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Buckeyes are a Midwestern holiday favorite! These peanut butter balls are partially dipped in chocolate to resemble the famous Ohio nut. 

Seven buckeyes on a gray plate, set next to a glass of espresso on a piece of parchment paper.

I grew up and still live in Ohio. We have a couple of foods that are really popular around here but aren’t as well known outside of our area of the Midwest.

Clothespin cookies are a must at Christmas and weddings here. Jo jo potato wedges are something I grew up eating. And of course, we can’t forget the most Ohio of all Ohio foods: buckeyes!

I’m not sure I’ve ever been to a Christmas party or big OSU football watch party around here that didn’t have these peanut butter and chocolate candies. If you’ve never had a buckeye, keep reading because you’re gonna want to try these!

Close up of buckeye candies scattered on a piece of parchment paper.
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What are Buckeyes?

If you’re from the Midwest, you probably already know all about buckeyes. If you aren’t or if you don’t have any family from the Ohio area, you probably have no idea what buckeye candies.

Buckeyes are a type of chocolate-covered peanut butter balls. In this case though, they are only partially dipped in semi-sweet chocolate, leaving part of the peanut butter center showing so that they resemble the nut of the buckeye tree.

The buckeye tree is the state tree of Ohio and Brutus the Buckeye is the mascot of The Ohio State University, so buckeyes are a big deal around here! 

Something important to note is that you cannot actually eat buckeye nuts, although it’s said that carrying one with you brings good luck.

Buckeye candy is really popular here during Christmas and college football season, but these candies are so good that you really could make them any time of year!  

Ingredients for buckeyes arranged on a beige countertop.

How to Make Buckeyes

If you have made my old-fashioned peanut butter balls, then you are halfway to making buckeyes! 

Don’t be intimidated by making these; they’re one of the easiest candies to make.

Ingredients you’ll need

The ingredient list for this recipe is pretty simple. Odds are good that you have most of what you will need on hand already.

Filling dough for buckeyes in a white ceramic mixing bowl.

This recipe uses:

  • Unsalted butter: Butter is combined with peanut butter to form the base of these candies. Make sure you use softened butter for these.
  • Creamy peanut butter: You will want to use creamy peanut butter to make your buckeyes. Use a traditional peanut butter or no-stir natural peanut butter; don’t use the peanut butter that is just ground peanuts. It does not work well in recipes like this.
  • Vanilla extract: Vanilla helps round out the flavor of the peanut butter centers. You can use your favorite brand of vanilla or use homemade vanilla extract.
  • Powdered sugar: Powdered sugar helps hold the peanut butter centers together and sweetens them without making the candy grainy. 
  • Kosher salt: As always, a bit of salt helps to balance out the sweetness of this recipe.
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips: I like to use semi-sweet chocolate chips to coat my buckeyes. You do need to use a regular chocolate – not white chocolate – for these to be true buckeyes.
  • Shortening: A bit of shortening gives the melted chocolate a smoother consistency, so the coating will be more even on the final candies.
Peanut butter centers for buckeyes lined up on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Making buckeye candy

To make these candies, start by beating the softened butter, peanut butter, and vanilla together with a mixer until well combined.

Gradually add the powdered sugar and salt and mix on low speed until combined. Once combined, increase the speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes.

Divide this mixture into 1-tablespoon portions and roll them into balls. If the balls aren’t perfectly smooth, don’t worry – we’ll fix it later.

Set the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate them for 1 hour.

Hand using a toothpick to dip a buckeye in melted chocolate.

If you need to smooth the outsides of the peanut butter balls, quickly roll them in your palms now that they have chilled. Place the baking sheet with the balls into the freezer for at least 1 hour.

When you’re ready to dip the buckeyes, microwave the chocolate chips and shortening together in a bowl for 1 minute. Stir, then continue microwaving in 15-second intervals, stirring after each one until the chocolate is melted and smooth.

Dipped buckeyes set on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

To dip the buckeye candies, insert a toothpick into each peanut butter ball and dip it into the chocolate. Make sure to leave a circle of the peanut butter center visible at the top of each candy.

Use the edge of the bowl to remove any excess chocolate from the bottom of each candy and place them back on the lined baking sheet to set.

If you like, you can use your finger to smooth over the hole where the toothpick was inserted in each candy.

Refrigerate the dipped buckeyes until the chocolate is set.

Buckeye candies piled onto a pottery plate. A cup of espresso and more buckeyes are visible in the background.

Storage Tips

Store buckeyes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

You can also store them in the freezer for up to a month. They will thaw pretty quickly, so you don’t need to worry about pulling them out of the freezer too far in advance of serving them.

Several buckeyes arranged on a piece of parchment paper. A bite has been taken out of one of the candies.

More Chocolate and Peanut Butter Treats

If these buckeyes are making you crave more chocolate and peanut butter treats this holiday season, I’ve got you covered! Try some of these recipes to add some of that classic flavor combination to your holiday table: 

Plated peanut butter pretzel bars with corn syrup and a bowl of pretzels in the background

Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars

Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars are an easy no-bake treat to whip up this holiday season! These bars are the perfect balance of salty and sweet. Top them with seasonal sprinkles for a festive touch!
View Recipe
Peanut butter cup cookies scattered on a piece of parchment paper over a wire rack.

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Kids and adults alike will love these classic Peanut Butter Cup Cookies. Miniature Reese’s cups are nestled into peanut butter cookie cups for an easy cookie that will be a hit at holiday cookie exchanges.
View Recipe
Peanut butter blossoms arranged on a piece of parchment paper, with christmas lights twinkling in the background

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Peanut Butter Blossoms – sometimes known as Hershey Kiss Cookies or Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies – are the perfect classic holiday cookie to make with kids or bring to a cookie exchange.
View Recipe

Easy Holiday Reindeer Chow

Reindeer chow is classic puppy chow with a dose of Christmas cheer with festive chocolate candies and crunchy pretzel bites. Make a batch of these easy treat for your holiday party!
View Recipe

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

Chocolate peanut butter pie is creamy and full of peanut butter and chocolate flavor. If you love peanut butter cups, you’ll love this easy no bake pie recipe.
View Recipe

Chocolate Peanut Butter Old-Fashioned Cocktail

Satisfy your sweet tooth with a Chocolate Peanut Butter Old-Fashioned! Made with peanut butter-flavored whiskey, this cocktail also incorporates chocolate and tastes like a spirit-forward peanut butter cup.
View Recipe

Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Crinkle Cookies

Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Crinkle Cookies are sweet, salty, and chocolatey. These crunchy treats are sure to satisfy any peanut butter fan.
View Recipe
Several buckeye candies scattered on a piece of parchment paper.
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Buckeyes

By: Jamie
4.67 from 3 ratings
Prep: 30 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total: 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 36 buckeye candies
Buckeyes have a peanut butter center that is partially dipped in chocolate to resemble the famous Ohio nut. These candies are popular during the holidays or around college football season.

Ingredients

For the filling:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 2 cups creamy peanut butter
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 4 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

For the chocolate coating:

  • 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon shortening

Instructions 

  • Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed, combine butter, peanut butter and vanilla and mix until thoroughly combined.
  • Turn the mixer down to low speed and gradually add in the powdered sugar and salt and mix until combined.
  • Turn mixer up to medium and beat for about 2 minutes.
  • Use a small cookie scoop (about 1 tablespoon) to measure the dough. Roll each scoop into a small ball and place onto prepared baking sheet. The balls may not be perfectly smooth – this is ok.
  • Refrigerate dough balls for one hour.
  • Roll the chilled balls quickly in your palms to smooth the outsides. Place the tray into the freezer for at least 1 hour.
  • Place the chocolate chips and the shortening in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute; stir. Continue microwaving in 15-second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
  • To dip the buckeyes, use a toothpick to pick up each peanut butter ball and dip it into the chocolate, leaving a circle of the peanut butter visible at the top. Use the edge of the bowl to remove excess chocolate from the bottoms and place back on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
  • Refrigerate the dipped buckeyes until the chocolate is set.

Video

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to a month.
Helpful resources:

Nutrition

Serving: 1buckeye, Calories: 219kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 7mg, Sodium: 79mg, Potassium: 136mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 18g, Vitamin A: 84IU, Calcium: 14mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

4.67 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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