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If you have never been introduced to Buckeyes, this is your lucky day! Buckeyes are sweet, creamy peanut butter balls that are dipped in chocolate. They are basically the perfect candy and this is the best buckeye recipe! They come together quickly, they are no bake and fun to make! As an added bonus they are gluten free.

Chocolate covered peanut butter balls on a white plate with sprinkles

The Ohio Buckeye

If you are from Ohio, then you know that Buckeyes are named for the nut that they resemble, the Ohio Buckeye. They look a little like a chestnut. Unlike the treats pictured above, the Ohio Buckeye is not edible! But you can eat as many of these peanut butter treats as you want!

To make these treats look like a buckeye nut, the peanut butter ball is dipped in chocolate so that the top is left exposed. I use a toothpick to dip the ball into the chocolate (that leaves a hole on the top). It makes it easier to dip and swirl the ball in the chocolate so you control how much of the ball is coated.

An annual trip

I never knew what a Buckeye was until my brother moved to Cincinnati and and married an Ohio girl who introduced us to some great southern dishes, this being our favorite. My sister in law is a great cook and an excellent baker. Every Christmas she makes a collection of holiday candy and Buckeyes are always the most popular of the bunch. This Christmas being what it was, we did not get to see each other and the Buckeyes did not make their annual trip to Buffalo. So I decided to make them this past weekend and I am so glad that I did. They did not last long and my son let me know that now there is no excuse for only having Buckeyes when aunt Marybeth brings them!

So easy to make:

just a few ingredients come together really quickly to make a sweet, creamy candy treat.
Soften butter
Add confectioners sugar, vanilla and peanut butter. Mix well.
You may have to mix this with your hands until you have a stiff dough.
Measure two teaspoons of dough and roll into a ball.
Place the ball on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet.
Repeat with the remainder of the dough.
Place the cookie sheet in the freezer for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile pour the chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl.
Microwave on Hi for 30 seconds. Stir and repeat until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
Remove the cookie sheet from the freezer.
Using a toothpick, pick up the ball and dip it into the chocolate, swirling it a bit to bring the chocolate up the sides of the ball. Leave the top of the peanut butter ball exposed.
Place the chocolate covered ball on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet.
Repeat with the remainder of the dough.
Refrigerate the buckeyes until the chocolate is set.

The Best Buckeyes

Buckeyes are insanely delicious peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate. These little candy bites are so good they are almost addicting!

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Prep Time 30

Cook Time 10

Refrigeration 30

Total Time 1 10

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings pieces

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Ingredients

1½ cups Peanut butter Creamy
½ cup Butter softened
1 lb. Confectioners Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
3 cups Chocolate Chips semi-sweet or milk chocolate

Instructions

Prepare a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper.
Combine all the ingredients except the chocolate in a large bowl. Use your hands to mix the ingredients into a stiff dough.
Roll two teaspoons of dough into ball a ball and place on the cookie sheet. Repeat with the remainder of the dough.
Place the the peanut butter balls in the freezer for 30 minutes
Pour the chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl and microwave on Hi for 30 seconds. Stir and repeat until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
Prepare another cookie sheet covered with waxed paper.
Using a toothpick, pickup the peanut butter balls and and dip it in the melted chocolate and swirl it around so that the chocolate covers all but the top of the buckeye. Place on the waxed paper and repeat with the rest of the peanut butter balls.
Place the buckeyes in the refrigerator until the chocolate has set, about 30 minutes.