Buckeye candy is such an easy recipe, made with a handful of pantry staple ingredients. These no bake sweets are made with peanut butter and chocolate and are great for the holiday season and for gift giving.

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Buckeye candy is such and easy homemade treat that everyone loves! I love making a big batch and giving some away as gifts to friends and family across the holidays!

It’s the perfect treat to make for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Easter, or any occasion.

How to Make This Buckeye Candy Recipe

In an electric mixer, combine the cream powdered sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla and salt. Shape into small balls and refrigerate them until they are firm.

Once the dough is chilled, melt the chocolate and shortening in a microwave or bain-marie.

Insert a toothpick into each peanut butter ball and dip into the melted chocolate. Place the balls on to a baking sheet lined with parchment and refrigerate until firm.

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Buckeye candies piled on top of each other

What are buckeyes?

Buckeye candy is essentially peanut butter balls that are dipped in chocolate. They are sweet and creamy with a hint of saltiness. I love that they are no bake and come together so quickly and easily. If you’re a fan of buckeye’s, you’ll for sure love my Chocolate Peanut Butter Lava Cakes!

How long do buckeyes last?

Once you have made the buckeye candy, transfer them to an airtight container and they will keep for up to two weeks. Their long shelf life makes them great to gift. I like to pop some in a small cellophane bag and tie with a ribbon and a name tag. Perfect for hostess gifts or for neighbours and teachers.

Can buckeye candy be frozen?

Buckeyes freeze really well! Simply store them in an airtight container in the freezer and thaw them in the fridge the night before you want to serve them.

What do you need to make Buckeye Candy?

These candies are made with just a handful of simple ingredients. You will need:

Powdered sugar
Creamy peanut butter: Use smooth peanut butter, and natural doesn’t work as well.
Butter
Vanilla extract: Use pure over imitation if you can.
Salt
Semi-sweet chocolate chips
Shortening or oil

A Buckeye candy with a bite taken out of it

The finished chocolate and peanut butter bites

Top Tips For Making This Buckeye Candy Recipe

Allow enough time for the peanut butter balls to chill and firm, it will take about 1 hour.
If you don’t have a microwave, you can melt the chocolate on the stovetop in a bain-marie.
Place the chocolate covered buckeyes on a parchment paper lined tin for easy removal.
Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

For more chocolate treats:

Recipe Card

Buckeye Candy Recipe

4.71 from 17 votes

Prep: 30

Chilling time: 1

Total: 30

Servings: candies

Author: Becky Hardin

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Equipment

Kitchen Scale (optional)
2 Baking Sheet
Stand Mixer

Ingredients

▢ 4 cups powdered sugar 452
▢ 1½ cups creamy peanut butter 405 grams, Jif recommended
▢ ½ cup salted butter 113 grams, melted (1 stick)
▢ 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract 6 grams
▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3 grams (use less if using salted peanut butter)
▢ 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips 340 grams (1 package), Ghirardelli recommended
▢ 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening 12 grams

Instructions

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the powdered sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and salt together until creamy and incorporated, about 2-3 minutes.
4 cups powdered sugar, 1½ cups creamy peanut butter, ½ cup salted butter, 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
When the dough is completely chilled, microwave the chocolate chips and shortening (or oil), stirring every 15 seconds, on HIGH until most of the chips are melted. Remove from the microwave and stir until smooth and all chips are melted.
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips, 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening
Insert a toothpick in the top-middle of a peanut butter ball and dip ⅔ of it in the melted chocolate. Let the excess chocolate drip into the bowl, and place the buckeye on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with all peanut butter balls. (Note: If the chocolate begins to thicken, microwave for a few seconds until desired consistency.)
Refrigerate the Buckeyes in a covered container until firm before serving.

Becky’s Tips

If desired, use a finger or the back of a small spoon to smooth the small dot on the top of the Buckeyes from the toothpick.
You can use vegetable oil in place of the shortening, if desired.
Allow enough time for the peanut butter balls to chill and firm, it will take about 1 hour.
If you don’t have a microwave, you can melt the chocolate on the stovetop in a bain-marie.
Place the chocolate covered buckeyes on a parchment paper lined tin for easy removal.
Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Storage: Store buckeye candies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Serving: 1candyCalories: 118kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 79mgPotassium: 69mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 50IUCalcium: 7mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.