Peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate — what's not to love about buckeyes?! Decadent and irresistibly sweet, this buckeyes recipe will become a tradition in your household.
![buckeyes with toothpicks on wax-lined baking sheet](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/Tkn5c5Bozpa3ajhUVw905mbRV5Q=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Screen-Shot-2022-08-08-at-2.05.24-PM-254329e1d3694a049d83c84c74f44880.png)
What Is a Buckeye?
Buckeyes are peanut butter fudge balls dipped in chocolate. Unlike classic peanut butter balls, a circle of peanut butter is left visible. The finished product resembles the nut that grows on the Ohio buckeye tree.
Buckeyes Ingredients
These chocolate buckeyes come together easily with pantry staples. Here's what you'll need:
- Peanut butter: Use your favorite creamy peanut butter. If you'd like a bit of texture, you can substitute crunchy peanut butter.
- Butter: You'll need a cup (two sticks) of butter to make the fudge balls.
- Vanilla: A dash of vanilla extract takes the flavor up a notch.
- Sugar: For this fudgy recipe, opt for confectioners' sugar (a.k.a. powdered sugar).
- Chocolate chips: The chilled peanut butter balls are dipped in melted semi-sweet chocolate chips.
How to Make Buckeyes
You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make these top-rated buckeyes:
- Make the peanut butter balls: Beat the first three ingredients together until smooth. Beat in the sugar. Roll the dough into balls and transfer to wax paper-lined baking sheets. Press a toothpick into each ball and chill in the freezer.
- Melt the chocolate: Meanwhile, gently melt the chocolate in a double boiler on the stove.
- Dip the peanut butter balls: Holding it by the toothpick, dip each peanut butter ball into the melted chocolate. Make sure to leave a small piece of peanut butter showing at the top.
- Refrigerate the buckeyes: Return the peanut butter balls to the baking sheet. When all the balls are coated, transfer them to the refrigerator until the chocolate is set.
![buckeyes on wax-lined baking sheet](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/8wuOA8QjBwGsFBncRj-gLidSkRM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Screen-Shot-2022-08-08-at-2.04.25-PM-44856eaa13f7436e981a471445aa85d9.png)
How to Store Buckeyes
Transfer the buckeyes to a shallow, airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Can You Freeze Buckeyes?
Yes! You can freeze buckeyes for up to two months. When the chocolate is set, transfer the buckeyes to a zip-top freezer bag or another freezer-safe container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise
"These turned out beautifully," raves kpeiffer. "The key was freezing the peanut butter balls before dipping them in the chocolate. It worked like a charm."
"I make oodles of these each year," says lisacrislip. "Never fails – they are loved by all. I add some paraffin wax to chocolate. This thins it and makes coating much easier to adhere nicely to peanut butter balls."
"Super easy," according to QPSDOLL. "I always have these ingredients in the kitchen. My gluten free daughter loved them and both my kids enjoyed making them."
Editorial contributions by Corey Williams
Ingredients
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1 ½ cups peanut butter
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1 cup butter, softened
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½ teaspoon vanilla extract
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4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar, plus more as needed
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4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
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toothpicks
Directions
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Gather all ingredients.
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Beat peanut butter, butter, and vanilla together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Beat in 4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar until dough is stiff, firm, and dry with no lumps; adding more sifted sugar as needed.
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Roll dough into about sixty 1-inch balls and place on wax-lined cookie sheets. Press a toothpick into the top of each ball and chill in the freezer until firm, about 30 minutes.
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Place chocolate chips in a double boiler or in a bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir frequently until melted and smooth.
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Hold the toothpicks and dip frozen peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate, leaving a small portion of peanut butter showing at the top.
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Return to the cookie sheet, remove and discard the toothpicks, and refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy!
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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
151 | Calories |
10g | Fat |
17g | Carbs |
2g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings Per Recipe 60 | |
Calories 151 | |
% Daily Value * | |
Total Fat 10g | 12% |
Saturated Fat 5g | 23% |
Cholesterol 8mg | 3% |
Sodium 53mg | 2% |
Total Carbohydrate 17g | 6% |
Dietary Fiber 1g | 4% |
Protein 2g | 4% |
Calcium 7mg | 1% |
Iron 1mg | 3% |
Potassium 84mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.