These fudgy peanut butter truffles are dipped in rich semisweet chocolate to resemble buckeye nuts. Peanut butter lovers, you’ll want to save this recipe!
What Are Buckeyes?
Buckeyes are peanut butter truffle balls with a chocolate coating. The top of the truffles is left exposed to resemble their name-sake — buckeye nuts. They have a rich peanut butter taste and a melt-in-your-mouth texture on the inside, with a crisp snap from the chocolate on the outside. Are they cookies? Candies? Truffles? It’s debatable which category of sweets buckeyes belong to, but they are an irresistible treat nonetheless.
Buckeyes were created by a woman named Gail Tabor in the 1960s. After dipping a batch of peanut butter balls in chocolate, she realized they resembled the buckeye nuts native to her home state, Ohio. Gail shared her invention with fellow football fans at games, and the rest is history!
Love no-bake treats? Save time with no-bake desserts, try our peppermint bark or Christmas cake pops too!
How To Make Buckeyes
These yummy treats take only 15 minutes of prep time — perfect for those with a busy schedule. Mix up the dough, melt the chocolate, and let’s get dipping!
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, beat together the peanut butter, butter, and vanilla extract with a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar while beating. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed using a rubber spatula and mix until well combined.
- Roll the dough into balls: Roll the mixture into one-inch balls and place them on a lined baking sheet. Chill the dough balls in the freezer for 30 minutes.
- Melt the chocolate: Pour 1-2 inches of water into a small pot and bring it to a simmer on the stove. Place a bowl over the pot (making sure it doesn’t touch the water), pour the chocolate chips into the bowl, and stir frequently until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
- Dip the truffles: Use a skewer or toothpick to dip the chilled peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate, keeping the top part of the truffles exposed. Repeat with the remaining peanut butter balls and chocolate. Use the back of a spoon or a finger to gently smooth over the toothpick hole.
- Chill the truffles: Chill the buckeyes in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or until they are completely set. Enjoy!
Hot tip: For a glossier, thinner chocolate dip, add a tablespoon of coconut oil to the chocolate when melting it.
Choosing the Right Chocolate
Are you tossed up between different chocolate varieties to use for your buckeyes? Rest assured — buckeyes are absolutely scrumptious with any of these three chocolate options.
- Dark chocolate: Dark chocolate is characteristically bitter and intensely rich. This is the ideal choice for those who prefer less-sweet desserts.
- Semisweet chocolate: Semisweet chocolate is balanced and smooth. It’s not overly bitter or sweet, and it has a strong chocolatey flavor.
- Milk chocolate: Milk chocolate is sweet and milky — perfect for kids or anyone with a sweet tooth.
Melting the Chocolate
Melting chocolate seems fairly straightforward, but there may be an occasional pitfall. Let’s look at two different melting techniques to avoid burnt or split chocolate.
- Double boiler: This is the most foolproof way to melt chocolate. Set up your own double boiler by placing a wide bowl over a small saucepan of simmering water (make sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water). Place the chopped chocolate or chocolate chips in the bowl and stir frequently until the chocolate is evenly melted.
- Microwave: Place the chopped chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it in 20 second increments, stirring each time, until it is completely melted. Microwaves are especially powerful, so take care not to overheat the chocolate.
Tips For the Best Buckeyes
Are you ready to level up your buckeye game? Follow these tips for perfectly smooth, mouthwatering peanut butter and chocolate truffles.
- Use a no-stir creamy peanut butter. Popular brands with stabilizers, like Jif or Skippy, are best for this recipe. Natural peanut butters contain more oil and may produce greasy, crumbly truffles.
- Portion out the dough with a tablespoon or cookie scoop. A small cookie scoop like this one is a great tool for ensuring even portions.
- Chill the dough. Cold truffle balls hold together better, making them easier to dip in chocolate. The chocolate also sets quicker on the cold truffles.
- Pour the melted chocolate into a glass. An eight-ounce tall glass facilitates the dipping process, as it creates a deeper pool of chocolate to coat the truffles in.
Storage
Just like buckeye nuts, these truffles should be chilled for optimal freshness. They become soft and difficult to eat at warmer temperatures, so store them in the fridge or freezer.
- Refrigerator: To store for up to two weeks, transfer the buckeyes to an airtight container and refrigerate.
- Freezer: To store for up to two months, place the buckeyes in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze. Thaw the cookies overnight in the fridge before enjoying.
More Peanut Butter Recipes
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies — Moist peanut butter cookies loaded with rolled oats and chocolate chips
- Best Peanut Butter Cookies — Chewy brown sugar cookies with an amazing peanut butter flavor
- Date Snickers — Juicy dates stuffed with peanut butter, chopped peanuts, and chocolate
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 16 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat together the peanut butter, butter and vanilla extract with a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add the powdered sugar gradually while beating.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed and mix until well combined. The dough will be soft and smooth like playdough.
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper. Chill the dough balls in the freezer for 30 minutes.
- Melt the chocolate in a doubler boiler or in bowl set over a pot with one to two inches of simmering water. Stir frequently until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Use a skewer or toothpick to dip the chilled peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate, keeping the top part exposed and allowing the excess chocolate to drip off. Repeat with the remaining peanut butter balls and chocolate. Use the back of a spoon or a finger to gently smooth over the toothpick hole. Chill the buckeyes in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or until they are completely set. Enjoy!
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