These scrumptious Ohio Buckeye Balls are creamy buttery peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate. They taste like homemade Reese’s peanut butter cups. The family loves it when I make them for the Christmas holidays but you can change the sprinkles up to suit any holiday.
I love to include these on my holiday cookie and candy treat trays along with Butter Cookies, Magic Cookie Bars, and Spritz Cookies.
Why this recipe works!
- These little creamy gems are so darn delicious. I kid you not! You will have trouble resisting these goodies!
- With just six ingredients this buckeye recipe is a cinch to make. They do require a little bit of time to freeze so you can mold them into perfectly round balls but that is all hands-off time.
- They make beautiful additions to holiday trays and can be made well in advance of the holiday freeing up time for you to do other things.
How to make Buckeye Balls
First using an electric mixer beat peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar until it forms a fairly stiff dough. The dough should be stiff enough to roll into soft balls but not so stiff that it looks dry. If necessary add 1-2 more tablespoons of powdered sugar. Roll the peanut butter mixture into balls using the palms of your hands with about 1 rounded tablespoon per ball. Now place on a parchment-covered baking sheet with a little bit of space between each ball.
Then place in the freezer uncovered for about 20-30 minutes. Take the balls out of the freezer and reroll into super smooth balls placing them back on the parchment paper. Now place a toothpick in the center of each ball and place them back in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. Next, add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 30-second intervals stirring between each interval. Then using the toothpick dip the frozen peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate going about 2/3’s of the way up. Immediately dust with sprinkles and place on parchment paper to set. Finally, remove the toothpick and use your finger to smooth over the toothpick hole.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- Creamy peanut butter really is the only way to go with these smooth balls. All-natural peanut butter is too oily and coarse so purchase the traditional kid-friendly peanut butter like Jif, Peter Pan, or Skippy.
- Freezing the peanut butter balls really makes them much easier to work with and helps them hold their nice round shape.
- Line the baking sheet with parchment paper so the balls do not stick to the sheet.
- Adding a little bit of coconut oil or shortening helps to thin the chocolate out and make it easier for dipping. However, do not increase it too much or the chocolate might have trouble setting.
- Try dark chocolate chips for a change of flavor.
- Store the peanut butter balls in an airtight container in a single layer in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Or freeze in a sturdy freezer container for up to two months. Always defrost the balls in the refrigerator so the condensation does not affect the consistency.
How to store Buckeye Balls
Refrigerate the candy buckeyes in an airtight container in a single layer for up to 2 weeks. Or freeze in a sturdy freezer container for up to 2 months. Always defrost the balls in the refrigerator so the condensation does not affect the consistency.
More peanut butter recipes you will love!
Buckeye Balls
Delectable and fun creamy buttery peanut butter Buckeye Balls dipped in semisweet chocolate and easily decorated for any occasion. They are perfect for holiday gift-giving and cookie and candy trays.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes plus chilling time
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: dessert
- Method: mixer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup butter softened
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or shortening
- chopped nuts
- sprinkle
- toasted coconut
Instructions
- Using a stand mixer or hand mixer beat peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar until it forms a fairly stiff dough. The dough should be stiff enough to roll into soft balls but not so stiff that it looks dry. If necessary add 1-2 more tablespoons of powdered sugar.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls using about 1 rounded tablespoon per ball. Place the balls onto a parchment paper or wax paper-covered baking sheet with a little bit of space between each ball.
- Chill in the freezer uncovered for about 20-30 minutes. Take the balls out of the freezer and reroll into super smooth balls placing them back on the parchment paper. Place a toothpick in the center of each ball and place them back in the freezer for 10-15 minutes.
- Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30-second intervals stirring between each interval until the chocolate melts.
- Using the toothpick dip the frozen peanut butter balls into the chocolate going about 2/3’s of the way up. Immediately dust with chopped nuts, sprinkles, or toasted coconut. Place on parchment paper to set. Remove the toothpick and use your finger to smooth over the toothpick hole.
Notes
- Creamy peanut butter really is the only way to go with these smooth balls. All-natural peanut butter is too oily and coarse so purchase traditional kid-friendly peanut butter like Jif, Peter Pan, or Skippy.
- Freezing the peanut butter balls really makes them much easier to work with and helps them hold their nice round shape.
- Line the baking sheet with parchment paper so the balls do not stick to the sheet.
- Adding a little bit of coconut oil or shortening helps to thin the chocolate out and make it easier for dipping. However, do not increase it too much or the chocolate might have trouble setting.
- Try dark chocolate chips for a change of flavor.
- Store the peanut butter balls in an airtight container in a single layer in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Or freeze in a sturdy freezer container for up to two months. Always defrost the balls in the refrigerator so the condensation does not affect the consistency.
Keywords: how to make buckeye balls, buckeye peanut butter balls, can you freeze buckeye balls , best recipe for buckeye balls
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https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Fransic verso
These look really cool and I love the decoration on them. I haven’t tried it before and would be interesting to try them. Thank you for sharing!
Alexis
These are so incredible! My kids and I made them for a recent celebration and everyone loved them.
★★★★★
Thena Franssen
These are some of my favorite desserts! I love how fast and simple they are to make!
Ntensibe Edgar
Nnniiiccceeeee…I last tasted these, last year and I loved everything about them. Good times, those were! Thanks for sharing about them.
Clarice
Woah! These look delicious. In fact, I am craving for some right now. Happy to know that only 6 ingredients are needed. Would love to try making these. Thank you for sharing the recipe and the tips.
Ashley t
What a fun and festive treat. Definitely gonna make these with my daughter.
Romy
Thanks for sharing this festive & cute desert! I’m totally making these during the holidays
★★★★★
Blair Villanueva
This recipe looks delicious and could be a perfect treat for any occasion, especially this coming Christmas season. Packed them in a glass jar, with fancy ribbon, and viola a heart-warming gift.
★★★★★
Talya Stone
These look so tasty and easy to make. Do you think it would be possible to substitute the sugar for a powdered sugar alternative?
★★★★★
Abida
I loved these sweet buckey balls and they are lookout super delicious. My little sister also loved them. I am you to try it out on my next holiday.
Elizabeth O
The best thing about this re4cipe is that you just have to change the sprinkles and it would suit any Holiday. I cant wait to try this
★★★★★
Abida
Your this recipe was as amazing as the others. But the fun fact, today’s recipe was specially loved by my sister who loves eating this kind of creamy bucky balls. She is jonesing for eating this💚
Dani
These look amazing! I love that it’s gluten free and doesn’t require flour or crumbled biscuits like so many chocolate balls recipes. A great dessert for celiacs!
Elise Ho
I have heard of this many times before but I have never actually tried one. Now I can actually make one and give it a whirl
★★★★★
Kat
oh wow… these balls are perfect for the holidays! this is can easily make. thank you for sharing this recipe. i’ll print this later today.
Maureen
Oh my gosh, these look so yummy! I haven’t heard of buckeye balls before but I can’t wait to make this. I love that they are bite size and customizable in terms of toppings. My son would douse this in sprinkles and even more sprinkles!
Gunel Ibadova
They look funny and delicious! 🙂 I think I should try this recipe asap 😀
Melissa
These are so cute – I knew had to make them when I saw your recipe! I couldn’t wait for the holidays!
★★★★★
jan
my friend is an avid buckeye critic and she absolutely loves these! Game changer!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Jan! So glad that she loves them!
Elizabeth A Rose
Ok I want to make them for my dad and the plus is they are already gluten free. I try every year to surprise him with a new peanut butter year but I always have to alter it because of his diabetes and he’s in his 80’s so we really watch what he eats. So, I really want to do these balls! Do you have any suggestions as to how I can get the SUGAR intake down? Do you think I could you a substitute sugar in place of the powdered? Or 1/2 of the powdered?
Beth Pierce
I think you need the full amount of the powdered sugar to get it to stay in ball form. I have never worked with this product but did you know that they sell a sugar free powdered sugar with great reviews. https://www.target.com/p/swerve-confectioners-sugar-replacement-12oz/-/A-54556124?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012732781&CPNG=PLA_Grocery%2BShopping_Local&adgroup=SC_Grocery&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=1020519&targetid=pla-509755331969&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1248099&gclid=CjwKCAiAwrf-BRA9EiwAUWwKXtexKsM54C3eRYQ-aE72US5Sd-pN4zJM15RyU65NDD8lAJ00hJ1BNxoCgoAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
soniya
Oh wow! These look and sound so delicious, can’t wait to try it
Kushigalu
Perfect holiday treat. So cute and delicious. Thanks for sharing
★★★★★
Lizet Bowen
I love eating buckeye balls. That peanut butter and chocolate combination is just my favorite. I haven’t tried to make it myself. Adding your recipe to try it next week.
★★★★★
Beth
I love everything about this recipe: creamy peanut butter, chocolate and easy! They are perfect for gifting or sitting on the couch watching a movie and eating the whole batch!
★★★★★
Erica
These are a favorite in our house during the holidays! Love that they are also gluten free!
Catalina
These buckeye balls look so inviting! Yummy!
★★★★★
Kevin
I love how few ingredients this takes! I have to make them tonight!
★★★★★
Sandra McCollum
These are perfect treats! I love them! Couldn’t get enough of it!
★★★★★
Vikki
Beautiful decorating, delicious treat!
★★★★★
Haley Williams
Can’t wait to make these for the holidays! They will be a great gift I know many friends will love
★★★★★
Toni
These are absolutely delicious! I had never made them before and all your information made it so easy.
★★★★★
Amanda
Perfect for this time of the year, buckeyes are my favorite!