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

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

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.

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.

What are buckeye balls made of? ›

Here's what's in buckeye balls: The peanut butter balls are made with confectioners' sugar, creamy peanut butter, unsalted butter, and vanilla extract. The coating comes together quickly with just semi-sweet chocolate chips and shortening.

What is a buckeye in ice cream? ›

We folded chunks of homemade buckeyes — the classic no-bake peanut butter-chocolate treats from Ohio— into ultra-creamy, no-churn vanilla ice cream for the ultimate indulgent spoonful. And just to kick it up a notch, we add crispy rice cereal and swirls of creamy peanut butter and melty chocolate throughout.

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.

How do you know when a buckeye is ripe? ›

Just as the trees finish flowering (sometimes before, especially in dry areas or dry seasons), the foliage will begin to show “autumnal” tints of soft yellow and tan, and the leaves begin to fall or wither.

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.

Why are my Buckeye balls sticky? ›

Why are my Peanut Butter Balls so sticky? First, make sure you're using regular peanut butter (rather than the natural peanut butter that's more runny). If it's too sticky still, you can simply add a little more powdered sugar until it's a nice consistency for rolling into small balls.

Why is my Buckeye dough sticky? ›

Why are my buckeyes sticky? This could be because it's a very humid day or the brand of the ingredients. To fix this, add more powdered sugar, ¼ cup at a time until it is firm and dry enough to roll between your palms.

Can humans eat buckeye nuts? ›

Removing the shell and roasting the nut neutralizes its harmful tannic acid content and makes for a protein-packed snack. If not prepared properly though, buckeye nuts are toxic to humans, causing symptoms including weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, paralysis, and death.

Are buckeye nuts good for anything? ›

As well as the belief in the good fortune of its storied seed, the buckeye has been held to cure rheumatism and other, more minor ailments. Pioneering farm families also made soap from the kernels of buckeye seeds, and many a child's cradle was carved from the wood of this tree.

Do buckeyes have a purpose? ›

In addition to its use as a meal by Native Americans who roasted, peeled and mashed the seeds to create a dish known as hetuck, the buckeye was also used in early medicine. Extracts from the nut have been used in cerebrospinal treatment.

What is a buckeye sundae? ›

Buckeye Sundae - with Peanut Butter Cup (or Chocolate P-Nut Butter or both!) homemade ice cream, hot fudge, peanut butter topping and a homemade buckeye. Young's Jersey Dairy.

Why do they call them buckeyes? ›

The term buckeye has widely been used to describe residents of Ohio in general since the mid 1800s. It became popular when supporters of William Henry Harrison's successful presidential campaign carved souvenirs out of buckeye wood.

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 are my peanut butter balls runny? ›

Confectioners' Sugar: Confectioners' sugar binds everything together and adds sweetness. Without this powdery sugar, the peanut butter filling will be too liquid.

How long does it take for a Buckeye 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 is my Buckeye mix sticky? ›

Why are my buckeyes sticky? This could be because it's a very humid day or the brand of the ingredients. To fix this, add more powdered sugar, ¼ cup at a time until it is firm and dry enough to roll between your palms.

Why are my buckeyes oily? ›

Some tips for making the best buckeyes, ever! Do not use natural peanut butter for these, it is much too oily. You want to reach for a traditional jar of peanut butter such as Jif, Skippy, or your favorite brand. You can use salted butter and omit the salt, if you'd prefer.

References

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