These scrumptious Buckeye Balls are creamy buttery peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate.
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 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 these balls are 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 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 powdered sugar. Roll the dough into balls using 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 back on the parchment paper. Now place a toothpick in the center of each ball and place back in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. Next add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 second intervals stirring between each interval until the chocolate is melted. Then using the toothpick dip the frozen peanut butter balls into the 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 reallys 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.
- Refrigerate the peanut butter balls in airtight container in a single layer 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 peanut butter balls in airtight container in a single later 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!
- Peanut Butter Pie
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe
- Thai Peanut Chicken Quesadillas
On the hunt for more delicious recipes? Follow Small Town Woman on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
PrintBuckeye 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 1x
- 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 semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or shortening
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 powdered sugar.
- Roll the dough into balls using about 1 rounded tablespoon per ball. Place on a parchment covered baking sheet with a little bit of space between each ball.
- Place in the freezer uncovered for about 20-30 minutes. Take the balls out of the freezer and reroll into super smooth balls placing back on the parchment paper. Place a toothpick in the center of each ball and place 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 is melted.
- Using the toothpick dip the frozen peanut butter balls into the chocolate going about 2/3’s of the way up. Immediately dust with sprinkles and 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 the traditional kid friendly peanut butter like Jif, Peter Pan or Skippy.
- Freezing the peanut butter balls reallys makes them much easier to work with and helps them hold their nice round shape.
- Line our 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 it might have trouble setting.
- Refrigerate the peanut butter balls in airtight container in a single later 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
https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
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!