This Buckeye recipe is the star of every cookie plate.
Buckeyes are a delicious no-bake peanut butter ball dipped in chocolate.
If you like peanut butter cups, you’ll love these easy treats!
What is a Buckeye?
A Buckeye is a popular no-bake treat, inspired by Ohio’s famous state tree, which is considered lucky. These buckeye candies resemble the nuts that grow on a buckeye tree.
These are chocolate-dipped peanut butter balls, known for being delicious are simple to make! A creamy peanut butter ball is dipped partway in rich chocolate. Perfect for anyone who loves a sweet, easy-to-make dessert and a welcome addition to your Christmas cookie plate.
Ingredients in Buckeyes
Sometimes called ‘peanut butter balls’ or ‘buckeye cookies,’ this recipe is just a few pantry ingredients.
- Peanut Butter – Use regular creamy or crunchy peanut butter. Avoid all-natural peanut butter that tends to separate easily.
- Butter – Use unsalted room-temperature butter. If you only have salted butter, it will work but will make them a little bit salty.
- Vanilla Extract – This adds flavor to the peanut butter mixture.
- Powdered Sugar – Also known as confectioners sugar adds sweetness and creates the best texture.
- Chocolate Chips – I use semisweet chocolate chips for the perfect balance of sweetness. Swap for dark chocolate or milk if you prefer.
- Shortening – Vegetable shortening helps keep the chocolate from cracking. You can also use coconut oil.
How to Make Peanut Butter Balls
- With an electric mixer, combine peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Chill.
- Roll into balls and chill.
- Dip in melted chocolate, let the excess chocolate drip off, and enjoy!
Buckeye Tips and Tricks
- Dust your hands with a bit of powdered sugar when rolling the peanut butter balls so the mixture doesn’t stick to your hands.
- Some buckeyes can be smaller and some can be larger and since there is no baking, there’s no need to worry about them baking evenly.
- Making sure the chocolate is warm and the peanut butter balls are very cold will give the best results for dipping.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until serving.
- Buckeyes can be kept in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator the day before serving.
Peanut Butter Faves
Did your family love this easy Buckeye recipe? Leave us a comment and a rating below!
Easy Buckeye Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups smooth peanut butter not all natural
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon shortening or coconut oil
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine peanut butter, butter, and vanilla with a hand mixer on medium speed until fluffy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until incorporated after each addition. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop and roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheet. Chill the peanut butter balls for at least 30 minutes.
- Combine chocolate chips and shortening in a small bowl. Microwave at 50% power for 1 minute. Stir and continue microwaving in 30-second increments just until melted.
- Place a toothpick into the peanut butter center of each ball and dip in chocolate leaving a little bit of the peanut butter peeking out the top.
- Place on the same parchment lined pan and chill in the refrigerator until set.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Candy, Cookies, Dessert
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
these are the best buckeyes! people ask for them every year and they gobble them up! I love all of her recipes!
hi, can you use almond bark instead of chocolate chips?
Hi Nita, I have never tried but the almond bark won’t melt into a smooth consistency like chocolate chips would so I don’t know how well they would coat the filling.
these are so yummy! I love this recipe, thanks for sharing
These Buckeyes are easy and the best tasting ever.
I am so happy to hear you love this recipe Dee Dee!
Hi Holly,
Could this recipe do double duty as peanut butter Easter eggs? Same ingredients, right?
That sounds so fun Karen! It should work well, just shape them into eggs before dipping it in chocolate.
Absolutely perfect! Maybe a pinch of salt to cut down on the sweetness but overall we loved it! Thanks!
Made these peanut butter balls (Buckeyes) today. The filling became very dry and stiff after adding about 2.5 cups powdered sugar. My mixer got hot and would not even mix. It just seems too much sugar. I know everyone has success so I don’t know where I went wrong. I have not coated them yet but the filling is not light and fluffy like the ones I have had. Very disappointed☹️
Oh no Nancy. Did you use all natural peanut butter?
Typically you have stir in the powder sugar
Under “Ingredients” is where you should have warned people about not using natural peanut butter rather than at the very end of the recipe.
These look amazing but since I’m using the semisweet chocolate chips, I bumped the sugar down to 2 1/2 cups and it was plenty sweet for me. Just in case anyone else likes sweets less sweet. :-)
These recipes look delicious!! Can’t wait to try them!!
Thanks Marsha! Have fun cooking!
Hi, these look great. How long do these stay fresh in at room temperature or in the refrigerator? I want to put these on top of a birthday cake which will be ready by Thursday. Today is Monday. Can I make them tonight which in Monday? Will they stay fresh?
If you refrigerate them, they will be just fine by Thursday.
Do you use unsalted or salted butter for the Buckeyes?
And do you think Dark Chocolate Chips would taste okay with this recipe?
Thanks for letting me know!
Either will work but I usually use salted. Yes I think dark chocolate would be great!
Hello,
Can Rice Krispies or crushed gram crackers be added to the mix?
Thank you and Happy Holidays :)
I have only tried the recipe as written, but if you try it let me know how it turns out!
Hi Holly, these sound absolutely delicious, on my to make list and I will come back with more than likely, rave reviews :)
Enjoy Lee, we love them!