• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
Sugar Spun Run
  • All Recipes
  • Desserts
    • Cookies
    • Candy
    • Bars & Brownies
    • Cake
    • Pies
  • Pastries
  • Breads
  • Savory
  • Breakfast
    • Muffins
    • Scones
  • Seasonal
    • Cozy Winter / Holiday Treats
    • Easter / Spring
    • Fall Recipes
    • Summer Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About Me
  • All Recipes
  • Contact/Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Desserts / Candy / Easy Buckeye Recipe

    Easy Buckeye Recipe

    March 6, 2017 Updated December 28, 2017 BySam 301 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Buckeye Balls

    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.

    A simple buckeye recipe! These are so easy to make and SO GOOD! || Sugar Spun Run

    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?

    A simple buckeye recipe! These are so easy to make and SO GOOD! || Sugar Spun Run

    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.

    A simple buckeye recipe! These are so easy to make and SO GOOD! || Sugar Spun Run

    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.

    A simple buckeye recipe! These are so easy to make and SO GOOD! || Sugar Spun Run

    Enjoy!

    Full printable recipe is just below the video.

    Buckeye balls

    Easy Buckeye Recipe

    A simple Buckeye recipe for deliciously decadent peanut butter chocolate candies.
    4.79 from 145 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Candy, Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 40 buckeyes
    Calories: 155kcal
    Author: Sam Merritt

    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)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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

    *Some people have commented that the addition of brown sugar makes the cookies taste a bit gritty, I have not personally found this to be the case but if you are worried about this you can leave the brown sugar out without adjusting any of the other ingredients
    **If dough is too sticky to roll, add more powdered sugar, a Tablespoon at a time

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1buckeye | Calories: 155kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 84mg | Potassium: 86mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 71IU | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.

    Tried this recipe? Show me on Instagram!Mention @SugarSpun_Sam or tag #sugarspunrun!

    You Might Also Like:

    Buckeye Brownies

    Buckeye Brownies -- These are DELICIOUS!

    Chocolate Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies

    Chocolate Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies

    Peanut Butter Truffles

    Peanut Butter Truffles

    « Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
    Nutella Stuffed Cookies »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Heather Gilstrap

      December 22, 2020 at 12:55 pm

      5 stars
      How long do these last? Wondering if I could make them today and they would be good for christmas!

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 22, 2020 at 1:04 pm

        Hi Heather! These will be fine to keep until Christmas. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Jessica

      December 22, 2020 at 2:30 am

      5 stars
      I don’t believe there’s a recipe of yours I’ve tried and not liked. The other day I was wanting to make buckeyes and my first thought was, “I wonder if SugarSpunRun has one?” Absolutely delicious.

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 22, 2020 at 12:25 pm

        Thank you so much, Jessica! I’m so glad you enjoy everything so much! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Maria F

      December 21, 2020 at 6:56 pm

      can you use margarine instead of butter?

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 21, 2020 at 9:51 pm

        Hi Maria! While I have never tried it personally, I believe it should work just fine. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Becca

      December 21, 2020 at 12:11 am

      If you are worried about the brown sugar making it gritty, use 1T of molasses instead. Adds depth of flavor with not grit.

      Reply
    5. Diane

      December 19, 2020 at 10:15 am

      Hi!
      Do have the full nutritional values for this recipe? I would like to know the carbs and fat. Thanks!
      Diane

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 19, 2020 at 9:09 pm

        Hi Diane! I don’t have the full nutritional values. I typically enter the ingredients in a free nutritional calculator like My Fitness Pal to determine these. 🙂

        Reply
    6. ROnda

      December 19, 2020 at 7:15 am

      Why would u say to not use natural peanut butter? Have you tried that before and what happened?

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 19, 2020 at 9:09 pm

        Hi Ronda! Natural peanut butter has a tendency to separate which is why I don’t recommend it. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Betty

      December 18, 2020 at 1:13 pm

      Hi, instead of using chocolate wafers or chips. Can I use almond bark?

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 18, 2020 at 1:14 pm

        Absolutely! Enjoy 🙂

        Reply
    8. Madge Allen

      December 17, 2020 at 5:55 pm

      Can the buckeyes be frozen and dipped in chocolate at a later date?

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 17, 2020 at 10:27 pm

        That should work just fine. 🙂

        Reply
      • Laurie

        December 19, 2020 at 6:35 pm

        It does work, but they sweat so you want to make sure they’re completely thawed and pay dry before dipping.

        Reply
    9. Marie

      December 17, 2020 at 5:10 pm

      Hello, I’d like to make the crunchy kind of buckeyes using Rice Krispy cereal. Do you have a suggestion here?

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 18, 2020 at 10:00 am

        Hi Marie! You should be able to stir some right into the batter. I haven’t tried it so I’m not sure how much to add. Let me know how it goes. 🙂

        Reply
    10. Sally

      December 17, 2020 at 9:41 am

      Can you do milk chocolate instead of darck chocolate

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 17, 2020 at 10:48 am

        Hi Sally! It will be pretty sweet but it will work. 🙂

        Reply
    11. Pam

      December 17, 2020 at 9:28 am

      Need full nutrition values please in ounces

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 17, 2020 at 10:47 am

        Hi Pam! I typically use a free nutritional calculator like my fitness pal to find all of the nutritional values. 🙂

        Reply
    12. Lynda

      December 15, 2020 at 11:38 pm

      5 stars
      Can’t wait to make these again for christmas

      Reply
    13. Joyce Mumford

      December 15, 2020 at 2:40 pm

      Can melted semi-sweet chocolate chips work instead of the melting wafers? I haven’t seen the wafers in our grocery stores.

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 15, 2020 at 10:30 pm

        Hi Joyce! That will work just fine. 🙂

        Reply
    14. Robin

      December 13, 2020 at 8:20 pm

      What are melting wafers?

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 13, 2020 at 9:07 pm

        A type of chocolate, typically sold in the baking section at grocery stores. 🙂

        Reply
    15. Maryann D

      December 12, 2020 at 10:14 pm

      Best buckeye recipe! Dough is easy to work with. Kids loved them. I am always looking for a no bake recipe……this is #1!!

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 13, 2020 at 10:41 am

        I’m so glad everyone enjoyed them so much, Maryann! 🙂

        Reply
    « Older Comments
    Newer Comments »

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    The author (Sam) in blue shirt holding donut Hi, I'm Sam! I'm dedicated to bringing you sweet, simple, and from-scratch dessert recipes. My life may or may not be controlled by my sweet tooth. Send help (or chocolate). Read more about me.

    Spring Recipes

    lemon cake on white plate

    Lemon Cake

    close-up view of a thick slice of lemon blueberry cake frosted with lemon frosting

    Lemon Blueberry Cake

    pink strawberry cake on white plate

    Strawberry Cake

    three colorful easter sugar cookies decorated like bunny peeps

    Easter Sugar Cookies

    Carrot cake slice

    The Best Carrot Cake Recipe (with Video)

    Assembled strawberry shortcake.

    Strawberry Shortcake

    Most Popular

    flaky biscuit on white cloth

    Easy Homemade Biscuits

    Pizza dough in glass bowl, after rising

    The Best Pizza Dough Recipe

    one bite missing from a slice of vanilla cake with chocolate frosting

    The Best Vanilla Cake Recipe

    stack of 5 chocolate chip cookies

    The WORST Chocolate Chip Cookies

    NEVER MISS A RECIPE!

    places sugar spun run has been featured (Women's Day, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, Country Living, the huffington post, People, Delish, MSN, TLC, Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, Buzzfeed)
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • Youtube

    Privacy Policy|Accessibility Statement

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    ABOUT

    • About Me
    • Policies, Disclosure & Privacy
    • Terms of Use

    CONTACT

    • Contact
    • Work with Me!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • Youtube

    © 2020 Sugar Spun Run. All Rights Reserved

    • 5228