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    Easy Homemade Buckeyes

    Dec 21, 2020 · Leave a Comment

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    Buckeyes are a staple of every Ohio fall! Three-ingredient peanut butter balls dipped into melted chocolate are so easy to make, and even better to eat. Since they store really well, they're perfect to keep on hand for last-minute snack boards or cookie trays during the holidays.

    dipping homemade buckeyes

    There are a lot of great things about being from Ohio, but one of the very best is all of the BUCKEYES.

    From the first kickoff of college football, straight through New Year's, you can find these peanut butter balls at just about every potluck, snack spread, and on every holiday cookie tray in the state.

    They are so fun and easy to make, and even better to eat!

    bite out of a buckeye candy

    HOW TO MAKE BUCKEYES

    Buckeyes are so simple to make! The steps are:

    1. Make peanut butter mixture (it's 3 ingredients!)
    2. Roll mixture into little balls
    3. Melt chocolate
    4. Dip balls into chocolate

    Since the whole process is slightly labor intensive and time consuming (especially since this recipe will make about 60 buckeyes), it's a great thing to do with friends or kids. Speaking as a former kid who has dipped and rolled a LOT of buckeyes, it's a fun way to be involved in the kitchen. Like cookie decorating, but less supplies.

    tray of homemade buckeyes

    THE PEANUT BUTTER

    Don't use natural peanut butter for buckeyes! Between the oiliness and the separation, it will really mess with the consistency of the peanut butter balls.

    You want a classic, highly-processed creamy peanut butter for these.

    tray of peanut butter balls for buckeyes

    THE CHOCOLATE

    • Semisweet is the classic, but you can use milk or dark if you want to branch out.
    • I find chocolate chips the easiest to use, but you can also use the same amount of bar chocolate.
    • The shortening is added to give the chocolate extra shine and help it hold its shape. Since I always have it on hand, and it works really well for this purpose, it's what I always use here. If you don't want to use shortening, coconut oil or paraffin wax are good substitutes.
    • If you're having people help dip, you may want to divide the melted chocolate into smaller cups so everyone has their own.
    dipping buckeye into cup of melted chocolate

    STORAGE TIPS

    • Buckeyes are best cold. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
    • You can stash these in a cold garage if fridge space is limited around the holidays. Grab some whenever needed for cookie trays, etc.
    • Rolled peanut butter balls can be frozen for up to 3 months. I recommend freezing prior to dipping, as the thawing can cause the chocolate to peel away slightly.

    CLOSING THE HOLES

    Personal preference, but in my opinion, an essential step!

    Homemade buckeyes have holes in them from the toothpick used for dipping. These should be closed. It takes two minutes, and is a sign of an excellent buckeye.

    closing the holes in homemade buckeyes
    dipping homemade buckeyes
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    5 from 2 votes

    Easy Homemade Buckeyes

    Buckeyes are a staple of every Ohio fall! So easy to make, and even better to eat. Since they store really well, they're great to keep on hand for last-minute snack boards or cookie trays during the holidays.
    Makes about 60 buckeyes.
    Prep Time1 hr
    Chill Time2 hrs
    Total Time3 hrs
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 25
    Author: Mandy Jackson

    Ingredients

    • 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter see note
    • 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
    • 6 cups confectioner's sugar
    • 1 (12 ounce) bag semisweet chocolate chips
    • 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening

    Directions

    • In a large bowl, cream together the peanut butter and the softened butter until fluffy. Gradually add in the confectioner's sugar, combining well after each addition. Turn mixture out onto a clean surface and gently knead until smooth. Form into tablespoon-size balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
      Place the choclate chips in a medium bowl and microwave in 30-second increments until mostly melted, stirring often. Add the shortening and stir vigorously until the remaining chocolate chips are melted and the shortening is incorporated.
      Insert a toothpick into the top of a buckeye and dip most of the way into the melted chocolate. Return to baking sheet and remove toothpick. Repeat until all peanut butter balls have been dipped, reheating chocolate as needed. Chill completely. Use fingers to close the holes from the toothpick.
      Buckeyes can be kept in the fridge for up to two weeks.

    Notes

    Peanut butter: Don't use natural peanut butter for these. It will alter the consistency. 
    Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
    Freezing: Rolled peanut butter balls can be frozen for up to 3 months. I recommend freezing prior to dipping, as the thawing can cause the chocolate to peel away slightly.
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @itsmandyjackson on instagram so I can admire + share it!
    peanut butter ball being dipped into chocolate

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    Mandy Jackson

    hi, i'm mandy.

    A regular Midwest homebody. Here, I share recipes we love, and how we're thoughtfully renovating our 100-year-old American foursquare.

    Learn more about me.

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