This Buckeye Recipe is the most delicious combination of a creamy peanut butter center and chocolate exterior. I’m even showing you how to turn this classic treat into the cutest little chocolate hedgehogs!
This no-bake treat is delightfully sweet, salty and creamy. When the peanut butter mixture is dipped in sweet melted chocolate, the result is similar to a peanut butter cup. They are as fun to make as they are to eat!
If these classic peanut butter treats are delicious, then my hedgehog version is even more so, thanks to the texture that the sprinkles add. I love these buckeye balls with or without sprinkles, and I also make them into peanut butter football truffles too!
My classic buckeye recipe uses a very simple method of melting the chocolate (paraffin free)! In fact, it’s my secret that creates the perfect chocolate exterior to balance the creamy peanut butter.
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Shopping List
- Powdered Sugar
- Creamy Peanut Butter
- Salted Butter
- Vanilla Extract
- Milk Chocolate Melting Wafers (or chocolate chips)
- Vegetable Oil
- Chocolate Sprinkles + Food Safe Marker (Optional if you’re making hedgehogs)
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Peanut Butter – Do not use natural or homemade peanut butter for this recipe, as the consistency won’t be the same. Try a crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy if you want a little more texture.
- Salted Butter – Use unsalted if you prefer.
- Vegetable Oil – Use canola oil if that’s what you have on hand.
- Vanilla – Substitute with almond extract if you prefer.
- Powdered Sugar – Learn how to make powdered sugar here.
- Chocolate Chips – Use your favorite type of chocolate – semi-sweet, dark, milk chocolate or any kind! After experimenting (and after our photos) we found that Ghirardelli melting wafers work even better than chocolate chips, as they melt perfectly and can be reheated as necessary.
How to Make Buckeyes
Cream – Beat the peanut butter, butter, and vanilla together until smooth.
Stir – Gradually stir in the powdered sugar.
Roll – Scoop and roll you batter into smooth, round balls.
Cool – Freeze your balls before dipping.
Melt – Microwave your chocolate and vegetable oil until smooth.
Dip – Use a toothpick inserted into the center of each ball to dip most of the way into the chocolate. Place on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
Cool (Again!) – Refrigerate the buckeyes until the chocolate has hardened.
Tips From My Test Kitchen
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow for easy clean up.
- If dough is a bit too sticky to roll, try adding an extra tablespoon of powdered sugar.
- You can use the gel writing icing to add the hedgehog face before or after refrigeration. To ensure you won’t have bleeding, add gel faces after refrigeration.
Storing Leftovers
Buckeyes will last up to 2 days at room temperature, stored in an airtight container. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or pop them in a freezer bag and freeze for 2-3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
The difference between chocolate peanut butter balls and buckeyes candy are that chocolate peanut butter balls are coated entirely in chocolate, while buckeyes leave the a little peanut butter showing at the top.
Buckeyes are a little different from traditional chocolate and peanut butter balls, which are completely covered in chocolate. They resemble the nut of the Ohio buckeye tree, which the state tree of Ohio, hence the name.
Use a toothpick to stick into the peanut butter, hold onto the end of the toothpick and dip them into the chocolate – works like a charm!
I prefer to use one of the mainstream brands for this buckeyes recipe because they contain the necessary natural oils to keep the peanut butter from separating.
Absolutely! This chocolate-covered treat is all about your preference. If you prefer a less sweet treat, using dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet will help you achieve that goal.
Yes, you can! You can add nuts, or mini M&M’s are another fun option.
For Decorating as Hedgehogs (optional)
In a large mixing bowl, beat peanut butter, butter and vanilla until well combined.
1 cup creamy peanut butter, 6 tablespoons salted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Gradually add powdered sugar, ½ cup at a time until combined.
2½ cups powdered sugar
Scoop and roll into round balls and place onto a parchment lined cookie sheet.
Freeze 30 minutes.
While the peanut butter balls are in the freezer, microwave chocolate and vegetable oil in a small bowl in the microwave. Use 30-second increments and stir until smooth.
8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
Take the sheet pan of peanut butter balls from the freezer. Holding a toothpick, spear the ball of peanut butter and gently dip each one into bowl of melted chocolate. Return to sheet pan to dry.
Optional: dip in sprinkles and place on the cookie sheet.
½ cup chocolate sprinkles
Refrigerate 30 minutes or until chocolate has hardened for serving. Serve at room temperature.
To Turn into Hedgehogs
Optional: dip in chocolate sprinkles before chocolate fully sets, and place on the cookie sheet.
Use chocolate writing gel icing to add eyes and a nose to each buckeye.
Black writing gel icing
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow for easy cleanup.
- If the dough is too sticky to roll, add an extra tablespoon of powdered sugar.
- We found that Ghirardelli melting wafers work even better than chocolate chips, as they melt perfectly and can be reheated as necessary.
- Rolling them in sprinkles can add a seasonal touch or help them coordinate with an event (like our hedgehogs). Try red and green sprinkles for Christmas or pastel nonpareils for Easter.
- Hedgehogs – You can use the gel writing icing to add the faces before or after refrigeration. We added them after refrigeration to prevent any bleeding color.
Serving: 1Buckeye | Calories: 195kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 70mg | Potassium: 116mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 92IU | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
More Peanut Butter
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2024-12-26 14:00:00
