Buckeye Bars is an easy recipe with only 6 ingredients. Each bite is the best peanut butter mixture topped with a chocolate layer. It will melt in your mouth.
This recipe for no bake peanut butter bars has all the flavors of Buckeye peanut butter Balls. Everything you love about this classic treat is transformed into bars. If you love Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups and Peanut Butter Desserts, this is a great recipe to try.
The entire peanut butter bars recipe is no bake and very easy to make. The peanut butter combined with powdered sugar and topped with chocolate ganache make this heavenly. I also make Magic Cookie Bars and Paula Deen Pumpkin Bars for a great treat.
Table of contents
Why are they called Buckeyes?
This treat is called Buckeye because it resembles the Buckeye Tree. This tree is native to Ohio and this dessert is very popular in that area.
Other regions make similar desserts but often call it peanut butter bars.
Why you will love this recipe
- No need to heat up the oven with this no bake treat. The recipe is no bake and so easy.
- Make in advance. These bars are simple to prepare ahead of time.
- Chocolate and Peanut Butter Combination. This combination is so delicious and a real treat.
- Perfect for parties, Game Day and more. Each bite tastes like a Reece’s Cup for the perfect dessert to serve.
- Prep time is minimum. With only a few ingredients, this recipe requires very little preparation.
Ingredients
- salted butter (softened)
- confectioners’ sugar
- creamy peanut butter
- Chocolate Chips
If you scroll down, you can find the entire ingredient list.
Variations to try for easy Buckeye Bars
- Extra Chocolate. If you prefer a thicker chocolate layer, double the chocolate recipe portion. Just note that it will likely take longer to set.
- Rice Krispies. Add some crunch to this recipe by adding 3 cups of Rice Krispies to the peanut butter mixture.
- Graham Crackers. Change the taste and texture slightly by adding crushed graham cracker crumbs to the mixture. Add 1 to 1 ½ cups until it is the consistency you desire.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips. Reduce the sweetness in this recipe by using semi sweet chocolate instead of milk chocolate. Dark Chocolate Chips make another great alternative.
- Crunchy Peanut Butter. Do you want a little crunch in your bars? Swap creamy peanut butter for crunchy peanut butter.
- Sunflower Seed Butter or Soy Nut Butter. If you have allergies, try using an alternative such as sunflower seed butter or soy nut butter. The texture might be different when using substitutes.
How to make Buckeye Bars
- Step 1. Prepare the pan. Line a 9X13 baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Set aside.
Step 2. Combine the peanut butter mixture in a large bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat together the butter, confectioner’s sugar, peanut butter and vanilla extract. The mixture will be thick and a bit crumbly. If you are using the bowl of a stand mixer, you can use the paddle attachment to stir.
Step 3. Next, press the mixture into the baking dish. Use your hands to press the mixture down into the bottom of the 9X13 pan.
Step 4. Melt the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Heat in 30 second intervals until melted and smooth. Spread the chocolate mixture evenly on top of the peanut butter layer in the pan.
Step 5. Let the bars set at room temperature. Cut the bars with a sharp knife. Then the bars are ready to cut, serve and enjoy!
Storage
Cover leftover Chocolate Peanut Butter bars tightly inside an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator up to 1 week.
Can I freeze the bars?
Yes, this recipe is easy to freeze. Cut the bars and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in the freezer for 1 to 2 hours.
Then transfer the bars into a freezer container or bag. They will be easy to remove and not stick to each other since you flash froze them.
Freeze up to 4 months. Thaw the Peanut Butter Buckeye Bars overnight in the fridge when ready to serve.
Tips for Success
- Real Butter is best. We suggest using butter in thsi recipe and not margarine. It can be watery and alter the taste and texture.
- Powdered Sugar is the best sweetener. This also gives the bars a creamy texture. Granulated sugar can be grainy so do not substitute with this.
- Avoid natural peanut butters. Shelf stable peanut butter is best for this recipe. It results in the perfect creamy bars. Natural peanut butter can be oily.
Frequently Asked Questions
The recipe is gluten free but be careful of any add ins that you decide to use. This may alter the bars and their gluten free status.
Also, some types of powdered sugar container a starch ingredient that includes gluten. As a precaution, we suggest checking all labels of ingredients you are concerned about.
Cutting the bars once the chocolate has completely set may result in cracking. Allow the bars to set in the fridge for a portion of the time and then cut.
Place back in the fridge for the remaining time and allow to set.
Yes, you can half this recipe. Reduce the ingredients in half and use a 9×9 baking dish.
We do not suggest using natural peanut butter in this recipe. The oil in this type of peanut butter will not result in the same texture.
It can lead to the mixture separating and won’t have that creamy texture everyone loves.
More Easy Buckeye Recipes
Once you make this buckeye bars recipe, come back and leave a star recipe rating and comment.
Buckeye Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter softened
- 3 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 cups Chocolate Chips
- 1 Tablespoon Shortening
Instructions
- Line a 9X13 baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat together the butter, confectioner’s sugar, peanut butter and vanilla extract with a hand held mixer or stand up mixer. The mixture will be thick and a bit crumbly.
- Use your hands to press the mixture down into the bottom of the 9X13 pan.
- Place the chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave safe bowl. Heat in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval, until melted and smooth.
- Spread the chocolate mixture evenly on top of the peanut butter layer in the pan.
- Allow to sit at room temperature until the chocolate is fully set.
- Then the bars are ready to cut, serve and enjoy!
