The classic buckeye candy is a beloved chocolate and peanut butter confection. Our step-by-step recipe will help you create these delicious confections with confidence.
The candy's name comes from its striking resemblance to the nut of the buckeye tree. The origins of buckeye candy can be traced back to Ohio, where the state tree is the buckeye tree. The tree produces nuts that are shiny and dark brown with a light tan patch, resembling the eye of a buck deer. This resemblance inspired the creation of a sweet treat that pays homage to this unique nut.
The classic buckeye candy is made with just a handful of ingredients. It features a smooth and creamy peanut butter center, which is shaped into small balls and partially dipped in rich, velvety chocolate. The result is a candy reminiscent of the buckeye tree's nuts, with a distinctive eye-catching appearance.
Over the years, buckeye candy has become a cherished tradition, especially during the holiday season and at special gatherings. It has evolved into a popular homemade treat. Today, the buckeye candy continues to hold a special place in the hearts of many, not only in Ohio, but across the country. Whether enjoyed as a festive treat or a token of warmth and hospitality, the buckeye candy remains a testament to the enduring legacy of a beloved regional tradition.
While peanut butter buckeyes are impressive to look at and even better to eat, you’ll see how easy they are to make with our step-by-step recipe. Follow the recipe for the specifics, so your classic buckeyes will turn out perfect, but here are the basics.
Mix the peanut butter, butter, and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and beat until powdered sugar is no longer visible and mixture is well blended.
Form the filling into 1-inch balls by pinching off small pieces of dough with your fingers or portioning out with a small cookie scoop and rolling between the palms of your hands. Stick a toothpick into each ball and freeze about 30 minutes until firm.
Melt chocolate chips with vegetable shortening in the microwave on HIGH for 60 to 90 seconds and stir until smooth. (Check out our article for additional tips and methods for melting chocolate chips.) Dip the balls into the mixture, leaving a small portion of the peanut butter filling showing at the top. Chill on sheet pan for at least 15 minutes before serving.
After preparing our classic peanut butter buckeyes recipe, it's important to store them properly to maintain freshness and quality. They can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container by placing the candies in a single layer, separating each layer with waxed paper to prevent them from sticking together. Store in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks. When you’re ready to serve your classic buckeyes, place on a serving plate, and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. You can also freeze peanut butter buckeyes in a single layer in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Allow to thaw at room temperature before serving.
Now that you’ve made your first batch of our classic buckeyes and mastered the art of candy making, you might be interested in expanding your chocolate horizons with a few of our other candy recipes.
Chocolate Truffles are a great choice if you want to stick with the dipped chocolate treat theme. We can’t recommend this recipe enough. With a creamy chocolate filling, you can decorate these beauties with drizzled white chocolate, chopped nuts, sprinkles, or whatever looks good to you.
Chex Mix® White Chocolate Bark is a sweet treat you pull together quickly and nibble on to your hearts content.
Buckeye Fudge is another east way to get your peanut butter chocolate buckeye fix. Peanut butter chips, peanut butter, sweetened condensed milk, and peanuts are blended together and pressed into a 9-inch baking pan to make a peanut butter fudge layer. Rich chocolate ganache is then poured over the top. Delicious!
If you like a little salty with your sweet treats, consider sprinkling a little flaky salt over the top of each buckeye.
Some microwaves have hot spots that can burn some of the chocolate during the melting process if not stirred.
| Food Component / Nutrient | Amount | % , Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | 6g | 9% |
| Saturated Fat | 2&½g | 12% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | % Value Not Available |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2&½g | % Value Not Available |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | ½g | % Value Not Available |
| Omega-3 | 0g | % Value Not Available |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 35mg | 1% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 11g | 4% |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g | 0% |
| Soluble Fiber | 0g | % Value Not Available |
| Insoluble Fiber | 0g | % Value Not Available |
| Sugars | 10g | % Value Not Available |
| Protein | 1g | % Value Not Available |
| Vitamin D | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Calcium | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Iron | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Potassium | 50mg | 1% |
| Vitamin A | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Vitamin C | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Vitamin E | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Thiamin | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Riboflavin | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Niacin | Value Not Available | 4% |
| Vitamin B6 | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Folic Acid | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Vitamin B12 | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Pantothenic Acid | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Phosphorus | Value Not Available | 2% |
| Magnesium | Value Not Available | 4% |
| Zinc | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Manganese | Value Not Available | 6% |
| Selenium | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Copper | Value Not Available | 2% |
| Beta-Carotene | Value Not Available | % Value Not Available |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | ||
