Buckeyes Recipe - Lauren's Latest (2024)

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A perfect marriage of peanut butter and chocolate make Ohio-famous Buckeyes a no-bake masterpiece. Similar to Peanut Butter Balls, Buckeyes are made with creamy peanut butter, sweet powdered sugar and butter, rolled into balls and partially dipped into melted chocolate, leaving just a little bit of peanut butter exposed – making them look just like real buckeyes.

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Ok, What are Buckeyes?

Real buckeyes are a shiny, brown nut that grow on an Ohio state tree – the buckeye tree. Buckeyes resemble the eye of a deer, hence: BUCK EYE. I have memories of buckeye nuts every fall all over our sidewalks. My grandpa used to drill holes in them so we could string them for necklaces. Such a fun memory! Unless you’re a squirrel, do NOT try to eat this nut. 🙂 Make this recipe instead!

Buckeyes, the candy – are a combination of peanut butter, butter, and powdered sugar shaped into small balls. You then dip them in melted chocolate, but not all of it! Leave a small portion of the peanut butter visible which look exactly like the buckeye nut.

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How to Make Buckeyes

For full recipe details, see the printable recipe card down below. Here is step by step what you can expect when making this Buckeye recipe:

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Prep Baking Sheet

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Cream Butter + Peanut Butter Together

Cream softened butter and peanut butter in a bowl with hand mixer or stand mixer with paddle until color begins to lighten and mixture is silky smooth.

Add vanilla and salt and mix until combined.

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Add Powdered Sugar

SLOWLY add powdered sugar in 1/3 cup increments mixing well in between. “Dough” should be thick enough to roll into balls. If you haven’t achieved that texture, add a little bit more sugar.

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Buckeyes Recipe - Lauren's Latest (6)

Form Balls + Refrigerate

Scoop out tablespoon sized portions and roll into balls with clean hands. Place balls onto parchment lined baking sheet. Place a toothpick into the center of each ball and refrigerate for 15 min to an hour.

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Buckeyes Recipe - Lauren's Latest (8)

Pro Tip: if you find your balls start out rolling out smoothly but then start to stick, try cleaning your hands periodically. Clean hands make the smoothest balls.

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Buckeyes Recipe - Lauren's Latest (10)

Melt Chocolate

Meanwhile, melt both types of chocolate together with coconut oil in a double boiler or microwave, stirring and making sure not to burn.

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Buckeyes Recipe - Lauren's Latest (12)

Dip Balls in Chocolate

Remove balls from refrigerator and holding onto the toothpick, dip each ball into chocolate being sure to cover just about 80% of the peanut butter to achieve that “Buckeye” look.Place back onto baking sheet until all buckeyes have been dipped and chocolate is set.

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Buckeyes Recipe - Lauren's Latest (14)
Buckeyes Recipe - Lauren's Latest (15)

Remove Toothpicks + Serve

Once peanut butter has come back to room temperature, using a twisting motion remove toothpicks. Cover the hole by gently smoothing peanut butter with your finger. Serve immediately.

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Storing Buckeyes

Store in airtight container in the fridge or at room temperature if you prefer softer peanut butter.

You can also freeze Buckeyes if you want to store them longer (perfect for a make ahead option). To freeze, place buckeyes on a parchment paper lined baking sheet or something flat that will fit in your freezer. Freeze until balls are frozen solid, then transfer to a freezer safe, airtight container or bag. They should stay fresh in the freezer up to 3 months. The texture may change slightly after freezing and thawing, but the taste shouldn’t be effected.

To thaw, allow the buckeyes to sit at room temperature 15-20 minutes before serving!

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More Peanut Butter Dessert Recipes to Try!

  • Peanut Butter Balls
  • Peanut Butter Blossoms
  • Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
  • Peanut Butter Cookies
  • No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
  • Peanut Butter Energy Balls

I hope you love these little gems! The printable recipe card is below. Have a great day, friends!

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you wouldgive it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.

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4 from 2 votes

Buckeyes

A perfect marriage of peanut butter and chocolate make Ohio-famous Buckeyes a no-bake masterpiece.

servings 36 pieces

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

Equipment

  • toothpicks for dipping

Instructions

  • Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

    Buckeyes Recipe - Lauren's Latest (19)

  • Cream softened butter and peanut butter in a bowl with hand mixer or stand mixer with paddle until color begins to lighten and mixture is silky smooth.

    Buckeyes Recipe - Lauren's Latest (20)

  • Add vanilla and salt and mix until combined.

  • SLOWLY add powdered sugar in 1/3 cup increments mixing well in between. "Dough" should be thick enough to roll into balls. If you haven't achieved that texture, add a little bit more sugar.

    Buckeyes Recipe - Lauren's Latest (21)

  • Scoop out tablespoon sized portions and roll into balls with clean hands*. Place balls onto parchment lined baking sheet. Place a toothpick into the center of each ball and refrigerate for 15 min to an hour.

    Buckeyes Recipe - Lauren's Latest (22)

  • Meanwhile, melt both types of chocolate together with coconut oil in a double boiler or microwave, stirring and making sure not to burn.

    Buckeyes Recipe - Lauren's Latest (23)

  • Remove balls from refrigerator and holding onto the toothpick, dip each ball into chocolate being sure to cover just about 80% of the peanut butter to achieve that "Buckeye" look.

    Buckeyes Recipe - Lauren's Latest (24)

  • Place back onto baking sheet until all buckeyes have been dipped and chocolate is set.

    Buckeyes Recipe - Lauren's Latest (25)

  • Once peanut butter has come back to room temperature, using a twisting motion remove toothpicks. Cover the hole by gently smoothing peanut butter with your finger. Serve immediately. Store in airtight container in refrigerator or at room temperature if you prefer softer peanut butter.

    Buckeyes Recipe - Lauren's Latest (26)

Video

Notes

*if you find your balls start out rolling out smoothly but then start to stick, try cleaning your hands periodically. Clean hands make the smoothest balls.

Nutrition

Calories: 261kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 105mg | Potassium: 136mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 104IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Buckeyes

Buckeyes Recipe - Lauren's Latest (2024)

FAQs

Why are my Buckeyes too soft? ›

You want it to be moist enough so that it will hold together when you roll it into a ball. If you're having the opposite problem and your mixture is too soft, simply add in more powdered sugar.

Why is my Buckeye dough so sticky? ›

The batter should not stick to your hands and you should have no problem rolling a ball with a smooth surface. Just remember…if the batter is crumbly, add more peanut butter. If it is too sticky, add powdered sugar.

Where does the dessert Buckeyes come from? ›

The buckeye candy originated in Ohio (a.k.a. the Buckeye State). According to legend, sometime in the 1960s, Ohio resident Gail Tabor invented buckeyes while trying to dip peanut butter balls in chocolate.

What is a Buckeye in ice cream? ›

Saturday I decided to make a batch of buckeye ice cream (rich and salty peanut butter ice cream with dark chocolate freckles for crunch).

Why are buckeyes not edible? ›

Poisonous Plant: All parts of the plant (leaves, bark, fruit) are highly toxic if ingested – because of the glycoside aesculin, the saponin aescin, and possibly alkaloids.

Do buckeyes go bad? ›

Buckeyes don't need to be immediately refrigerated. But since they contain butter you'll need to refrigerate them eventually. You can keep them at room temperature for a day or two, but after that they may start to go off.

Why are my buckeyes dry? ›

To avoid a dry, crumby dough . . .

Mix together the peanut butter and butter first, and then stir in the powdered sugar one cup at a time, until you reach the right consistency. Usually about 3 cups of powdered sugar will do for approximately 1 1/2-2 cups of peanut butter.

How do you fix tacky dough? ›

If your dough is too sticky and it's impossible to work with you can add some extra flour, just a little at a time. Make sure you weigh the extra flour you add and then you'll be able to adjust the recipe correctly the next time you bake.

How do you keep buckeyes from sweating? ›

How do you keep buckeyes from sweating? It's hard to entirely prevent condensation from a chilled candy (without adding preservatives), but there are a few things you can do to help. If you freeze the peanut butter balls before dipping, be sure to keep them covered as they await dipping.

Are buckeyes good to eat? ›

Consumption. From leaves to bark, the buckeye tree is a poisonous plant.

What are some fun facts about buckeyes? ›

These seeds are popularly believed to bring good luck, and school children especially still carry them in their pockets as a charm. And while highly poisonous, buckeye seeds contain much protein and were used as a food source by Native Americans who boiled and leached them to remove their toxins.

What are fried buckeyes? ›

A peanut butter dough ball covered in chocolate, dipped in our Super Secret Batter mix and deep fried to. golden perfection.

Why is it called Buckeyes? ›

According to folklore, the Buckeye resembles the eye of a deer and carrying one brings good luck. “Buckeyes” has been the official Ohio State nickname since 1950, but it had been in common use for many years before.

Why do they call them Buckeyes? ›

Ohio is known as the Buckeye State because buckeye trees were prevalent in the area when the territory was settled in the late 18th century. The buckeye gets its name from its distinctive nutlike seed that, when dried, appears a rich, dark brown color with a single lighter brown spot that resembles the eye of a deer.

What does buckeye taste like? ›

Buckeyes taste like peanut butter cups with an emphasis on the peanut butter! Not too sweet, really creamy, and so satisfying.

How long does it take for buckeyes to dry out? ›

Dry your buckeye nuts in the sun for a few days. If you want to speed things up, you can dry them in an over at 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93.3 degrees Celsius) for two hours [source: Buckeyetree].

Why are my peanut butter balls runny? ›

Use your fridge or freezer: If your peanut butter dough seems too soft to dip, it could be because your butter was too soft – or you live in a very warm climate. Don't worry – a little extra time in the fridge or freezer will help them firm up. Try again after 10 minutes.

Should you keep buckeyes in the fridge? ›

The Buckeyes are fine to sit out at room temperature for 24 hours on a cookie plate for example. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks when not eating.

Should I store buckeyes in the fridge? ›

The buckeyes are beautiful as is. You can store them in an air-tight container in the fridge or you can freeze them, though I will warn you if you keep them in your fridge you will be tempted to eat one every time you pass by. I like to give them away as gifts in cute bags or Christmas Chinese-like takeout boxes.

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