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.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword best recipe for buckeye balls, buckeye peanut butter balls, can you freeze buckeye balls, how to make buckeye balls

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 2

Servings servings

Calories 248kcal

Author Beth Pierce

Ingredients

1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
½ cup unsalted butter softened
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups powdered sugar
8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon coconut oil or shortening
chopped nuts
festive sprinkles
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.

Nutrition