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Made to resemble the buckeye nut, buckeye candy is a classic no-bake confection with a creamy peanut butter center and rich chocolate coating. These delicious candies are a Midwestern favorite that everyone will love!
What is Buckeye Candy?
If you're not from the Midwest, you might not have heard of buckeye candy. Let me introduce you to your new favorite treat!
Buckeye candy is a classic no-bake candy that features a creamy peanut butter center with a rich chocolate coating. When the centers are dipped in the chocolate, a bit of the peanut butter is left showing, making the candy resemble a buckeye nut.
Buckeyes are similar to chocolate-covered peanut butter balls, but a bit of the peanut butter center is always left exposed in a buckeye recipe.
Since the buckeye is the state tree of Ohio, these candies are especially popular in the Midwest. They're a favorite during the holidays and during football season, but they're easy and delicious enough to enjoy any time of year!
Why This Recipe Works
- Creamy peanut butter center: I combine just the right amount of peanut butter with butter and powdered sugar so the centers have the perfect creamy texture.
- Crisp chocolate shell: I add a bit of coconut oil when melting the chocolate chips for the coating. This helps thin out the chocolate to make it easier to dip and also hardens quickly when cooled for a crisp shell.
- Mess-free dipping: I use a toothpick to pick up each peanut butter center before dipping it in the chocolate. This is the easiest way to coat the candies without making a mess!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Creamy peanut butter: I recommend avoiding natural or homemade peanut butters for this recipe. They contain too much oil, which can make the candy centers too soft and hard to work with.
- Unsalted butter: If you only have salted butter, omit the salt in the filling.
- Salt: To balance the sweetness and complement the chocolate and peanut butter.
- Vanilla: Extract or vanilla bean paste.
- Powdered sugar: This dissolves easily into the peanut butter for the creamiest texture. If you are out of powdered sugar, you can make powdered sugar from granulated sugar.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: I recommend using a high-quality chocolate for this recipe. I prefer semi-sweet chocolate chips to better balance the sweetness of the peanut butter centers. If you use milk chocolate chips, the chocolate shell may be softer and melt faster at room temperature.
- Coconut oil: To thin out the chocolate for easier dipping. This also helps the shell harden quickly, similar to my white chocolate covered strawberries.
How to Make Buckeye Candy (Step-by-Step Photos)
This is a recipe overview. Scroll down to find the complete instructions + ingredient amounts in the recipe card below.
- Make the peanut butter filling: Using an electric mixer, combine the peanut butter, softened butter, salt, and vanilla until very smooth. Slowly add the powdered sugar, ½ cup at at time.
- Mix the filling until it is crumbly, but holds together when pressed in your palm.
- Roll the buckey centers: Portion the filling into 1-tablespoon portions. You can use a measuring spoon or a small cookie scoop for this. Roll each portion into a smooth ball and place on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
- Freeze the centers: Once all of the centers are rolled, place the pan in the freezer for 20-30 minutes or until the centers are very firm.
- Make the chocolate coating: Add the chocolate and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until the chocolate is very smooth.
- Dip the candies: Use a toothpick to pick up a peanut butter ball, then dip it in the chocolate. Make sure to leave the top part of the peanut butter ball showing. Transfer the dipped buckeye candy back to the sheet pan and repeat with the rest of the centers.
- Tip! Once the candies are dipped, you can use your finger to smooth over the hole where the toothpick was.
- Set the candies: Let the buckeye candies rest on the baking sheet until the chocolate has set. You can move them to refrigerator to speed this up. Once they are set, you can store for later or serve right away.
Storage Tips
Store buckeye candy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They are delicious right from the fridge or at room temperature.
Candies can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, but keep in mind that freezing can slightly affect the texture of the candies.
More Dessert Recipes
These buckeye candies are a classic, comforting favorite. Here are some more comforting classic desserts that I love:
Buckeye Candy
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric hand mixer
- Baking sheet
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to mix the peanut butter, butter, salt, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, ½ cup at a time, until the mixture is crumbly but stays together when pressed.
- Measure 1 tablespoon of peanut butter mixture, roll it into a smooth, tight ball, then place it on a parchment or wax paper-lined baking sheet. Repeat until all of the peanut butter filling has been used, then freeze the balls for 20-30 minutes or until they are firm.
- Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between each one, until it is smooth.
- Use a toothpick to dip the peanut butter balls into the chocolate one at a time, but make sure to leave the top of peanut butter center showing - this is what will make them resemble buckeye nuts. Place them back on the baking sheet and let them rest so the chocolate can harden. You may also put them in the refrigerator to help them set.
- Once the chocolate is set, transfer the candy to an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
Ingredients
- Salted butter can be used instead of unsalted butter, but you'll want to omit the added salt.
- I did not try this with milk chocolate chips, but they may form a softer shell that will melt faster at room temperature.
- Do not use natural or homemade peanut butter because the extra oil will make the candies too soft.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store the candies in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freezing may affect the texture of the candies, but you can store them in an airtight container and freeze them for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Assembly Tips
- I like to use vinyl gloves to roll the peanut butter balls together and for handling the candies after they are coated in chocolate.
- Make sure the peanut butter balls are nice and firm before dipping them into the warm chocolate.
- The chocolate should be very smooth before dipping. Make sure to stir the chocolate thoroughly.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer:
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
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