Peanut Butter Balls {Buckeyes Candy}

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You don’t have to be from Ohio to love Peanut Butter Buckeyes. These homemade buckeye candies have a soft peanut butter filling surrounded by rich chocolate. They’re simple to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser!

After you make these peanut butter balls, try my Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge or peanut butter brownies next!

Homemade buckeyes on parchment paper.
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The Best Buckeye Candy Recipe

If you’re not from Ohio or the Midwest, you’ve been missing out on Buckeyes! Thanks to my short life in Ohio, we found the BEST recipe. The ONLY way you should be making these candies.

They’re similar to a Reese’s peanut butter cup. A soft peanut butter mixture is rolled into balls then covered in melted chocolate.

  • This peanut butter ball recipe only takes a few ingredients and no special equipment!
  • The candies are soft and tender in the middle with a crunch of chocolate coating.

Everyone raves over this recipe for peanut butter balls when I bring them to a party or potluck! They keep well for a couple of weeks so Buckeyes make great gifts too.

You don’t need any excuse to whip up a batch of these chocolate covered peanut butter balls. Buckeyes are ALWAYS a good idea.

If you love today’s candy, be sure to try my chocolate peanut butter pie recipe next! So easy, and no bake too. Add a delicious buckeye to my easy buckeye brownie cookies!

Ingredients for Buckeyes

Ingredients needed to make homemade buckeyes.
  • Creamy peanut butter. You need regular shelf stable peanut butter for this Buckeye recipe. Do not use natural style peanut butters.
  • Powdered sugar. the superfine texture of powdered sugar keeps these buckeyes soft and not grainy. Sometimes people call it confectioners sugar.
  • Melted Butter. I use unsalted in my recipes, unless specified differently (like in our rice krispie treats).
  • Vanilla Extract– choose pure vanilla extract or use my homemade vanilla extract in baking.
  • Chocolate melting wafers. These are the trick to candies with a perfectly smooth chocolate coating. I use the Ghirardelli brand. You can also use melting wafers called “chocolate bark” or “candyquik”!

Aimee’s Secret

What you don’t see in my recipe? Graham cracker crumbs. I’m not sure why some recipes use them, but for the most authentic buckeye, you’ll love my simple version.

How to Make Peanut Butter Balls

Step by step photos showing how to make buckeyes.
  1. Make peanut butter filling: Blend together the peanut butter ball ingredients to combine.
  2. Roll into balls. Roll the filling into evenly sized balls with your hands. Place on a baking sheet. Chill for about 1 hour in the refrigerator.
  3. Dip in chocolate coating: Melt the chocolate wafers according to package directions. Use a toothpick to dip the buckeye balls into melted chocolate.
  4. Allow to set. Leave the top of the peanut butter ball exposed for a classic Buckeye appearance! Pinch the toothpick marks on the peanut butter balls closed and smooth with your finger.

Tips and Tricks

  • Line the pan with parchment paper. This keeps the peanut butter balls from sticking and helps catch the mess of dripping chocolate.
  • Let an excess chocolate drip off the peanut butter balls over the bowl before placing them on the cookie sheet to set.
  • No need to refrigerate the Buckeyes after dipping them in chocolate. The chocolate will harden quickly at room temperature.
  • If you prefer the look of Buckeyes with the toothpick hole in the center, you can skip the step of pinching the holes closed.
  • For an even easier dessert, make buckeye bars instead! No rolling and dipping.
Buckeyes dipped in chocolate and stacked on parchment paper cookie sheets.

Recipe FAQs

Can you freeze peanut butter balls?

Once the chocolate has hardened, place the peanut butter balls in a Ziploc freezer bag or airtight container. Make sure they are in a single layer. Freeze for up to 3 months.

How do you store homemade Buckeyes?

Store these in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll keep well for about 1 week. While they don’t need chilling, they do taste good cold as well! So feel free to pop them in the fridge if you prefer.

Do you use milk chocolate or white chocolate for Buckeyes?

You can use either one! Milk Chocolate is more common but dark chocolate tastes great with the peanut butter center too.

I don’t have melting wafers. Can I use melted chocolate chips?

I don’t recommend using melted chocolate chips for the coating. They aren’t designed for melting so they create a harder coating when the chocolate sets.

Buckeyes stacked on top of eachother.

Easy Homemade Candy Recipes

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Peanut Butter Buckeyes Recipe

5 from 2 votes
By: Aimee
You don't have to be from Ohio to love Peanut Butter Buckeyes. These homemade candies have a soft peanut butter filling surrounded by rich chocolate. They're easy to make and always a hit!
Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 48 servings

Ingredients 

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter melted
  • 3 ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 12 ounce chocolate candy coating Ghirardelli melting wafers, chocolate
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Instructions 

  • In a large mixing bowl, blend melted butter, powdered sugar, peanut butter and vanilla extract until fully combined.
  • Scoop balls and roll them into your hands, making about a 1-1/2 inch sized ball. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and repeat until all filling is used.
  • Refrigerate for about one hour.
  • Melt chocolate according to package directions. Using a toothpick, dip bottoms into melted chocolate (leaving some of the peanut butter tops exposed). Place on parchment paper and allow to set.
  • If desired, when chocolate has set, pinch the toothpick marks closed and pat until smooth. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks. ENJOY.

Notes

  • Line the pan with parchment paper. This keeps the peanut butter balls from sticking and helps catch the mess of dripping chocolate.
  • Let an excess chocolate drip off the peanut butter balls over the bowl before placing them on the cookie sheet to set.
  • No need to refrigerate the Buckeyes after dipping them in chocolate. The chocolate will harden quickly at room temperature.
  • If you prefer the look of Buckeyes with the toothpick hole in the center, you can skip the step of pinching the holes closed. It’s up to you!
  • Make buckeye bars instead! No rolling and dipping.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 142kcal, Carbohydrates: 14g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 9mg, Sodium: 45mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 12g
Course: Candy
Cuisine: American
Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

Peanut Butter Balls (Ohio Buckeyes) are a holiday treat that is easy to make. Even the kids can help you create this classic no bake dessert that even the kids can help you create!

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About Aimee

Aimee is a dessert lover (specifically rice krispie treats), workout enthusiast, self-taught foodie, and recipe creator.

Learn more about Aimee.

Affiliate Disclosure:**There may be affiliate links in this post! By clicking on them, or purchasing recommended items I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I love! Thank you for supporting Shugary Sweets! See my disclosure policy for more info**

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Posted on October 25, 2019

Comments & Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    These are my favorite holiday treat! This recipe is just like my nana used to make and I make this by the baker’s dozen

  2. I’ve made these for years, but as one person commented, I also use the semi chocolate chips & Gulf Wax. I live in Kentucky, about 30 miles from Ohio, so we know about these 🙂 I make a Transparent Pie or Tarts that are easy to make but many here have never heard of that either! 🙂 Love the buckeyes!

5 from 2 votes

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