This easy buckeye recipe is made with peanut butter balls dipped almost all the way in a crispy chocolate shell. It’s a popular no-bake treat for the holidays and is a family favorite!

Other candy recipes that we love to make include Oreo balls, chocolate coconut balls and homemade Twix bars.

Buckeys stacked on top of each other.

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Creamy Peanut Butter Buckeyes

I was first introduced to this easy buckeye recipe when I lived in Ohio. They are basically peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate but with some of the top exposed. It’s a classic combination that is a popular treat at Christmas!

I’ve made a few buckeye desserts like my buckeye brownies and chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting, but this buckeye recipe one of our favorite goodies to add to Christmas cookie plates with other no-bake recipes.

Buckeyes Ingredients

Buckeye ingredients.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Peanut butter: Make sure to use creamy peanut butter in this recipe. You won’t get the same result with a natural, drippy type.
  • Butter: Use unsalted butter for the best taste. Also, make sure it’s been softened before getting started.
  • Vanilla: A boost of vanilla adds the perfect touch to these buckeyes. Pure vanilla extract will give you the best flavor.
  • Powdered sugar: This helps sweeten them up while adding a thick texture.
  • Chocolate: Semi-sweet chocolate is my favorite, however dark chocolate would tastes delicious too. I prefer to use chocolate melting wafers because of their extra smooth consistency when melted, but you can also use chocolate chips.

How to Make Buckeyes

Mix together peanut butter, butter, and vanilla with an electric mixer. Gradually add in 1 cup powdered sugar and mix. Add the last 1/2-3/4 cup powdered sugar and combine peanut butter mixture with your hands. The consistency should be thick. If it’s too sticky, add more powdered sugar.

Peanut butter, butter, vanilla and powdered sugar in a bowl with beaters.
Smooth peanut butter mixture in a cookie scoop.

Shape peanut butter dough into 1-inch balls and roll until smooth. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 15 minutes. Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 60 seconds or in a double boiler. Stir until smooth.

Buckeyes on parchment paper lined cooking sheet.
Dipping a buckeye into chocolate.

Remove from the freezer and stick a toothpick in the center (don’t go too far down or it will be hard to get out). Dip the buckeye ball 3/4 of the way into the melted chocolate. Allow excess chocolate drip off and then place back on the parchment paper. Let set for a minute and then gently remove the toothpick. Repeat.

Buckeyes stacked on top of each other on a white plate.

Tips for Success

Here are a few tips to help you make the best buckeye recipe ever!

  • I use a small cookie scoop to form my buckeyes evenly. Then roll them in my hands to create a super smooth texture.
  • If the mixture is crumbly you may have added the sugar too quickly. Add sugar gradually and keep stirring the mixture, it will come together.
  • I prefer using longer toothpicks when dipping my buckeyes into chocolate. They’re easier to hold and less messy.
  • If you don’t want to see the toothpick hole, just press down gently once they are set and they will close. I like to keep them there because that’s how the ones that are sold in Ohio look.
Buckeyes stacked on top of each other with a bite out of one of them.

For more chocolate and peanut treats make chocolate peanut butter sandwiches, no bake peanut butter bars or chocolate peanut butter fudge.

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chocolate peanut butter buckeye with a bite taken

Buckeye Candy

5 from 26 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time:: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 30
This easy buckeye recipe is made with peanut butter balls dipped almost all the way in a crispy chocolate shell. A popular no-bake candy for the holidays!
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Ingredients 

  • ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter , softened
  • ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar divided
  • 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate melting wafers

Instructions

  • Prep. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Make peanut butter dough. In a medium bowl, mix together 3/4 cup peanut butter, 1/4 cup butter, and 3/4 teaspoon vanilla with an electric mixer. Gradually add in 1 cup powdered sugar and mix until well combined. Add the last 1/2 to 3/4 cup powdered sugar and mix with your hands until all the sugar is gone. It should be a thick consistency. Add more powdered sugar, if it's too sticky.
  • Roll into balls. Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place on baking sheet. I like to use a small cookie scoop and then roll them in my hands. Freeze 15 minutes.
  • Melt chocolate. In a small bowl, melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or in the microwave 60 seconds. Stir until melted and smooth.
  • Dip into chocolate. Remove from the freezer and place a toothpick in the center (don't go too far down or it will be hard to get out). I like to use the longer toothpicks. Dip 3/4 of the way into the chocolate. Let the excess chocolate drizzle off and place back on the parchment paper. Let set for 1 minute and gently remove the toothpick. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
  • Chill. Chill 10 minutes to let the chocolate harden. Then stack in a sealed container. Best stored in the refrigerator.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Storage: This buckeye recipe is best stored in the refrigerator so that they keep their shape and texture. Simply place them in an airtight container or bag and store in fridge for up to 1 week.
Freezer: If you’d like to freeze the buckeyes, I’d recommend flash freezing them first so that they don’t stick together. Place them on a baking sheet and freeze for about 30 minutes, or until hard. Then place in a freezer container and store for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 132kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 5mg, Sodium: 29mg, Potassium: 88mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 52IU, Calcium: 9mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Recipe FAQs

What is a buckeye candy?

If you haven’t tried a buckeye, it’s basically just a peanut butter ball partially dipped in chocolate to leave a circle on the top. They resemble the nut from the Ohio state tree. So cute and tasty!

Why are they called a buckeye?

The buckeyes are named after the state of Ohio’s tree. The bucket treat resembles the shape and color similar to the nuts on the tree.

What do buckeyes taste like?

They are a sweet and salty combination! It is crumbly from the peanut butter but also smooth and creamy. Once they are dipped in chocolate they taste similar to the peanut butter cup dessert.

How to store them?

These are best stored in the refrigerator so that they keep their shape and texture. Simply place them in an airtight container or bag and store them in the fridge for up to 1 week.

If you’d like to freeze them I’d recommend flash-freezing them first so that they don’t stick together. Place them on a baking sheet and freeze for about 30 minutes, or until hard. Then place in a freezer container and store for up to 2 months.