the chocolate does not crack.
Buckeyes Recipe FAQs
No, shortening is optional. It thins the melted chocolate for a smooth coating. Without it the chocolate will be thicker and set with a matte finish instead of a slight sheen.
Natural peanut butter does not work well for buckeyes. The oil separates and makes the filling too soft to hold a ball shape. Use a standard creamy peanut butter like Jif or Skippy.
The chocolate is ready when it flows off a spoon in a thin stream and is around 90°F. Dip one ball first to test. If the coating is thick, stir in another half teaspoon of shortening.
The candies are named after the nut of the Ohio buckeye tree. The peanut butter and chocolate candy looks like the brown nut with a tan circle on one side. They are popular in Ohio.
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