Emma and I discovered this buckeyes recipe during one of our weekend baking experiments last winter. He'd been begging me to make "those chocolate peanut butter balls" he saw at his friend's house, so naturally we had to figure it out. After making batch after batch (and eating way too many taste tests), we finally cracked the code. These little Ohio treats have become our go-to for every holiday party and bake sale - people always ask for the recipe!
Why You'll Love This Buckeyes Recipe
These little treats have saved my bacon at so many parties and bake sales. They're way simpler than they look - no weird equipment or tricky techniques. Emma can help with pretty much every step, which makes it fun family time instead of me stuck in the kitchen alone. And here's the thing nobody tells you - they actually get better after sitting in the fridge for a day or two.
I used to buy those fancy ones from the candy shop, but honestly? These homemade ones blow them away. The peanut butter stays creamy, the chocolate doesn't get that weird white film, and you can make them exactly how sweet you want them. Fair warning though - once people try these at a party, they'll expect you to bring them to everything. Emma thinks that's a good problem to have!
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Buckeyes Recipe
- Ingredients for Perfect Buckeyes Recipe
- How To Make Buckeyes Recipe Step By Step
- Equipment For Buckeyes Recipe
- Buckeyes Recipe Variations
- Smart Swaps for Your Buckeye Recipe
- How to Store Your Buckeyes Recipe
- How My Neighbor's Dish Became a Household Staple
- Top Tip
- What to Serve With Buckeyes Recipe
- FAQ
- Ready to Make Some Buckeyes Recipe!
- Related
- Pairing
- Buckeyes Recipe
Ingredients for Perfect Buckeyes Recipe
The Peanut Butter Base:
- Creamy peanut butter
- Powdered sugar
- Butter
- Vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
The Chocolate Coating:
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Coconut oil or shortening
- Tiny bit of salt
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Buckeyes Recipe Step By Step
Mix the Filling:
- Beat peanut butter until it looks fluffy
- Add powdered sugar bit by bit so it doesn't make a mess
- Mix in soft butter and vanilla
- Stick the bowl in the fridge for 30 minutes
Roll the Balls:
- Scoop out small chunks with a spoon or cookie scoop
- Roll them between your hands into balls
- They don't have to be perfect - mine sure aren't
- Put them on parchment paper and chill again
Melt the Chocolate:
- Put chocolate chips and coconut oil in a bowl
- Microwave for 30 seconds, stir, repeat until smooth
- Don't cook it too long or it gets thick and gross
Dip Time:
- Smooth over the toothpick holes with your finger
- Poke a toothpick in each ball
- Dip in chocolate but leave some peanut butter showing on top
- Put on clean parchment paper
Equipment For Buckeyes Recipe
- Big mixing bowl
- Cookie scoop
- Toothpicks
- Parchment paper
- Bowl you can put in the microwave for chocolate
Buckeyes Recipe Variations
Flavor Switch-Ups:
- Roll the balls in crushed graham crackers before dipping - tastes like s'mores
- Throw a little cinnamon in the peanut butter mix
- Use white chocolate instead of brown for special occasions
- Mix mini chocolate chips right into the peanut butter
Things to Put on Top:
- Chopped nuts while the chocolate is still wet
- Sprinkles for birthdays or holidays
- Different colored chocolate drizzled on top
- Roll them in coconut before dipping
Holiday Ones:
- Red and green sprinkles for Christmas
- Orange stuff for Halloween
- Pretty pastel colors for Easter
- Little hearts for Valentine's Day
Smart Swaps for Your Buckeye Recipe
Peanut Butter Options:
- Creamy → Crunchy (adds texture)
- Regular → Almond butter (nuttier taste)
- Store brand → Natural (drain oil first)
Chocolate Choices:
- Semi-sweet → Dark chocolate (less sweet)
- Chocolate chips → Melting wafers (smoother coating)
- Regular → White chocolate (for holidays)
Fat Swaps:
- Coconut oil → Shortening (classic choice)
- Butter → Coconut oil (dairy-free)
- Regular → Light butter (less rich)
Sugar Switches:
- White → Brown powdered sugar (richer flavor)
- Powdered → Blend regular sugar fine
- Regular → Sugar-free version
How to Store Your Buckeyes Recipe
In the Fridge (up to 2 weeks):
- Stick them in a container with a good lid
- Put parchment paper between layers so they don't stick together
- Keep them cold - they get mushy if left out
- Let them sit out for a bit before eating so they're not rock hard
In the Freezer (up to 3 months):
- Same container and parchment setup
- Let them thaw in the fridge overnight
- Don't try to speed it up or they get gross
On the Counter (just a few days):
- They start getting soft after a couple days
- Only if your house isn't super hot
- Still need a covered container
How My Neighbor's Dish Became a Household Staple
My neighbor saved us from buckeye disaster. Emma and I were having a terrible time with our first batch - everything kept falling apart and the chocolate looked awful. She showed up at our door with a plate of perfect buckeyes recipe and said she'd help us figure it out. Turns out she's been making them for 30 years and knows all the tricks. Her big secret? She mixes a tiny bit of cream cheese into the peanut butter - just enough so everything sticks together but you can't taste it.
The coolest part was watching Emma get excited when my neighbor showed him how to fix those toothpick holes with his finger. She also uses those flat toothpicks instead of regular ones because they don't make such big holes. "It's like magic!" Emma said, and he wasn't wrong. Now we do it her way every time, and everyone always wants to know why ours taste better than other people's.
Top Tip
- Emma figured out that if you lick your finger before smoothing over the toothpick holes, the chocolate doesn't stick to your skin and you get nice smooth tops every time. Sounds weird but it works! He also learned that if the peanut butter mix is too sticky, just get your hands a little wet before rolling the balls. The water stops everything from sticking to your hands, and you can roll way faster.
- If your chocolate gets too thick while you're dipping, stick it back in the microwave for 10-15 seconds with a tiny bit more coconut oil. Don't go longer or you'll burn it and have to throw it out - we learned that one the hard way! Emma says the best thing is that even when they look messed up, they still taste great, so don't worry about making them look perfect.
What to Serve With Buckeyes Recipe
These little things work at pretty much any party or get-together. For holidays, I throw them on the dessert table with cookies and fudge, or pack them in small boxes for the neighbors. They go great with hot chocolate or coffee, and they look good mixed in with other homemade candy. For regular days, they're good with cold milk, stuffed in lunch boxes, or just sitting out during movie nights.
For bigger events, I add them to birthday dessert tables, bring them to potlucks, or serve them at baby showers. They always sell out fast at bake sales too. Emma came up with the idea to put them in those little paper cups like expensive chocolates, and people think you're some kind of fancy baker. It's pretty funny how well that works.
FAQ
Why do my Buckeyes Recipe fall apart when I roll them?
Your peanut butter mix is probably too warm or you used natural peanut butter. Stick the bowl in the fridge for 30 minutes and use regular creamy peanut butter next time. The natural stuff is too oily and won't stick together.
Can I make Buckeyes Recipe ahead of time?
Yeah! They actually taste better after sitting in the fridge overnight. Make them up to 2 weeks early and keep them cold, or freeze for up to 3 months. Just let them warm up a bit before eating.
Why is my chocolate coating thick and gross?
You cooked the chocolate too much or didn't add enough coconut oil. Heat it slowly - 30 seconds at a time - and add more oil if it's too thick. It should feel warm on your finger, not hot.
How do I get rid of the toothpick holes?
Right after you put the buckeye down, smooth over the hole with your finger while the chocolate is still wet. Wait too long and it hardens up and cracks when you touch it.
Ready to Make Some Buckeyes Recipe!
Now you've got everything you need to make buckeyes recipe that'll have people bugging you for the Buckeyes Recipe. Emma and I love making these together - it's become one of our favorite weekend things to do. The best part is watching people's faces when they take a bite and realize how much better homemade tastes than the stuff from stores.
Want more treats that'll wow everyone? Try our Best Snickers Brownies Recipe that tastes like the candy bar but better, or go fancy with The Best Boston Cream Pie Recipe that looks way harder than it really is. For something quick and easy, our Easy Banana Brownies Recipe uses up those gross brown bananas on your counter!
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Buckeyes Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Large mixing bowl (For combining the peanut butter mixture)
- 1 Cookie scoop (Optional, for uniform ball size)
- 1 Toothpicks (For dipping balls in chocolate)
- 1 Parchment paper (For lining trays and easy cleanup)
- 1 Microwave-safe bowl (For melting chocolate)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Creamy peanut butter - Use regular not natural peanut butter
- 1 cup Powdered sugar - Add more to adjust firmness
- ½ cup Butter - Softened
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 pinch Salt - Optional enhances flavor
- 1 ½ cups Semi-sweet chocolate chips - Or use melting wafers for smoother coating
- 1 tablespoon Coconut oil - Or shortening
- — — Optional cream cheese - 1–2 teaspoon to improve texture optional
Instructions
- Mix peanut butter, sugar, butter, vanilla, and a pinch of salt
- Chill the peanut butter mixture to make it easier to handle
- Roll chilled mixture into small balls and chill again
- Melt chocolate and coconut oil until smooth
- Dip each ball in chocolate, smooth the tops, and let set
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