Only a few ingredients are required for this easy Buckeye recipe. These classic peanut butter candies come together in a matter of minutes and are dipped in dark chocolate for a snappy shell around a creamy peanut butter center.
I’ve been holding out on you.
I made this buckeye recipe a few weeks ago, but have waited until now to share it on the blog.
I was hesitant to share it at all at first: it’s so simple, and does the internet really need another buckeye recipe?
Ultimately I decided yes, it does, and I simply couldn’t go on unless I shared my slightly modified version of buckeyes with you.
Buckeyes are among the easiest candies out there. They call for only a handful of ingredients, require no oven, stovetop, or candy thermometer, and request a modest 15 minutes of chilling before you can coat the creamy peanut butter centers in dark chocolate.
My first experience with a buckeyes actually came in the form of Buckeye Brownies. I made those brownies dozens of times over before I ever tried my hand at a buckeye recipe, and while the brownies might always be my favorite peanut butter/chocolate dessert, buckeyes in their true form hold a close second, and definitely come first in terms of ease.
This simple buckeye recipe received several tweaks from its classic form that I think you will appreciate. I added two heavy spoonfuls of brown sugar for a little bit of depth of flavor (peanut butter and brown sugar together = heaven… and add some dark chocolate and you have complete nirvana)
A lot of powdered sugar goes into the mix, but that’s what helps these buckeyes hold their shape and makes them easy to dip into your chocolate. If your buckeye mixture is too soft to hold a solid ball or sticks to your fingers when you try to roll it, you can always add more powdered sugar (a tablespoon at a time) until the desired consistency is reached.
Despite all of the sugar, thanks to the peanut butter (and an honorable mention to the dark chocolate), this buckeye recipe doesn’t seem overly sweet once it’s finished.
Enjoy!
Full printable recipe is just below the video.
Easy Buckeye Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups creamy peanut butter (not "natural" peanut butter) (475g)
- ½ cup salted butter softened (113g)
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar* packed
- 1 ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ¼ cups powdered sugar (405g)
- 12 oz dark chocolate melting wafers (340g)
Instructions
- Combine peanut butter and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until well-combined.
- Add brown sugar and vanilla extract. Stir well.
- Gradually add powdered sugar until completely combined. Scoop into Tablespoon-sized balls and roll with the palms of your hand until smooth and round.**
- Place on wax-paper lined cookie sheet and freeze for 15-20 minutes.
- While peanut butter balls are chilling, prepare your chocolate according to package instructions. Pour into a deep dish (I use a wide cup).
- Remove peanut butter balls from freezer, spear the top of each peanut butter ball with a toothpick and, holding the toothpick, dip each buckeye ball into the melted chocolate.
- Return to cookie sheet and remove toothpick. Use the pads of your fingers to smooth over the toothpick mark.
- Allow chocolate to harden before eating and enjoying.
- Buckeye balls are best kept refrigerated.
Notes
Nutrition
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Samantha
First thank you Sam for sharing your recipes I bake with confidence when I use any of your recipes. I’ve made these buckeyes at least a dozen times and have never had a problem with them being gritty but I always use domino light brown sugar. The last time I made them I had to buy an off brand light brown sugar (happy belly distributed by Amazon through whole foods) and they were super gritty! So maybe the brand of light brown sugar is what makes the difference?
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Samantha! We’re so glad you love this recipe. Yes, it could be that off-brand brown sugar was the problem. Different types of powdered sugar can also cause this. Hopefully they still tasted good! 🙂
Dominic R.
😋 Thank you amazing dessrt my daughter loved making these an we all enjoyed them.
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much, Dominic! 🙂
unknown
me too I enjoyed making them and sharing them with my friends
Amanda
These are really good, though next time I will leave out the brown sugar and add a little salt. I just don’t like the brown sugar crunching in my teeth.
Lisa
Made this for my adult children. My 19 year-old daughter remarked that some are too sweet, or too gritty, or too heavy, or the peanut butter is the only thing you taste. This was (in her words) divine! She also said she thinks it is the best dessert I have ever made (and we’re not shy with desserts), so, thank you!
Sam
That is so awesome! I’m so glad everyone enjoyed them so much, Lisa! 🙂
Laura collier
Just made these? So easy and delicious. Thanks for making something easy so delicious I’ll never buy a reese’s egg again😋
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much, Laura! 🙂
Anne
I have made these before but using crushed up Graham crackers instead of brown sugar and it’s so good too.
Amy
I’ve never had Buckeyes or used a stand mixer before, so I was a little intimidated going in. They turned out sooo good and I’m not even a huge fan of peanut butter! (Made them for my family.) Thank you for the recipe. ☺️
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed them so much, Amy! 🙂
Dana K
Friends and family loved these! Would I be able to half the recipe next time?
Sam
Hi Dana! That will work just fine. 🙂
isabella
theses taste just like reece’s! the texture of the peanut butter and the dark chocolate are so good wow.. the only thing i would change to my personal preference would be to put a little less powdered sugar, but either way these are so delicious!
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed them so much, Isabella! 🙂
Amy
How long do the buckeyes keep if refrigerated?
Sam
Hi Amy! They should last for about 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Make sure to store them in an air tight container. 🙂
Natalie Pelto
Super super yummy and easy to make!!!
I used vegan butter and vegan chocolate to make them vegan and my non-vegan family couldn’t taste the difference!
My only complaint is that they were a tad too sweet and they needed more peanut butter but that is also a personal preference! Next time maybe I would add less powdered sugar or no brown sugar?
Anyways, great recipe!!
Thank you!
Sam
I’m so glad you ultimately enjoyed them, Natalie! You could leave the brown sugar out if you’d like. 🙂
Phillip
Took the BUCKEYES to work and shared them. Everyone loved them.
Two thumbs up!!
Kait
Here in the Netherlands, I struggle to find truly creamy peanut butter like Skippy, but since my southern-raised husband couldn’t have his mom’s buckeyes this year, I wanted to try making them myself with the semi-creamy peanut butter we have here.
I used two extra tablespoons of butter to accommodate for the texture plus a bit of salt to balance the sweetness, and husband said they were the best buckeyes he’s ever had! While I don’t usually love buckeyes, I have to admit I’ve had my fair share this year, too.
Thanks so much for the great recipe—it gave both of us a little bit of home for the holidays.
Sam
I am so glad everyone enjoyed them so much, Kait! Thanks for your feedback using your substitutions. 🙂
Sally Blevins
Mine were delicious
Brandon Dodson
Ours turned out ugly but delicious!
Jennifer Zanes
Perfect as written. Nice dipping hack I use is to melt in the Instant pot/slow cooker and then fill an ice cream scoop with melted chocolate. Dip peanut butter balls in that. No need to swirl around and risk losing a buckeye into the chocolate. Thank you for sharing. Made a double batch last night in no time.
Vylett
Really really delicious 🤤,but they were a little messy with my family but other wise they were easy and good!