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Home » Recipes » Christmas Cookies and Treats

Homemade Buckeyes Recipe

Published: Nov 5, 2022 · Modified: Apr 1, 2025 by Debra Clark · 17 Comments

Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe

Melt in your mouth creamy peanut butter dipped in chocolate and chilled. What can be better than that?!! If you're a fan of peanut butter cups, just wait until you try this recipe for Homemade Buckeyes!

Next time try White Chocolate Dipped Oreos or the Peanut Butter Snowballs. Easy to make and delicious!

Buckeye candy in a red holiday box.
Peanut Butter Buckeyes
Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • FAQ's
  • Tips
  • Variations
  • 🍽️ Storage
  • Related Recipes
  • Homemade Buckeyes Recipe

Why you'll love this recipe

Because they are creamy, dreamy, chocolatey and delicious! Tastes fancy but these little treats only take minutes to make!

✔️ like the Christmas Hugs, these are a great no bake treat!

✔️ easy to make.

✔️ think peanut butter fudge dipped in chocolate! YUM!

Ingredients

Photo showing ingredients for this recipe with print overlay.
Ingredients for buckeye candies.

For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

  • chocolate melts or chocolate chips - I used semisweet chocolate chips because that's what we had on hand. Dark chocolate or milk chocolate would also be yummy!
  • powdered sugar
  • unsalted butter
  • pure vanilla extract
  • coconut oil, corn or vegetable oil
  • creamy peanut butter - though you can use chunky, the creamy makes the homemade buckeyes literally melt in your mouth!
  • salt - this helps balance the sweetness of the candy.

Instructions

Step by step instructions showing how to make recipe, with print overlay.
Instructions for chocolate peanut butter balls

This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!

  1. In a large bowl cream together the butter, peanut butter, salt and vanilla with an electric mixer.
  2. Add the powdered sugar in batches.
  3. Cream everything together until it's smooth.
  4. Scoop the batter into balls.
  5. Refrigerate.
  6. Next melt the chocolate chips mixed with coconut oil in the microwave stirring, every 30 seconds until smooth. (Of course you can use a double boiler, but I think the microwave is easier.)
  7. Insert toothpick into the top of each ball, dip all of the buckeye balls in chocolate.
  8. Allow excess chocolate to drip off.
  9. Refrigerate the homemade buckeyes so the chocolate can harden. Serve and enjoy!
Homemade Buckeyes on a white plate.
Buckeye Candy Recipe

FAQ's

Do they need to be refrigerated?

As long as you use shelf stable nut butter, once the chocolate has hardened, they don't have to be refrigerated. Personally I prefer them chilled, but room temperature works too!

What's the best peanut butter to use?

I prefer salted, creamy peanut butter. If all you have is chunky, you can still make this, they just won't be as silky smooth.

Why are they called buckeyes?

No, they aren't named after the football team, but actually named after a nut normally found in Ohio and the surrounding states.

Tips

  • Coconut oil helps thin the chocolate so it's easier to melt and dip the buckeyes. If you don't have coconut oil, you can substitute canola oil or corn oil.
  • Be sure and scrape down the sides of the bowl when you're mixing the ingredients to ensure everything is evenly incorporated.

Variations

The homemade buckeye recipe below is a classic combination, but you can easily mix this up and instead of coating with melted chocolate, use;

  • chopped nuts
  • candy sprinkles
  • powdered sugar
  • cocoa powder
  • cane sugar

Any of these would be beautiful and delicious!

I prefer the creamy peanut butter balls, but if you prefer, you can use crunchy peanut butter.

🍽️ Storage

Refrigerate - these will last up to a month! (Well... not in my house 😋, but you get the picture!) Store in an airtight container.

Freeze - up to three months - enjoy!

Homemade peanut butter buckeyes in festive tin.
You're going to love this easy candy recipe!

Related Recipes

  • Haystacks Recipe - These super yummy butterscotch old fashioned haystacks are a super yummy no-bake treat!
  • Another simple treat is this recipe for Chocolate Covered Cashews - so rich and ddeleiciouss these freeze great and are great for your cookie exchange!
  • Another sweet treat are Strawberry Sandwich Cookies - Use a holiday cookie cutter for Christmas, a heart would be perfect for Valentine's Day. These are easy to make and gorgeous!
  • Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats are a must make for your Cookie Trays - so cute!
  • Check out this amazing recipe for Toffee Truffles, that literally has me drooling! And the Christmas Rum Balls are so pretty and festive!

There's just something nostalgic and irresistible about homemade Buckeyes-the creamy peanut butter, the rich chocolate shell... it's a match made in candy heaven. Whether you're making them for the holidays, gifting them, or just treating yourself, they always bring smiles!

If you whip up a batch, let me know how they turn out! Leave a comment below, share a photo, or tag me so I can see your peanut buttery creations. And while you're here, be sure to check out more of my favorite homemade chocolate treats!

Homemade Buckeye Candy in pretty red container for gifting.
5 from 14 votes

Homemade Buckeyes Recipe

You're going to love this simple buckeye recipe! This simple homemade treat is easy to make and the no-bake peanut butter ball tastes even better than reese's peanut butter cups!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
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Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time2 minutes mins
refrigerate30 minutes mins
Total Time47 minutes mins
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Servings: 25 servings
Calories: 177kcal
Author: Deb Clark

Equipment

  • Ice Cream Scoop

Ingredients

  • ¾ cups creamy peanut butter
  • ½ cup butter softened
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • FOR THE CHOCOLATE COATING
  • 2 cups dark chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil

Instructions

  • Using an electric mixer or stand mixer, mix together the butter, peanut butter, salt and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
  • Add the powdered sugar in a couple batches.
  • Cream the peanut butter mixture together until it's smooth.
  • Using a small cookie scoop, scoop the batter, roll into 1-inch balls and place a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper.
  • Refrigerate for 10 minutes, roll into smooth balls. Pop into the freezer for 20 minutes or refrigerate overnight.
  • FOR THE CHOCOLATE COATING
  • Add the coconut oil to the chocolate chips. Melt in the microwave at 30 second intervals, stopping to stir every 30 seconds. Continue until the chocolate is completely smooth.
  • Insert toothpick into the top of the chilled peanut butter balls. Then dip it in the chocolate coating.
  • Allow excess chocolate to drizzle off and place it on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Refrigerate the homemade buckeyes so chocolate can harden. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Variations - instead of dipping in melted chocolate consider rolling the peanut butter balls in:
  • chopped nuts
  • candy sprinkles
  • powdered sugar
  • cocoa powder
  • cane sugar
Optional - Smooth out the hole on top of the buckeye made by the toothpick after dipping. 

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 177kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 108mg | Potassium: 118mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 95IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg

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    About Debra Clark

    Hey I'm Deb Clark, and I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over! We live in the sleepy little town of Scappoose, Oregon. And I admit it... I love food! Join me in this foodie journey (even if you've never cooked before!) I will help you learn to be confident in the kitchen! Want to learn more? Let's stay connected, you can email me at debra@bowl-me-over.com and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

    Comments

      5 from 14 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Nicole J says

      December 10, 2020 at 7:49 pm

      5 stars
      These are SO CUTE and I haven't made them in so long! Sounds like it is time to remedy that!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        December 15, 2020 at 3:01 pm

        Most definitely Nicole, enjoy!

        Reply
    2. Amy Nash says

      December 10, 2020 at 8:02 am

      5 stars
      I've been meaning to make these for so long! I'm glad you shared this recipe because they are so easy and SOOOOO tasty!

      Reply
    3. Erin says

      December 07, 2020 at 6:47 pm

      5 stars
      Buckeyes are my FAVORITE, but I've always let other people make 'em. Until now.

      Yum! Seriously! I've eyeballed this recipe of Jennifer's for a long while now and am going to make it this season, so thank you!

      Reply
    4. JENNIFER STEWART says

      December 07, 2020 at 2:10 pm

      5 stars
      I am so glad you chose this recipe! This is definitely one of my family's favorites, especially Brooks and Connor because they love all things PB and chocolate. And even though we love bourbon in ours, it is really easy to use vanilla if people aren't fans of that. or the kids are eating them LOL. Happy holidays to you guys!

      Reply
    5. Kathleen Pope says

      December 06, 2020 at 8:31 pm

      5 stars
      Jennifer is the best, especially at bite sized treats! Buckeyes remind me of my Grandma, we used to make them together, thanks for a sweet memory, I really need to make these soon!

      Reply
    6. Debi says

      December 06, 2020 at 10:49 am

      5 stars
      These are always a yummy treat, I mean, how can you go wrong with peanut butter and chocolate!

      Reply
    7. Julie Menghini says

      December 06, 2020 at 10:41 am

      5 stars
      I'm loving this recipe. We've always made peanut butter balls but these buckeyes show off that yummy filling! I'm changing my ways.

      Reply
    8. Angela says

      December 05, 2020 at 6:07 am

      5 stars
      Its so crazy, I've never had a buckeye! We are big peanut butter fans here so these definitely won't last! I cant wait to make them.

      Reply
    9. Sheila @ Life, Love, and Good Food says

      December 04, 2020 at 11:23 am

      5 stars
      Buckeyes are my absolute favorite Christmas candy/cookie! Yours look like perfection!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        December 04, 2020 at 12:28 pm

        Thanks Sheila, enjoy! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

        Reply
    10. Mary Jones says

      December 04, 2020 at 11:08 am

      This is my “kids” favorite Christmas cookie. I’ve been making these for over 30 years!! These are absolutely the yummiest and so easy to make.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        December 04, 2020 at 12:28 pm

        Yay! I'm so glad to hear it's a favorite! Happy Holidays Mary!!!

        Reply
    11. Michaela Kenkel says

      December 04, 2020 at 8:57 am

      5 stars
      This is one of Jennifer's recipes I have ALWAYS wanted to make! They look amazing - and I bet there was no need to worry about how long they would last in the fridge! 😉 Perfect for a holiday cookie exchange!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        December 04, 2020 at 9:48 am

        They are amazing and a MUST try! What a treat and I'm so excited to share this recipe with my readers. Thanks Michaela!

        Reply
    12. Heather says

      December 04, 2020 at 5:36 am

      Would you believe that I have never made buckeyes? I am actually not sure I have ever even had them which is stupid because I LOVE chocolate and peanut better. Jennifer's website is LOADED with good things - can't wait to try these!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        December 04, 2020 at 9:48 am

        Oh my goodness, then you definitely need to get this a try Heather - this recipe is amazing! Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply
    Blogger Deb Clark smiling at camera holding a plate filled with a casserole.
    Welcome to Bowl Me Over!

    Hey I'm Deb Clark! I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over. We live in a sleepy little town just north of Portland in the beautiful Pacific Northwest... (read more)

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