This no bake Buckeye Balls recipe will be a hit for chocolate and peanut butter fans. They taste like peanut butter cups and melt in your mouth.
Delicious chocolate and creamy peanut butter make this easy no bake recipe so decadent and amazing. Each bite is heavenly and really simple to make. You are going to love this buckeye balls recipe.
This is always popular at parties, around the holidays and other special occasions. Your family will ask for these year-round! They taste like a Reese’s peanut butter cup.
I also have been making Buckeye Brownies Recipe, Buckeye Brownie Cookies Recipe, and Chocolate Covered Ritz Crackers for years.
You may also love this Buckeye Pie Recipe.
What's in this post: Buckeye Balls
Why We Love This Recipe
They are very similar to Chocolate Peanut Butter balls but are not fully covered in chocolate. Buckeye balls have a little bit of peanut butter peeking out at top.
They are so yummy and an easy treat to make.
Ingredients
- Peanut butter. Use creamy peanut butter. I like Jiff or Skippy.
- Unsalted butter. Softened at room temperature.
- Powdered sugar. Sift until smooth and without lumps if needed.
- Semisweet Chocolate Chips. Try to use the best quality chocolate you can.
- Coconut oil. You can also use vegetable oil.
- Vanilla extract. Pure vanilla is suggested.
Scroll to the bottom and find the complete list of ingredients and instructions.
Additions
- Festive Sprinkles. Garnish the balls with sprinkles for any occasion.
How to Make Buckeye Balls
Step 1. Use a large mixing bowl to mix together the peanut butter, butter and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract with a mixer until fluffy. I used Jif peanut butter.
Step 2. Gradually add in the confectioners’ sugar until it’s well combined. Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes.
Step 3. Form the cookie dough into balls with a cookie scoop. This makes it so fast and easy. You can also smooth with the palms of your hand.
Step 4. Place the cookies on a wax paper lined baking sheet. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes so it will be easier to dip into chocolate.
Step 5. Melt the chocolate chips and shortening in a small microwave-safe bowl. Continue to melt in 30 second intervals until melted. You can also use a double boiler on the stove top. Insert a toothpick into each peanut butter ball and dip in melted chocolate leaving a little bit exposed.
Step 6. Let the excess chocolate drip off and then place on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Smooth out the toothpick hole with your finger. Place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Pro Tips
- Chill the peanut butter buckeyes. Don’t skip refrigerating the peanut butter balls before you dip them in chocolate. You can place them in the freezer if you are in a hurry. This will make sure the peanut butter balls will hold their shape while you’re dipping!
- Coat your hands. If you have trouble with the peanut butter balls sticking to your hands when making the ball, consider rubbing butter or non stick spray on your hands. Then roll the peanut butter mixture into balls. This should make it easier.
- Use your favorite type of chocolate. If you like dark chocolate, you can use dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips for a different flavor.
- Small Cookie Scoop. Use a cookie scoop to make each ball uniform.
- Glossy finish. If you like a shinier coating, you can add paraffin wax to the chocolate while melting.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can keep them in the fridge up to 2 weeks as long as they are in an airtight container. You can also freeze buckeye balls up to 2-3 months.
This is perfect if you want to make them ahead for parties or holidays. We do this a lot at Christmas and it helps to have some things ready in advance.
Buckeye balls are named for the Ohio State buckeye tree because they look like the buckeye nut on the tree. While everyone can certainly enjoy this delicious treat, it is more regional to the Ohio area of states. Southern states tend to make traditional peanut butter balls.
They are all very similar and taste delicious. It just comes down to really how much of the peanut butter is covered in chocolate. That is the only the difference.
More Easy Chocolate Recipes
- Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls Recipe
- 4 Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Caramel Chocolate Microwave Fudge
- Rocky Road Fudge Recipe
- Buckeye Dip Recipe
I can’t wait for you to try this buckeye candy. Please leave a comment once you do. I love hearing from my readers!
Buckeye Balls
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups peanut butter
- ½ cup butter softened
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 cups chocolate chips semi-sweet
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or vegetable oil
Instructions
- Combine peanut butter, butter and vanilla with a mixer on medium until fluffy.
- Mix in powdered sugar a little bit at a time until incorporated. Chill mixture 30 minutes.
- Roll into balls and place on a parchment lined pan. Chill mixture 30 minutes.
- Combine chocolate chips and oil in a small bowl. Microwave at 50% power for 1 minute. Stir and continue microwaving in 30 second increments just until melted.
- Place a toothpick into each peanut butter ball and dip in chocolate leaving a little bit of the peanut butter peeking out the top.
- Place on a parchment lined pan and Use your finger to smooth out the toothpick mark.
- Place in the fridge to chill until ready to serve.
I MADE THESE AND USED 1/4 CUP BUTTER AND 1/4 CUP PUMKIN PUREE-AND I AM NOT A FAN OF PUMKIN AT ALL BUT IT GIVES IT A VERY UNIQUES TASTE PLUS THE KIDS GET SOME FRUIT WHILE ENJOYING A SWEET TREAT
My husband’s favorite!
Is there something I can use besides Vegetable oil in the Chocolate?
You can use any oil – Coconut oil would be great too.
I never use any oil. Just a little bit of parafin wax.
Oh, interesting. I haven’t tried that yet. Thanks for sharing!
These turned out delicious!