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Home » Dessert » Buckeye Candy Balls

Buckeye Candy Balls

5 from 1 vote
Rate this Recipe
Total 32 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Serves 24 pieces

By: Mariam Ezzeddine | December 13, 2022 This post may contain affiliate links, read my disclosure policy for details

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Buckeye candy balls are an easy Christmas candy you can make in advance. Bite-sized chocolate peanut butter balls are perfect for gift-giving and serving at a party. Like homemade Reese’s cups, Buckeye peanut butter balls are the ideal no-bake treat for all the chocolate and peanut butter lovers in your life.

A plate of chocolate peanut butter balls.

Roll sweetened peanut butter into balls and dip them in melted chocolate for melt-in-your-mouth buckeye candy balls that are so simple to make. These creamy chocolate peanut butter balls are popular at parties, during the holidays, and whenever you need a sweet treat. Keep a batch of this easy Christmas candy in your freezer to enjoy all year long.

If you love chocolate and peanut butter, try my Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal , No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars or Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars .

Why You’ll Love Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

  • It’s so simple. Simply sweeten peanut butter with powdered sugar, roll and dip it in melted chocolate.
  • It makes a big batch. Quickly make two dozen buckeye candy balls or easily double the recipe and make enough for gift giving.
  • They are smooth and delicious. This easy Christmas candy will melt in your mouth and satisfy your sweet and salty cravings.

Buckeye Balls Ingredients

Ingredients needed for buckeye balls.
  • Peanut Butter: use your favorite brand of smooth or creamy peanut butter. You can use crunchy if you prefer, but we don’t recommend sugar-free peanut butter.
  • Confectioner’s Sugar: Also called powdered sugar or icing sugar. The sugar should be scooped and then sifted.
  • Butter: melt and cool unsalted butter.
  • Vanilla Extract: adds a mild vanilla taste to the buckeye candy balls.
  • Salt: enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
  • Chocolate: chop dark chocolate or bittersweet chocolate for melting. You can also use chocolate chips.

How To Make Buckeye Candy Balls

  • Prepare the equipment. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
how to cream the butter and sugar
  • Make the dough. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine confectioners’ sugar, peanut butter, melted (cooled) butter, salt and vanilla.
How to mix the dough for easy Christmas candy.
  • Beat until it has a thick, dough-like consistency and holds its shape when rolled into a ball.
Process for dipping buckeye candy in chocolate.
  • Form the peanut butter balls. Using a small cookie scoop, measure about one tablespoon of the dough.  Roll it into a ball and place it onto the tray with parchment paper. Repeat this process until all the dough is used. Refrigerate for 20 minutes or until firm to the touch.
  • Coat with chocolate. Melt the chocolate using a microwave oven or double bath until it is warm and smooth but not hot. Use a toothpick or a wooden skewer to pick up the peanut butter and dip it into the melted chocolate. Leave a small circle of peanut butter visible on top to make them look like Buckeyes.
  • Smooth and refrigerate. Shake off any excess chocolate and place the balls onto the parchment paper. Use a spatula or your finger to smooth the hole left by a toothpick. Refrigerate balls for the chocolate to set. Serve well chilled.
A pile of buckeye candy balls on a plate.

Tips To Make Easy Christmas Candy

  • Sift the powdered sugar before adding it to the peanut butter.
  • If the dough is too soft, add 1-2 tablespoons of powdered sugar and mix until it can stay in a ball shape.
  • Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent the buckeye candy balls from sticking.
  • Use a small cookie scoop to make uniform-sized candy balls.
  • Refrigerating or freezing the peanut butter for a short time before dipping it in chocolate is important to help the candy keep its shape.
  • We don’t recommend using sugar-free peanut butter for this recipe as it doesn’t hold its shape as well.
  • Make sure the chocolate is melted but not hot.
  • Leave a bit of peanut butter exposed when dipping in the chocolate, so they look like Buckeye nuts.
  • Use a spatula or your finger to smooth over the hole left by the toothpick.
  • Let the chocolate set completely before moving it to a storage container, or the candy balls will stick together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are they called buckeye balls?

Buckeye candy is popular in Ohio and other states in that region. It got its name from its resemblance to the nut that falls from the Buckeye tree.

What kind of chocolate is best for Buckeye candy?

Chocolate is an essential part of this recipe, so you should use high-quality chocolate whenever possible. Dark or bittersweet chocolate offers a nice contrast to the sweetness of the peanut butter.

How do you cover the hole in buckeye candy?

Using a toothpick makes it super easy to dip the peanut butter into the chocolate, but it leaves a hole behind. You can easily cover this whole with the end of a decorating spatula. Alternately, give the peanut butter a little pinch and wet your finger to smooth the peanut butter.

How do I store buckeye peanut butter balls?

Buckeye candy can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for about a month. You can serve them at room temperature, but we don’t recommend you leave them out for longer than a few hours.

Can I freeze chocolate peanut butter balls?

Buckey peanut butter balls can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 6 months. Defrost them overnight in the fridge.

What to serve with buckeye candy balls?

Make a wonderful Christmas cookie tray with these peanut butter balls and Oatmeal Jam Cookies , Peppermint Holiday Shortbread Cookies , Christmas Gingerbread Tree Cookies , and Traditional Danish Butter Cookies .

Buckeye peanut butter balls on a plate.

More Cookie Recipes

  • Brown Butter Blondies with M&M’s
  • Oatmeal Jam Cookies
  • Crispy Almond Oatmeal Cookies
  • Strawberry Jam Linzer Cookies
  • Maamoul Cookies with Pistachio

I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this delicious chocolate peanut butter balls recipe. I hope you try it, enjoy it, rate it, and share it with your friends and family!

If you try this recipe and liked it, please leave a star rating and comment below. Use my hashtag to share it with me on Instagram so I can see your delicious recreations! Also, follow me at Cookin’ With Mima on FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST for all of my latest social posts and recipes.

A plate of chocolate peanut butter balls.

Buckeye Candy Balls

5 from 1 vote
Created by Mariam E.
Buckeye candy balls are an easy Christmas candy you can make in advance. Bite-sized chocolate peanut butter balls are perfect for gift-giving and serving at a party.
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Rate
Prep Time 2 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 32 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24 pieces
pieces

Ingredients

  • 1 cup smooth peanut butter
  • 2 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar powdered sugar scooped and then sifted
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted but not hot
  • 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoons salt
  • 8 oz dark chocolate bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Instructions

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine confectioners’ sugar, peanut butter, melted (cooled) butter, salt and vanilla. Beat until it has a thick, dough-like consistency and holds its shape when rolled into a ball.
  • Using a small cookie scoop, measure about one tablespoon of the dough. Roll it into a ball and place it onto the tray with parchment paper. Repeat this process until all the dough is used.
  • Refrigerate for 20 minutes or until firm to the touch.
  • Melt the chocolate using a microwave oven or double bath until it is warm and smooth but not hot.
  • Use a toothpick or a wooden skewer to pick up the peanut butter and dip it into the melted chocolate. Leave a small circle of the peanut butter visible on top to make them look like Buckeyes.
  • Shake off any excess chocolate and place the balls onto the parchment paper. Use a spatula or your finger to smooth the hole left by a toothpick.
  • Refrigerate balls for the chocolate to set. Serve well chilled.

Notes

  • Sift the powdered sugar before adding it to the peanut butter.
  • If the dough is too soft, add 1-2 tablespoons of powdered sugar and mix until it can stay in a ball shape.
  • Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent the buckeye candy balls from sticking.
  • Use a small cookie scoop to make uniform-sized candy balls.
  • Refrigerating or freezing the peanut butter for a short time before dipping it in chocolate is important to help the candy keep its shape.
  • We don’t recommend using sugar-free peanut butter for this recipe as it doesn’t hold its shape as well.
  • Make sure the chocolate is melted but not hot.
  • Leave a bit of peanut butter exposed when dipping in the chocolate, so they look like Buckeye nuts.
  • Use a spatula or your finger to smooth over the hole left by the toothpick.
  • Let the chocolate set completely before moving it to a storage container, or the candy balls will stick together.

Nutrition

Calories: 195 kcal | Carbohydrates: 19 g | Protein: 3 g | Fat: 12 g | Saturated Fat: 5 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g | Trans Fat: 0.1 g | Cholesterol: 8 mg | Sodium: 97 mg | Potassium: 130 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 16 g | Vitamin A: 91 IU | Calcium: 13 mg | Iron: 1 mg
Tried this recipe? Rate the recipe below and mention @cookinwithmima and tag #cookinwithmima so I can see your recreations.
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Welcome, I'm Mariam!

Cookin' With Mima blog is a place where you can find hundreds of easy and delicious family-friendly recipes that are bound to please even your toughest critics. My goal is to make your cooking experience a lot easier and yummier!

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