Buckeye Balls Recipe

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This buckeye balls recipe is super easy to make and a perfect no bake treat for the holidays! Made with just 5 ingredients, these buckeye balls are going to become a family favorite! They are made on the stovetop, do not require a candy thermometer, and only about 15 minutes chilling time!

buckeye balls on a white plate


 

I don’t know about you but when it comes to the holidays it can be a bit of a stressful time. The present buying, and gift wrapping, holiday decorating, Christmas card writing and sending, the cookie baking – oh all the Christmas cookies! Now don’t get me wrong I LOVE it all. And look forward to it all every year.

But this year, things got a little bit more stressful. Like my oven broke kind of universe. Yup, my oven broke. So my Christmas cookie baking has come to a screaming halt. That’s ok, though. Once I got over the initial shock of it all, and the sad fact that I may not be getting around to baking my favorite Raspberry Rugelach cookies, or my Grandmaโ€™s Russian Tea Cakes I realized that there are so many amazing no bake Christmas treats to make instead. Like Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Fudge and Oreo Cake Balls and now these amazing buckeye balls.

And hey, who doesn’t need an awesome, easy to make no bake Christmas treats, like this buckeye balls recipe. This easy Buckeye ball recipe are dipped in chocolate and make for an irresistible no bake treat perfect for your Christmas cookie platters and Christmas cookie sharing parties.

These remind me of my Homemade Reeseโ€™s Peanut Butter Eggs. Basically, these buckeyes are like eating Reese’s peanut butter cup.

buckeyes, one has a bite taken out of it, on a white plate

Why are they called Buckeye balls?

Buckeye peanut butter balls are named after buckeyes, a nut that grows on the Ohio state tree. The buckeye ball candies look just like the buckeye nuts!

Although very popular in Ohio, and the midwest, but they are enjoyed everywhere throughout the country.

Ingredients Needed

  • Vanilla
  • Peanut Butter – Use a smooth peanut butter you don’t have to stir
  • Chocolate – You can use baking chocolate that you chop and melt, or candy melts.
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Butter – I recommend and used unsalted butter

How To Make Buckeyes

  1. In a large mixing bowl, with an electric mixer, stir together the butter, sugar, peanut butter and vanilla until smooth and combined. I do this in my stand mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed for about 2 minutes, but a hand mixer also works. 
  2. Using a tablespoon, scoop the mixture into balls. Roll each ball in your hands until it forms a smooth ball.   Place onto the baking sheet.
  3. Stick a toothpick into the top of each ball. Freeze for 15 minutes (this helps with the dipping process). 
  4. While the peanut butter balls are in the freezer, melt the chocolate. I used melting wafers, but Wilton Candy melts or chocolate chips work. If using chocolate chips, add 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening (this helps with keeping it smooth and shiny). Melt the chocolate in a double boiler, or in your microwave. I melt in my microwave in 30-second increments at 50% power, and stirring in between until smooth. 
  5. Remove the peanut butter balls from the freezer, and carefully dip each ball into the chocolate leaving the top exposed. Set back onto the baking sheet to cool and harden. You may need to re-melt your chocolate if it hardens again as you are dipping the buckeyes. Remove the toothpicks. You can leave the toothpick hole, or dip your finger in water and lightly smooth the tops to cover up the hole. Refrigerate the buckeyes until firm. 
step by step photos of making buckeye balls

Recipe Tips

  • Don’t skip the freezing time. This will make it easier for dipping the peanut butter balls so they stay on the toothpick and don’t fall apart in the chocolate.
  • Use a measuring spoon. You could just pinch off a small amount of the peanut butter mixture, but if you use a spoon then all your buckeyes will be the same size.
  • Line your baking sheet. I line my baking sheet with parchment paper so the buckeye balls don’t stick.
  • Stick a toothpick in each buckeye. You want to stick a toothpick, only about halfway, into each ball after you rolled them into balls. This will make it easy for dipping in the chocolate.
buckeye balls on a white plate

Recipe FAQ’s

How long do buckeyes last?

This buckeye ball recipe will last about a week in your refrigerator in a container. Or you can freeze them for up 2 months, just make sure to thaw them before enjoying. They may form a little condensation if you freeze them, but they’ll still be very tasty!!

What kind of chocolate is best for dipping buckeyes in?

I used melting wafers (Ghiradelli makes them), or Wilton candy melts for this buckeye balls recipe. I love the melting wafers for easy melting and dipping. Or you can use chocolate chips but I recommend stirring in 2 tablespoons of vegetable shortening to keep it smooth.

How do you cover up the toothpick hole?

If you wet your finger with water and then rub your finger over the hole, it will cover it up. Or you can leave it!

buckeye on a white plate

More Recipes To Try

If you love this buckeye ball recipe, then give one of these recipes a try! Try my chocolate covered Oreos or chocolate covered strawberries for more easy chocolate treats to enjoy!

Buckeye Balls Recipe

This buckeye balls recipe is super easy to make and a perfect no bake treat for the holidays! Made with just 5 ingredients, these buckeye balls are going to become a family favorite! They are made on the stovetop, do not require a candy thermometer, and only about 15 minutes chilling time!
4.96 from 22 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Chilling Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 36 balls
Calories: 167kcal

Ingredients

  • ยฝ cup (1 stick, 113 g) unsalted butter melted
  • 3 cups (339 g) confectioners sugar
  • 2 cups (540 g) peanut butter
  • 1 ยฝ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 12 ounces candy melts melting wafers, or chocolate chips, *see note

Instructions

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, with an electric mixer, stir together the butter, sugar, peanut butter and vanilla until smooth and combined. I do this in my stand mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed, but a hand mixer also works.
  • Using a tablespoon, scoop the mixture into balls. Roll each ball in your hands until it forms a smooth ball. Place onto the baking sheet. Stick a toothpick into the top of each ball.
  • Freeze for 15 minutes (this helps with the dipping process).
  • While the peanut butter balls are in the freezer, melt the chocolate. I used melting wafers, but Wilton Candy melts or chocolate chips work. If using chocolate chips, add 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening (this helps with keeping it smooth and shiny). Melt the chocolate in a double boiler, or in your microwave. I melt in my microwave in 15-second increments, and stirring in between until smooth.
  • Remove the peanut butter balls from the freezer, and carefully dip each ball into the chocolate leaving the top exposed. Set back onto the baking sheet to cool and harden. You may need to re-melt your chocolate if it hardens again as you are dipping the buckeyes. Remove the toothpicks. You can leave the toothpick hole, or dip your finger in water and lightly smooth the tops to cover up the hole. Refrigerate the buckeyes until firm.

Video

Notes

  • Storage: Buckeye balls will last about a week in your refrigerator in a container. Or you can freeze them for up 2 months, just make sure to thaw them before enjoying. They may form a little condensation if you freeze them, but they’ll still be very tasty!!
  • Chocolate: I used melting wafers (Ghiradelli makes them), or Wilton candy melts. I love the melting wafers for easy melting and dipping. Or you can use chocolate chips but I recommend stirring in 2 tablespoons of vegetable shortening to keep it smooth.ย 
  • Toothpick hole: If you wet your finger with water and then rub your finger over the hole, it will cover it up. Or you can leave it!

Nutrition

Calories: 167kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 71mg | Potassium: 94mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 79IU | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @BostonGirlBakes or tag #BostonGirlBakes!


 

46 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    A food that kids will like, will make this for my toddler. thanks for sharing

    1. Thank you for your comment! I hope you all enjoy the Buckeye Balls as much as we do. Happy cooking, and thanks for stopping by!

  2. 5 stars
    Whipped up a batch of these for an afternoon treat, and they did not disappoint! Easy and delicious; exactly what I needed to cure my sweet tooth, indeed!

    1. Thanks for trying the recipe and sharing your feedback! Iโ€™m so happy the Buckeye Balls were the perfect treat for your sweet tooth. Glad they brightened your day!

  3. 5 stars
    These buckeye balls are delicious! I love the peanut buttery taste!

    1. Thanks so much, I am so happy that you enjoyed them!

  4. 5 stars
    This is one of my favorite sweet treats! You just can’t go wrong with peanut butter and chocolate.

    1. Thank you for your lovely comment! I completely agreeโ€”peanut butter and chocolate are a classic combo. I’m glad you enjoyed the Buckeye Balls recipe as much as we do!

  5. 5 stars
    I love peanut butter and chocolate so this recipe is right up my alley. Easy to follow and delicious. Thanks!

    1. Thank you, I’m so glad you enjoyed the Buckeye Balls and found the recipe easy to follow. Peanut butter and chocolate are always a great combo!

  6. 4 stars
    I tried this recipe for this first time and overall found it easy and tasty. I do have a few suggestionsโ€ฆ
    1. Found that the balls warm up quickly once you take them out of the freezer; had to refreeze since became too soft to dip. Would be better to take them out in batches of 8-10. Also, you need to freeze long enough so that the toothpick is firmly embedded. Otherwise it will come out of the ball while dipping. Maybe 30 min is better than 15
    2. I used the chocolate wafers which I really liked and the microwave softening worked well. However, I used a med sized mixing bowl to melt them and found it was not deep enough to cover the balls sufficiently. Ended up transferring the melted chocolate to a small dessert size dish. The smaller dish was easier to handle too.

    1. Hi Jan! I’m so glad you loved it and very helpful suggestions!! I’ll be sure to include!

4.96 from 22 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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