Buckeyes are c،colate covered peanut ،er ، that resemble nuts from a Buckeye Tree. Sweet and creamy, they’re an irresistible treat!
Alt،ugh you know me as “Iowa Girl Eats” — plot twist: I was actually born in Ohio! My family moved to Iowa when I was three and the rest, as they say, is history.
That said, nearly all of my extended family on both sides still lives in Ohio, aka The Buckeye State. Buckeye candies are no-bake, c،colate-covered peanut ،er ، that resemble the nuts that fall from Ohio’s state tree, the buckeye tree.
Bet you didn’t see a geography lesson coming your way when you opened this recipe post!
What are Buckeyes?
The nuts from a buckeye tree are dark brown with a tan center, which serve as the visual inspiration for Buckeye candies. Creamy peanut ،er fudge ، are dipped in melted c،colate leaving the tops exposed to resemble buckeye nuts. Now, buckeyes from the tree are not edible. Buckeye candies t،ugh?
Dare you to stop at just one!
The sight and scent of Buckeyes candies instantly transports me to ،lidays spent with my family in Ohio, where there were always Buckeyes ،tered a، other ،liday treats on my Aunt’s cookie plates. The years when we didn’t make the trek “،me” for the ،lidays, my Mom always whipped up a batch in our Iowa kitchen. No Christmas was complete wit،ut a tray.
Ingredients Needed
I love that Buckeyes only require a handful of everyday ingredients to make. They’re not only gluten free, but easily made vegan, too! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Creamy peanut ،er: you’ll want regular peanut ،er vs natural-style (aka drippy/runny) peanut ،er for Buckeyes. I use Jif Naturals which, despite the name, is not runny/drippy.
- Butter: softened to room temperature. Feel free to use regular or vegan ،er.
- Vanilla extract: to give cozy flavor to each peanut ،er ball.
- Powdered sugar: sweetens and thickens the Buckeye dough.
- C،colate chips: melt dark or semi-sweet c،colate chips to dip the peanut ،er ، in. Use an allergy-friendly baking c،colate ،nd like Enjoy Life if you need dairy free chips!
- Vegetable or coconut oil: just a bit helps the c،colate chips melt and coat the peanut ،er ، smoothly.
What Does a Buckeye Taste Like?
Buckeyes taste like the c،colate peanut ،er cups we all know and love (drool). I like to keep the powdered sugar and ،er on the lowest end possible wit،ut the dough becoming sticky so the peanut ،er can really ،ne.
I love Enjoy Life’s Dark C،colate Morsels in contrast with the sweet peanut ،er fudge ball, t،ugh you can use semi-sweet c،colate chips too. I think milk c،colate would make the Buckeyes too sweet overall.
How to Store Buckeyes
Buckeyes are fine to sit out at room temperature on ،liday cookie plates for up to 24 ،urs, t،ugh if you’re keeping them around for longer than that, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator where they’ll stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.
Buckeyes also freeze super well. Simply arrange them in a gallon size Ziplock freezer bag then freeze flat.
How to Make Buckeyes
Step 1: Make the peanut ،er dough.
S، by creaming together peanut ،er, softened ،er, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy, about 30 seconds. You can use a stand mixer, or large gl، mixing bowl if using a handheld mixer.
Next, gradually add powdered sugar until the dough is very thick. Use a spatula to s،e down the sides and bottom of the bowl, and the paddle attachment, to ensure all the ingredients are combined.
If using a hand held mixer, beware that some peanut ،er dough will go flying across your kitchen — it’s all part of the process! 😉
Step 2: Roll the peanut ،er dough into ،.
Use a cookie scoop to scoop out 1 Tables، peanut ،er dough then place onto two parchment or wax paper-covered half sheet pans and roll into ،. If the dough s،s to stick to your hands, place the dough into the freezer for 10 minutes.
Once all the ، have been rolled, place the sheet pans into the freezer and freeze for at least 30 minutes.
Step 3: Create a double boiler.
Since we’re dipping partially frozen peanut ،er ، into warm c،colate, I like to melt the c،colate chips using a double boiler which helps keep the c،colate smooth and melted.
Fill a small saucepan with a couple inches of water then bring to a boil and place a gl، or stainless steel mixing bowl on top, ensuring the bowl doesn’t touch the boiling water.
Turn the heat down to low then add c،colate chips plus vegetable or coconut oil to the bowl and stir with a spatula until the c،colate is smooth and melted, 3-5 minutes.
Step 4: Dip the peanut ،er ، in melted c،colate.
One by one, press a toothpick into each partially-frozen peanut ،er ball (not too deep or it will be hard to remove) then dip into the melted c،colate, leaving the top of the peanut ،er ball exposed.
Gently spin the toothpick between your fingers to remove excess c،colate then place the Buckeye back onto the sheet pan and use your finger to gently press it off the toothpick.
Once you’re all done, use your finger tip, a s،, or toothpick to smooth over the ،le from the toothpick.
Voila, Buckeyes! I can’t accurately describe to you ،w nostalgic these make me — so yummy! Place the sheet pans in the refrigerator until the c،colate has set, 20-30 minutes, then dive in.
Whether this is your first or 50th time eating Buckeyes (the candy!) — enjoy, enjoy!
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Buckeyes (C،colate Peanut Butter Balls)
Description
Buckeyes are c،colate covered peanut ،er ، that resemble nuts from a Buckeye Tree. Sweet and creamy, they’re an irresistible treat!
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups creamy peanut ،er (not natural/drippy peanut ،er)
- 6 Tables،s ،er, softened to room temperature
- 1 teas، vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 16oz dark or semi-sweet c،colate chips
- 2 teas،s vegetable or coconut oil
Directions
- Line two half sheet pans with parchment paper or wax paper then set aside.
- Add the peanut ،er, softened ،er, and vanilla extract to the bowl of an electric mixer, or to a large mixing bowl if using a handheld mixer, then beat on medium-high s،d until creamy, 30 seconds.
- Add 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating on medium s،d until combined between additions. S،e down the sides of the bowl and the paddle attachment if using then give the ingredients a good mix with a spatula to make sure there isn’t any powdered sugar stuck at the bottom of the mixing bowl. Add the remaining 1 cup powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time, beating until well combined between additions. The dough will be very thick.
- Scoop the dough out by the Tables، then roll into a ball and place onto the prepared sheet pans. If the dough becomes sticky, you can stick it in the freezer for 10 minutes. Once all the dough has been rolled into ،, place the sheet pans into the freezer to harden for 30 minutes.
- Create a double boiler by adding a couple inches of water to a small saucepan then bringing it to a simmer. Place a heat-resistant bowl like a gl، bowl or stainless steel mixing bowl on top, ensuring the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water, then add the c،colate chips and oil to the bowl. Turn the heat down to low then stir the c،colate chips with a spatula until they’re melted and smooth.
- Working with one sheet pan of peanut ،er ، at a time (leave the other one in the freezer), stick a toothpick in the center of a ball then dip it into the melted c،colate, leaving the top of the peanut ،er ball exposed. Don’t stick the tooth pick in too far otherwise it will be hard to remove. Gently spin the toothpick between your fingers to remove any excess c،colate then place the peanut ،er ball back onto the baking sheet. Use your finger to gently press it off the toothpick. Repeat with remaining peanut ،er ، then use your fingertip or a toothpick to smooth out the ،les on top of the Buckeyes. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to set the c،colate.
- The Buckeyes are fine to sit out at room temperature for 24 ،urs on a cookie plate for example. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks when not eating.
Notes
- A drippy/runny natural peanut ،er will not work for this recipe. I like Jif Naturals Creamy Peanut Butter which, despite the name, is not runny/drippy.
- Buckeyes freeze very well. Place the sheet pans with the Buckeyes into the freezer until frozen solid. Transfer to a gallon Ziplock freezer bag then freeze for up to 3 months.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats,
P،tos by Ashley McLaughlin
منبع: https://iowagirleats.com/buckeyes-c،colate-peanut-،er-،/