You'll love this Ohio Buckeye Candy Recipe! It features peanut butter balls dipped in semi-sweet chocolate for a delicious, no-bake treat. Make them for holidays, parties, gifts or just because!
Attention, all chocolate-and-peanut-butter fanatics! You need this homemade buckeye candy in your life.
It's an Ohio thing, since the buckeye is our official state tree. These candies look just like buckeye nuts.
A thick layer of chocolate hugs a ball of peanut butter fudge, leaving an enticing peanut butter circle exposed. It tastes like a homemade Reese's cup!
And before I go on, don't miss these Peanut Butter Cookie Variations!
These buckeyes tasted exactly like my family used to make in Ohio, when we lived there. This recipe was easy to make and exactly like a buckeye candy was supposed to taste. -- Jeff
Recipe ingredients
This is a buckeye recipe without paraffin wax. Old-school recipes used to add wax to the chocolate to make it shiny and prevent it from melting in your hands. I've made adjustments to the ingredients and storage method to make up for it!
Chocolate: Semi-sweet chocolate is the best chocolate for buckeyes. It provides the perfect amount of sweetness and rich flavor. Here is my favorite brand (affiliate link).
If you want to use bittersweet chocolate, you'll have to increase the amount of sugar in the peanut butter mixture. I've done this before and have provided details in the recipe notes.
I don't recommend using milk chocolate here, because the buckeye candy will turn out too sweet. Keep in mind, you can't reduce the sugar in the peanut butter mixture, or you won't be able to roll it into balls.
Peanut Butter: Regular, creamy peanut butter works best. I used to make these with natural peanut butter, but its softer consistency requires additional sugar to make the buckeye balls sturdy enough. I've included details in the notes of the recipe card.
Powdered Sugar: We tested the buckeyes with various amounts of sugar until we had just enough for sweetness and making it easy to roll the peanut butter into balls.
Canola Oil: Instead of paraffin wax, we're using some oil to make the chocolate coating smooth and shiny. You can use vegetable oil or coconut oil if you prefer.
How to make buckeye candy
See the card at the end of this post for the full recipe, but here's an overview. It helps to use a mini scoop (affiliate link) to make the balls.
- Beat the peanut butter with vanilla, butter and salt until creamy.
- Beat in powdered sugar until a crumbly dough forms.
- Scoop one teaspoon of dough, dip your hands in powdered sugar and roll the peanut butter into a ball. Place it on a tray and insert a toothpick in it. Continue making the balls and freeze them for an hour.
- Dip the frozen peanut butter balls partway into melted chocolate and remove the toothpicks. Smooth over the toothpick holes with your finger.
Recipe tips
- To prevent the peanut butter dough from sticking to your hands, dust your hands with powdered sugar before rolling each ball.
- Place a toothpick in each peanut butter ball to aid with dipping. Make sure you push the toothpick in far enough (but not all the way to the bottom) so that it will stay in place later.
- Freeze the peanut butter balls for an hour to keep them from being too soft to work with. Then, remove five at a time to dip in chocolate and refrigerate.
- Dip the peanut butter balls twice for a thicker layer of chocolately goodness.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you should refrigerate chocolate buckeyes to keep them firmer. Since they don't contain paraffin wax, the chocolate will soften after being at room temperature for a while.
Yes, buckeye candy freezes well. It tastes delicious right out of the freezer and will be soft enough to bite. If you prefer, you can let the peanut butter buckeyes come to room temperature before eating them.
More chocolate recipes
- Chocolate Frosting for Brownies
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Cheesecake
- Nutella Rice Krispie Squares
- Almond Flour Chocolate Cake
- The Best Brownies with Frosting
Enjoy!
If you try this Ohio Buckeye Candy Recipe, please leave a comment and a rating!
Buckeye Candy Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Peanut Butter Balls
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter (see notes if using natural)
- 4 tablespoons salted butter (softened)
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 ⅓ cups powdered sugar
Chocolate for Dipping
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (See notes if using bittersweet chocolate.)
- 1 tablespoon canola oil (or vegetable oil, coconut oil or shortening)
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper and set it aside. Sprinkle some powdered sugar on a plate so you can dust your hands before you roll each ball of peanut butter later.
- For the peanut butter balls, add the peanut butter, butter, vanilla and salt to a medium mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat with a mixer until creamy. Gradually add the 1 ⅓ cups of confectioners sugar, beating after each addition until blended. The dough should be crumbly.
- Using a small scoop if you have one, scoop about a teaspoon of dough. Dip your palms onto the plate of powdered sugar and then roll the dough into a ball. Set the ball on the wax-paper lined baking pan. Continue scooping and rolling, dusting your hands with confectioners sugar each time so the dough won't be sticky. Insert a toothpick into each ball (until you reach the center of the ball) and then freeze the peanut butter balls on the baking sheet for an hour.
- To prepare for dipping, have 5 or 6 paper dinner plates ready with a roll of wax paper. Just before you take the peanut butter balls out of the freezer, melt the chocolate chips and canola oil in the microwave (use a microwave-save bowl). I heated mine on high for a minute, stirred, then heated it for 15 seconds, stirred, then heated it for another 15 seconds. Stir until the chocolate mixture is melted and smooth.
- Take five peanut butter balls out of the freezer at a time and set them on a wax-paper lined plate. Using the toothpick as a handle, dip each peanut butter ball in the chocolate, leaving a circle of peanut butter exposed at the top. Dip once, lift it out, then dip again. Lift out the buckeye and let the chocolate drip off the bottom into your bowl. Set the buckeye on your wax-paper lined plate to dry. When you have dipped five buckeyes, pull out the toothpicks (if needed, you can gently press the buckeye with a toothpick held horizontally in one hand while you pull out the other toothpick with your other hand.) Using your fingertip, smooth over the toothpick hole until it's closed. Refrigerate the plate of buckeyes and grab another plate and five more peanut butter balls from the freezer. Continue dipping.
- As soon as the chocolate starts to seize up (solidify) heat it in the microwave a bit until it's melted again, giving it a stir. Continue dipping the rest of your buckeyes in small batches, refrigerating them after dipping.
- The buckeyes are ready when the chocolate is set. Store them in the refrigerator or freezer. They're delicious right out of the freezer, but you can let them sit at room temperature a bit first. If you need them for a party, freeze them, and when you are ready to serve them, set a platter of buckeyes on a tray of ice to keep the chocolate from melting.
Notes
Nutrition
(Recipe Source: Cooking with Mamma C. Originally published on May 25, 2016 and updated now with additional photos and information.)
Jeff Hosking says
These buckeyes, tasted exactly like my family used to make in Ohio, when we lived there. This recipe was easy to make and exactly like a buckeye candy was supposed to taste.
Mamma C says
Hi Jeff - I'm so happy to hear that! Thank you for leaving a review.
Jennifer says
Can u use semi sweet Chocolate chips
Mamma C says
Jennifer, yes you can. You will probably need to reduce the sugar by 1/4 cup. (Use 1 1/4 cups.)
Mamma C says
Canada needs buckeyes! You need to try these, Denise!
Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser says
Oh my such goodness Andrea-the very first time I went to Strasburg Ohio to see a good friend from College she had made these. Needless to say we ate a half plate full. I have loved them ever since. Knock-out recipe too. Woo-Hoo my friend. Cheryl xo
Mamma C says
Ohioans have a duty to share buckeyes with our friends from afar. 🙂 Thanks so much, Cheryl!
Mamma C says
You're welcome, Thalia. It's nice to hear from you. Australia needs some buckeyes!
Carol Roberts says
I have made this Buckeyes for my children and grandchildren and family members and friends at Christmas time ! They loved them ! I have made them for along time ! I love making them and eating them at the same time ! My son James who lives in Florida called me for my recipes ! I love recipes ! So thank you so much for sharing yours !
Mamma C says
What a nice tradition, Carol! I'm so glad you are enjoying the recipes. 🙂
Mamma C says
I'm so glad you know about buckeyes. They are one of my favorites! Thanks, Annie!
Mamma C says
I'm glad to share something new to you, Tamara!
Bintu | Recipes from a Pantry says
I had never heard of a buckeye before until I spent my first Christmas with my stepmom and she made them. I could. not. stop. eating them. They're one of my favorite flavor combos: peanut butter and chocolate! She's held fast to that recipe so I'm glad to finally have one to try!
Mamma C says
I know what you mean, Bintu! I had to cut myself off today...I hope you give these a try!
Mamma C says
They are really fun and bring lots of smiles. 🙂
Mamma C says
Jolina, I'm glad to introduce you to all the buckeye goodness! But the nuts are poisonous, so don't try those, LOL. This recipe does make for lots of sticky fingers and countertops (and computer keyboards in my case). But, it's so worth it. 🙂