Posted By: Amy 9 Comments Rate this post!

Posted: Dec 11, 2012 Updated: Nov 13, 2022

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This easy Buckeyes recipe is made with only four ingredients and comes together in a snap. This no-bake buckeye candy has a classic peanut butter core dipped in dark chocolate. It’s a taste of Ohio brought from my home to yours.

Quick & Easy Buckeyes

Buckeyes are just about the simplest cookie to make. They only have a few ingredients, don’t require any cooking, and come together in just a few minutes. They’re sweet, salty, crumbly, and just the right amount of smooth.

While there are a lot of Buckeye recipes out there, the one I’m sharing with you today is my mom’s. She made these treats for us every Christmas, and I have fond memories of how they would always kick off our holiday season. Today, they’re my son’s favorite confection too! And since I only make Buckeye candy during the holiday, my family really appreciates them when they show up on the cookie platter.

Buckeyes are simple to prepare and last for several weeks in the fridge. Buckeye balls are the perfect holiday gift and will be a massive hit at your neighborhood holiday party!

What is Buckeye Candy?

Buckeye candy was born in Ohio (the Buckeye State) when Gail Tabor invented them while trying to dip peanut butter balls in chocolate. According to legend, she noticed the partially-dipped candies looked a lot like buckeye nuts. Gail took her happy cookie mistake to football games for years, and eventually, the recipe got out. The rest, they say, is history.

What You’ll Need

Buckeye balls don’t need many ingredients at all. Jump down to the recipe for actual amounts.

Peanut Butter: Use the best quality smooth peanut butter you can find.
Powdered Sugar
Unsalted Butter: Let the butter soften to room temperature.
Chocolate Chips. I like to use semisweet chips for this recipe.
Christmas Colored Choclate Chips (optional)

How to Make These Tasty Buckeyes

These Buckey cookies will come together in no time at all. Here’s what you need to do to have the best tasting Buckeyes in town.

Mix the Peanut Butter. Mix the creamy peanut butter and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl until smooth. You want to make sure that the sugar is completely incorporated into the peanut butter.

Form Peanut Butter Balls. Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, measure out scoops of sweetened peanut butter. Roll the balls between your hands to smooth them out and then place them on a cooke sheet lined with parchment paper.
Chill. Refridgerate for at least 2 hours. You want to peanut butter balls to be nice and cold so they don’t lose their shape when you dip them in the melted chocolate. If you’re in a rush, you can freeze for 15 minutes.
Melt the Chocolate. Melt the choclate chips in a double boiler or in the microwave. If you’re using a double boiler, stir the chocolate continually until fully melted and smooth. If you’re using a microwave, heat for 15 seconds at a time and stir in between. You don’t want to scorch the chocolate.

Dip the Buckeye Balls. Insert a toothpick into a peanut butter ball and dip it into the melted choclate. Dip it only 3/4 of the way up the ball, leaving peanut butter visibile on top. Set the coated candy on the parchment paper and repeat with all of them.
Decorate With Christmas Colored Chocolate Chips (optional). If you want to make your Buckeyes extra festive, top them with Christmas-colored chocolate chips.
Chill. Set the chocolate-dipped buckeyes in the fridge to set the chocolate.

How to Store Buckeyes

Store buckeyes in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 weeks. Place a piece of parchment paper between layers, so the chocolate doesn’t stick.

Can I Freeze Buckeye Candy?

Yes, Buckeyes freeze really well! Place leftover candy on a cookie sheet and freeze for an hour until they’re frozen solid. Then, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze them for up to a month.

Servings: 42 cookies

Equipment

Double Boiler or microwave

Ingredients

3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
3 3/4 cup powdered sugar sifted
2 sticks unsalted butter at room temperature
12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
assorted Christmas colored chocolate chips optional

Instructions

Mix peanut butter, confectioners’ sugar and butter in a mixing bowl until smooth.
Using a tablespoon scoop measure out balls onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Rounding balls between your hands to smooth out.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or a bowl set over a saucepan with a little water set to a low boil, stirring continually until smooth.
Insert a toothpick into peanut butter ball and dip into chocolate coating 3/4 of a ball, leaving peanut butter visible on top.
Set back onto a baking sheet, when all balls have been coated, top balls with Christmas colored chocolate chips, and put the sheet back in the refrigerator to set chocolate.
Once chocolate is set you can store Buckeyes in an airtight container

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

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