Buckeye Balls
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Buckeye balls, named for the Ohio buckeye tree and often served by Ohio State fans is a delicious no-bake chocolate and peanut butter candy!
Peanut butter buckeye balls (also called buckeye candy or buckeye cookies) are a super simple dessert recipe popular around football season and the holidays. Enjoy them at your next game night with other faves like jalapeno popper dip, roasted salsa, and sausage balls!
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Buckeye Balls
Buckeye Balls
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Why you’ll love this recipe!
📌 Classic peanut butter and chocolate flavors we all love.
📌 No need to turn on the oven and heat up the whole house.
📌 A great freeze-ahead option for surprise guests or neighbor gifts.
Buckeye balls ingredients
- Peanut Butter – I like a creamy peanut butter for this recipe, but you could use crunchy if you want some extra texture!
- Powdered Sugar – Also called confectioners’ sugar or icing sugar.
- Butter – If you use salted butter, skip adding salt later in the recipe.
- Vanilla – Use real vanilla extract, not imitation vanilla.
- Salt – If you use salted butter, you’ll want to skip this ingredient.
- Chocolate – Semi-sweet chocolate morsels work perfectly in this recipe.
- Shortening – Creates a smoother and more manageable consistency than melted chocolate alone. Adding shortening helps to make a more evenly coated peanut butter ball.
How do you make peanut butter buckeye balls? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, mix peanut butter, butter, vanilla and salt with a mixer until blended (try using an electric mixer on low). Add 2 cups powdered sugar, blend.
⭐ Next, use additional powdered sugar until mixture can be shaped into a ball and will stay on a toothpick. Shape into about 1-inch balls and refrigerate until firm.
⭐ Then, place chocolate chips and shortening in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 15 – 20 second increments, mixing in-between until chocolate is melted. (You can re-melt as needed when making balls).
⭐ Finally, insert toothpick into balls. Dip into chocolate, leaving a bit of peanut butter showing at the top, then remove excess. Place on a parchment-lined tray. Remove toothpick. Refrigerate until firm.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Preparation
What’s the best way to dip a buckeye ball in chocolate?
To dip the balls, first shape them into spheres – this is best done by rolling them into your hands. Then place them in the refrigerator for a few hours, or into the freezer for about 30 minutes to set. You want them to be firm so they won’t melt in the hot chocolate.
Next, spear a ball about halfway through with a toothpick, and then dip or swirl it in your melted chocolate.
Place the chocolate covered peanut butter ball on a parchment lined baking sheet and remove the toothpick, and gently smooth chocolate over any holes or bubbles that may have been created.
How do you keep the balls from melting?
Make sure the balls are chilled until firm before dipping in the hot melted chocolate. Place in the refrigerator for a few hours, or in the freezer for about 30 minutes.
If you are doubling the recipe (or more), remove the balls from refrigeration in small batches so they stay cold and firm.
They will last for several months, so you can make a big batch ahead of time and just pull out what you need in the moment.
Storage and leftovers
How long do buckeyes last?
At Room Temperature
Our Peanut Butter Balls Recipe can be stored for several days at room temperature in a cool dry place. Make sure it is kept in a well-sealed container. Do not store unrefrigerated in a warm or hot climate.
In the Refrigerator
They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Again, you’ll want to make sure the balls are in a sealed container so they don’t take on the smell or flavor of other items in your fridge.
In the Freezer
My favorite way to store chocolate peanut butter balls is in the freezer!
Can peanut butter buckeyes be frozen
Yes, make sure to allow the chocolate coating to cool completely, then place the balls in a container in single layers, separated by sheets of parchment paper. Use a freezer-safe, sealed container and make sure to label with the date and contents.
This will stay good in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or on the counter at room temperature before enjoying. Do not thaw in the microwave.
Tips, tricks, and frequently asked questions
✅ It is important that you have added enough powdered sugar so that you achieve a workable peanut butter dough, but not so much that it becomes crumbly. If your dough is too runny, add more powdered sugar in small increments.
✅ Make sure to chill your dough balls for a sufficient amount of time between forming them and dipping them to make sure they will keep their shape and stay on the toothpick while you are dipping.
✅ When storing your peanut butter balls, use parchment paper between the layers to keep them from sticking to one another.
✅ Prepare a double batch, because these go fast!
What to eat with buckeye balls candy (serving suggestions)
These are a holiday favorite in our house (my mother-in-law taught me how to make them!), enjoy them with other holiday inspired dishes like our perfect prime rib roast, twice baked potatoes, and classic pecan pie.
More delicious sweet peanut butter recipes
- Peanut butter banana bread
- Peanut butter bread
- Peanut butter pie
- Peanut butter fudge
- See all our yummy peanut butter recipes!
Other awesome no bake desserts
- Easy rice krispies treats
- S’mores chocolate bark
- Crockpot peanut candy
- Oreo truffles
- See all our easy no bake recipes
Tools we love
- Bakers half sheet – It’s cool, we only have about six of these bakers half sheets because they’re good for absolutely everything.
- Electric mixer – I love love love love love (x’s 100) my stand mixer. Really and truly. But my daily work horse is this handheld electric mixer.
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How to Make Buckeye Balls
Buckeye Balls
Ingredients
- 1½ cups creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup butter room temp
- 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups powdered sugar more as needed
- 1 package semi-sweet chocolate chips 12 ounces
- 2 tablespoons shortening
Instructions
- Mix peanut butter, butter, vanilla and salt with a mixer until blended (try using an electric mixer on low). Add 2 cups powdered sugar, blend.
- Use additional powdered sugar until mixture can be shaped into a ball and will stay on a toothpick. Shape into about 1 inch balls and refrigerate until firm.
- Place chocolate chips and shortening in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 15 - 20 second increments, mixing in-between until chocolate is melted. (You can re-melt as needed when making balls).
- Insert toothpick into balls. Dip into chocola (leaving some of the peanut butter showing on top), then remove excess. Place on a parchment lined tray. Remove toothpick and smooth over holes. Refrigerate until firm.
Notes
Nutrition
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Buckeye Balls
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My recipe (that I’ve had for years!), calls for melting a little paraffin wax with the chocolate. It always melted and stayed on the p b.balls really well but is it dangerous?
These are seriously the best & so addicting!! They are creamy & so yummy!! Great for parties & get togethers!!
I love these and this flavor combination! My kids loved helping me with these!
This was such a delicious treat, I could not stop eating them!