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Easy Buckeye Balls Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 62 reviews

This Easy Buckeye Recipe combines creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate to create classic bite-sized treats resembling Ohio’s famous buckeye nuts. Smooth peanut butter balls are dipped in melted chocolate and chilled until firm, making for a perfect combination of sweet and salty flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Peanut Butter Mixture

  • 2 cups creamy peanut butter (not natural peanut butter)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, firmly packed
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 ¼ cups powdered sugar

Chocolate Coating

  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening

Instructions

  1. Mix the peanut butter and butter: Combine the creamy peanut butter and softened unsalted butter in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
  2. Add sugar, vanilla, and salt: Stir in the light brown sugar, vanilla extract, and salt thoroughly until evenly distributed.
  3. Incorporate powdered sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar to the mixture, mixing continuously until fully combined into a thick, malleable dough.
  4. Shape the buckeye balls: Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of the mixture and roll them into smooth, round balls using the palms of your hands.
  5. Freeze the peanut butter balls: Place the formed balls on a wax-paper lined cookie sheet and freeze for 15 to 20 minutes to firm up.
  6. Melt the chocolate coating: While the peanut butter balls chill, combine the semisweet chocolate chips and coconut oil or vegetable shortening in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 25-second intervals, stirring well between each, until the chocolate is completely smooth and melted. Transfer the chocolate to a deep dish suitable for dipping.
  7. Dip the buckeye balls: Remove the peanut butter balls from the freezer. Using a toothpick, spear the top of each ball and dip it into the melted chocolate until about three-quarters covered, leaving a small portion of peanut butter visible to mimic the buckeye nut.
  8. Remove toothpicks and smooth: Place the dipped balls back onto the cookie sheet. Carefully remove each toothpick and use your finger pads to gently smooth over the hole left behind.
  9. Harden the chocolate coating: Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature or speed up the process by placing the cookie sheet in the refrigerator until the chocolate is firm before serving.

Notes

  • Use creamy peanut butter for better texture; natural peanut butter may be too oily and affect consistency.
  • Firmly pack the light brown sugar for accurate sweetness balance.
  • Coconut oil or vegetable shortening helps the chocolate dip to harden with a smooth finish.
  • Store buckeyes in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
  • Handle the peanut butter balls gently when dipping to keep their shape intact.

Keywords: buckeye recipe, peanut butter balls, chocolate dipped treats, easy holiday recipes, no bake dessert

Find it online: https://chefmilacook.com/easy-buckeye-balls-recipe/