Buckeye Recipe {Peanut Butter Balls Recipe}

Classic Buckeye Recipe

If you’re from anywhere else in the country, you probably call this recipe peanut butter balls. But here in Central Ohio, where we bleed scarlet and gray, this is the recipe for buckeyes. No respectable Ohio State vs. Michigan bash would be complete without them, and a freezer full of these little delicacies is a holiday must.

No matter what you call them, one thing I think we can all safely agree on is that this cookie/candy is lip-smacking good! If you like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, this buckeye recipe is infinitely better — creamier, more peanut butter-y, the ideal size, and they pair perfectly with a cold glass of milk.

Tips for making buckeyes or peanut butter balls:

• If your butter isn’t room temperature, you can quickly soften it with this tip or microwave it in 10 second intervals until it’s softened.
• Work the powdered sugar in a little at a time using a wooden spoon.
• Don’t have a double boiler? Here’s how to make one.
• When dipping the buckeyes, use the edge of the double boiler bowl to wipe off some of the excess chocolate on the bottom. If you set them down on the parchment paper too quickly, it will just run off and spread.
• Buckeyes will keep for approximately two weeks refrigerated in an airtight container, or for a real treat, try freezing them.

So which do you call them — buckeyes or peanut butter balls?

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Buckeye Recipe

Yield: Approximately 60 buckeyes

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Additional Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

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Ingredients

• 2 cups creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 9 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks
• 2 tablespoons Crisco shortening

Instructions

1. Mix together peanut butter, butter, salt, and vanilla extract.
2. Work in the powdered sugar until it's completely incorporated.
3. Roll the peanut butter mixture into 1" balls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 15-20 minutes.
4. Melt the chocolate and shortening in a double boiler.
5. Using a toothpick, dip the balls one at a time in the chocolate leaving a small circle undipped to resemble a buckeye. Or you can use two forks to roll the peanut butter balls in chocolate, completely coating them.

Have you tried this recipe?

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More Easy Homemade Candy Recipes

If you like this peanut butter buckeyes recipe, you might also enjoy these other delicious homemade candy recipes:

• 4-Ingredient Crack Candy Toffee
• Peanut Butter Fudge With Marshmallow Cream
• Old Fashioned Peppermint Bark
• White Chocolate Haystacks

Love buckeye balls but want a healthier fix? Then you will ADORE these peanut butter protein balls! They’re made with just 5 ingredients and are packed with protein and healthy fats…

Did you make this recipe?
Tag @unsophisticook on Instagram and hashtag it #unsophisticook.