Name: Buckeyes
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 48 buckeyes (4 dozen)
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16 ounce jar creamy peanut butter ((2 cups)); 1 pound powdered sugar ((3.5 cups)); ½ cup butter (melted); 1 tablespoon vanilla; 1.5 pounds melting chocolate ((see notes))

Buckeyesare a classic treat that are a must-have during the holiday season. With just a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you can whip up a batch of these irresistible treats in just 30 minutes.

round truffle like chocolates piled on a pate and in a bowl with what looks like a lighter color to the shell of each.

These sweet treats consist of a creamy peanut butter filling coated in rich chocolate, and resemble the nut of the Ohio state tree, the buckeye.

Buckeyes are agreat addition to a holiday dessert platteror a treat to have on hand when you need something sweet. They pair well with thesesoft gingerbread cookiesandclassic shortbread cookies.

And if you love the classic combo of peanut butter and chocolate, you must try thischocolate peanut butter pierecipe.

round truffle like chocolates on parchment paper with what looks like a lighter color to the shell of each.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These buckeyes contain the perfect combination of peanut butter and chocolate that will satisfy even the biggest sweet tooth.
No baking or oven needed, which means it’s a great recipe to make with kids.
They make a perfect homemade gift for holidays, birthdays, or any special occasion.
You likely have all the ingredients on-hand.

Recipe Ingredients

Peanut Butter:the backbone of this easy candy recipe, and you’ll use the whole jar so you don’t even have to make a mess in your measuring cups
Powdered Sugar:this sweetens up the candy and helps everything stick together, it’s a bit like the “flour” to your candy
Butter:melted butter helps everything to come together and gives a nice creamy flavor
Chocolate:melting chocolate or chocolate wafers are best for this recipe and milk, semi-sweet or dark chocolate all work depending on your preference

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities

How to Make Buckeyes

Step #1.Mix the peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and butter in a bowl until smooth.

Step #2.Roll this mixture into one-inch balls.

Step #3.Melt the chocolate according to package directions

Step #4.Dip each peanut butter ball in the melted chocolate leaving some of the peanut butter showing so that they look like buckeyes.

peanut butter chocolate buckeye bites with a hand holding a buckeye with a bite out of the chocolate exterior and filled center.

Recipe FAQs

What kind of chocolate should I use?

Be sure to look for melting chocolate because it has already been tempered (heated and cooled). When you heat it again, the chocolate doesn’t bloom (turn white) like untempered chocolate might.

How long does it take for the chocolate to set on the buckeyes?

The chocolate may take up to 1 to 2 hours to set on the buckeyes, depending on the temperature of your kitchen. Setting them in a cooler spot in your kitchen or house will help them firm up faster.

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy peanut butter in this recipe?

You could use crunchy peanut butter but I wouldn’t recommend it because you won’t have the creamy texture that this recipe is meant to have.

Can I use almond butter instead of peanut butter?

Yes. You can use any creamy nut butter to make buckeyes. Keep in mind that the flavor will be different.

Expert Tips

Use a good quality peanut butter for the best flavor in your buckeyes.Creamy peanut butter works best for this recipe, as it creates a smooth and creamy texture.
Make sure tosift or whisk the powdered sugar before adding itto the peanut butter mixture. This will help prevent any lumps and ensure a smoother consistency.
When rolling the peanut butter mixture into balls,use a cookie dough scoopfor evenly sized portions.
Melt your melting chocolate according to package directions.Using a double-boiler on the stovewill prevent scorching the chocolate.
To prevent the chocolate from seizing when melting,make sure that all utensils and bowls are completely dry. Any water or moisture can cause the chocolate to become grainy and clumpy.