These peanut butter Buckeyes are a classic holiday dessert that's more like a truffle than a cookie, although they're a must-have on many Christmas cookie trays. They're soft and tender with a creamy burst of peanut butter enrobed in a crunchy chocolate shell. You won't be able to eat just one!
These homemade buckeyes are named after the buckeye nut, which has a glossy brown coat with a matte tan circle in the center. These sweet treats are made by first making sweet Peanut Butter balls, and then dipping them in a delicious dark chocolate coating. They look very similar to the buckeye nuts, but are the best no bake treats! They're perfect for any holiday table (and they last forever in the fridge)!
Why You'll Love These Buckeyes
- So easy to make. These buckeyes are a no-bake treat, so the only thing you'll need to heat up at all is the rich chocolate coating! They're incredibly easy to make and only require a handful of simple ingredients.
- A nostalgic holiday treat. Many families make these dipped buckeyes every year for the holidays! They're a classic holiday dessert that will look perfect on your Christmas cookie tray.
- Long-lasting. These buckeye balls last up to a month in the fridge, so they're an ideal treat to make at the beginning of December. Any time you get any visitors, you'll have a treat ready to serve right away. They can freeze for even longer!
Ingredient Notes
To make these delicious buckeyes, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- peanut butter - use creamy store-bought peanut butter for best results.
- butter - bring unsalted butter to room temperature to make it easy to mix into the peanut butter.
- vanilla extract - a little vanilla makes the peanut butter mixture taste and smell amazing.
- confectioners' sugar - this thickens the peanut butter into a thick paste.
- chocolate - use bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate chips for the perfect shell. The dark chocolate is a perfect contrast for the sweet and creamy peanut butter center.
- coconut oil - coconut oil will help the chocolate melt and make the shell nice and crunchy.
You will also need a large baking sheet, parchment paper, a large mixing bowl, an electric hand mixer, a small cookie scoop, a microwave-safe bowl, and a toothpick.
How to Make the Best Buckeyes
- Combine ingredients. Add peanut butter, butter, and vanilla to a large mixing bowl. Beat together with an electric hand mixer until smooth and creamy. Add in the confectioners’ sugar, then beat again until a soft, playdough-like dough comes together.
- Scoop balls. Prepare a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a small cookie scoop, scoop out the dough, then roll each scoop around in your hands to make it round. Place onto the prepared baking sheet and cover lightly with plastic wrap. Place into the fridge for 4 hours (up to overnight) to firm up.
- Melt chocolate. After the balls have rested and chilled, add the chocolate and oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Place into the microwave and microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until fully melted and smooth. Allow the melted chocolate to cool for 10-15 minutes, or until just slightly warm to the touch.
- Dip balls in chocolate. Place a toothpick into each of the chilled peanut butter balls, then dip each ball into the melted cooled chocolate, leaving a small amount of the peanut butter exposed at the top.
- Set. Return the buckeyes onto the parchment lined baking sheet, and allow the chocolate to harden. Remove the toothpicks from the buckeyes (you can use your finger or a knife to smooth over the holes). At this point, you can add a chocolate drizzle on top, if desired.
- Store. Place the buckeyes into the fridge until you’re ready to enjoy. Feel free to leave as is or top with some flaked salt.
Recipe Variations
- Use natural peanut butter. Although it has a different texture and flavor, you can also use natural peanut butter. Just stir it well first and add more powdered sugar if needed.
- Make them crunchy. If you prefer crunchy buckeye candies, stir in chopped peanuts, rice krispies, or cornflakes, or use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth.
- Try a different chocolate. Replace the dark chocolate with milk chocolate or even white chocolate for a different flavor profile. You can even add a white chocolate drizzle over the dark chocolate for a beautiful look.
- Roll the buckeyes. If you add nuts or cereal to your peanut butter mixture, reserve extra and roll the finished buckeyes in them to highlight what's inside.
How to Serve
These buckeyes are delicious served on their own, or paired with some of my favorite holiday treats as part of a Holiday Cookie Box including:
- Gingerbread Truffles
- Christmas Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
- Oreo Truffles (Cookie Balls)
- Italian Christmas Cookies
- Dark Chocolate Raspberry Truffles
- Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites
Looking for more holiday treats? Try these 30 Best Christmas Cookies.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Chill the peanut butter balls. If you try to dip the peanut butter balls without chilling them first, they'll fall off the toothpick as you're dipping them. Refrigerate or even freeze them to make the dipping process quick and easy.
- Use a double boiler. If you have issues with the melted chocolate hardening, make a double boiler instead. Fill a small saucepan with water and add a glass or metal bowl on top. Heat up the water over medium heat and add the chocolate. It will melt gently from the heat of the water. Turn down the heat once the chocolate begins to melt.
- Line the tray. Any time you work with chocolate, use either a sheet of parchment or wax paper. The chocolate will not stick to it, so you'll get a beautiful, mess-free shell every time.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
How to Store
Store buckeyes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 month. To keep the balls from sticking together, separate them with a sheet of wax paper.
How to Freeze
Store any remaining leftovers from this easy buckeye recipe in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Separate the layers of buckeye candy with a sheet of wax paper.
FAQ
Chocolate buckeyes are made by mixing together Peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla into a thick paste, rolling it into balls, then dipping them in melted chocolate. This gives you a nice crunchy chocolate shell with a soft, creamy peanut butter flavor in the middle.
One of the best things about this easy buckeyes recipe is how long they last! These simple treats can technically go bad, but it takes a while. For the best flavor and texture, store the buckeyes in the fridge for a month or freeze them for three months.
Yes! Not only does this preserve the buckeyes to help them last a long time, but it also gives them the perfect texture. They're more fun to eat when the peanut butter is firm. At room temperature, they're quite soft and a little messy.
More Peanut Butter Dessert Recipes
- Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Peanut Butter Eggs
- Chewy Peanut Butter Granola Bars
- Chocolate Chunk Peanut Butter Cookies
- Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies
- The Best Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
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