Buckeyes (Peanut Butter Chocolate Candy). Honey nut peanut butter balls dipped in semi-sweet chocolate. A delicious candy for any time of the year!
High School Friends
My freshman year of high school there was a new girl named Emily. I didn’t like her. She befriended a girl I didn’t particularly care for, so by association, I didn’t like her. But then one day Emily and I showed up to freshman English class wearing the same thing. We had a conversation stating the obvious, that we were wearing the same thing, and through that quick conversation, somehow realized that we clicked.
It’s now been almost TWENTY YEARS since that date. That’s in all caps because that’s insane. Over those 20 years we went to college together, were roommates for several years, stood beside each other in our weddings, threw each other baby showers, talked for probably thousands of hours, and shared MANY recipes. See the Emily’s Baked Ziti recipe for a prime example of a good one.
Recipes
Emily and I learned to cook together. In high school and college, we were constantly in the kitchen creating. One of our favorite things was to make our moms’ recipes. Emily’s mom had some good ones. Her mama is from Ohio, so obviously she had a good recipe for buckeyes. I still remember the first day I ate one …. it was a whole lot more than one because they were just so tasty.
Peanut Butter Variety
Over the years I have made buckeyes about 1904813049813 times. They’re a staple for my Christmas goodie bags. My mom has a buckeye recipe as well, so I have spent years experimenting with my Emily’s and my mom’s recipes. Each year it has changed here and there to become my own, dream peanut butter chocolate candy.
I have made these buckeyes with both smooth and chunky peanut butter. My personal preference is to use smooth – this year I decided to use my favorite peanut butter: Peter Pan Honey Roast Creamy. I firmly believe this little tweak put these candies over the top!
Buckeyes
Many buckeye recipes, including the ones I used in high school, call for melting wax in with the chocolate. The wax makes the candy dip well, but I don’t love the resulting taste. I have found that shortening gives a similar dipping consistency as wax, but without the aftertaste.
These buckeyes are delicious! They’re easy to make, the recipe makes a ton, and they’re great for taking to parties or giving as gifts!
Buckeyes
Ingredients
- 2 cups honey roast peanut butter
- 1 cup salted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 16 ounces powdered sugar
- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
- 2 tbsp shortening
Instructions
- Add peanut butter and butter to a medium sized sauce pan over medium heat. Once melted, remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and powdered sugar until well combined.
- Form peanut butter into tablespoon sized balls. Place on baking sheet and place sheet in freezer for at least 20 minutes.
- Place parchment or wax paper on a surface near stove.
- In a double boiler over medium-high heat, melt chocolate and shortening. Stir until smooth.
- Use toothpick to dip peanut butter balls in chocolate. Transfer dipped balls to parchment paper to dry. Let sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour before moving.
Disclaimer: All nutritional information provided on this website is an estimate only and is not guaranteed.
If you enjoyed these Buckeyes, you’ll probably enjoy these other SugarSpicesLife recipes:
Oreo Peppermint Bark
Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
Peanut Butter Chocolate Mousse Cake
Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies With Nutella Filling Recipe
Items used to make this recipe:
I love buckeyes! I will have to look for honey roasted peanut butter.
Yeah! Makes them so, so good!