These scrumptious Ohio Buckeye Balls are creamy, buttery peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate. They taste like homemade Reese’s peanut butter cups. The family loves them when I make them for Christmas, but you can change the sprinkles to suit any holiday.
Indulge in the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter with this easy and mouth-watering recipe. These cookies are perfect for any occasion and are sure to be a hit. I love including them on my holiday cookie and candy treat trays, butter cookies, magic cookie bars, and spritz cookies.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- These little creamy gems are so darn delicious. I kid you not! You will have trouble resisting these goodies!
- With just six ingredients, this buckeye recipe is a cinch to make. They do require some time to freeze so that you can mold them into perfectly round balls, but that is all hands-off time.
- They make beautiful additions to holiday trays and can be made well in advance of the holiday, freeing up time for you to do other things.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Peanut butter: creamy peanut butter really is the only way to go with these smooth balls. All-natural peanut butter is too oily and coarse, so purchase the traditional kid-friendly peanut butter like Jif, Peter Pan, or Skippy.
- Butter: unsalted, please
- Chocolate chips: semisweet or dark chocolate
- Coconut oil: or shortening
How to make Buckeye Balls
First, using an electric mixer, beat peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar until it forms a fairly stiff dough. The dough should be stiff enough to roll into soft balls but not so stiff that it looks dry. If necessary, add 1-2 more tablespoons of powdered sugar. Using a small cookie scoop, roll the peanut butter mixture into balls using the palms of your hands with about 1 rounded tablespoon per ball. Now place on a parchment-covered baking sheet with a little bit of space between each ball.
Then, place them in the freezer uncovered for about 20-30 minutes. Take the balls out of the freezer and reroll them into super smooth balls, placing them back on the parchment paper. Now, place a toothpick in the center of each ball and place them back in the freezer for 10-15 minutes.
Next, add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds, stirring well between intervals. Then, using the toothpick, dip the frozen peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate, going about 2/3’s up. Immediately dust with sprinkles and place on parchment paper to set. Finally, remove the toothpick and use your finger to smooth over the toothpick hole.
Preparation Tips
- Freezing the peanut butter balls makes them much easier to work with and helps them hold their round shape.
- Line the baking sheet with parchment paper so the balls do not stick to the sheet.
- Adding a little coconut oil or shortening helps thin the chocolate and make it easier to dip. However, do not increase it too much; the chocolate might have trouble setting.
How to Store Buckeye Balls
Store the peanut butter balls in an airtight container in a single layer in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Or freeze in a sturdy freezer container for up to two months. Always defrost the balls in the refrigerator so the condensation does not affect the consistency.
More Peanut Butter Recipes
Buckeye Balls
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or shortening
- chopped nuts
- festive sprinkles
- toasted coconut
Instructions
- Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar until it forms a fairly stiff dough. The dough should be stiff enough to roll into soft balls but not so stiff that it looks dry. If necessary, add 1-2 more tablespoons of powdered sugar.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls using about 1 rounded tablespoon per ball. Place the balls onto a parchment paper or wax paper-covered baking sheet with a little bit of space between each ball.
- Chill in the freezer uncovered for about 20-30 minutes. Take the balls out of the freezer and reroll into super smooth balls placing them back on the parchment paper. Place a toothpick in the center of each ball and place them back in the freezer for 10-15 minutes.
- Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30-second intervals stirring between each interval until the chocolate melts.
- Using the toothpick, dip the frozen peanut butter balls into the chocolate going about 2/3’s of the way up. Immediately dust with chopped nuts, sprinkles, or toasted coconut. Place on parchment paper to set. Remove the toothpick and use your finger to smooth over the toothpick hole.
Notes
- Freezing the peanut butter balls makes them much easier to work with and helps them hold their nice round shape.
- Line the baking sheet with parchment paper so the balls do not stick to the sheet.
- Adding a little coconut oil or shortening helps thin the chocolate out and make it easier to dip. However, do not increase it too much; the chocolate might have trouble setting.
Nutrition
On the hunt for more delicious recipes? Follow Small Town Woman on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Maureen
Oh my gosh, these look so yummy! I haven’t heard of buckeye balls before but I can’t wait to make this. I love that they are bite size and customizable in terms of toppings. My son would douse this in sprinkles and even more sprinkles!
Gunel Ibadova
They look funny and delicious! 🙂 I think I should try this recipe asap 😀
Melissa
These are so cute – I knew had to make them when I saw your recipe! I couldn’t wait for the holidays!
jan
my friend is an avid buckeye critic and she absolutely loves these! Game changer!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Jan! So glad that she loves them!
Elizabeth A Rose
Ok I want to make them for my dad and the plus is they are already gluten free. I try every year to surprise him with a new peanut butter year but I always have to alter it because of his diabetes and he’s in his 80’s so we really watch what he eats. So, I really want to do these balls! Do you have any suggestions as to how I can get the SUGAR intake down? Do you think I could you a substitute sugar in place of the powdered? Or 1/2 of the powdered?
Beth Pierce
I think you need the full amount of the powdered sugar to get it to stay in ball form. I have never worked with this product but did you know that they sell a sugar free powdered sugar with great reviews. https://www.target.com/p/swerve-confectioners-sugar-replacement-12oz/-/A-54556124?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012732781&CPNG=PLA_Grocery%2BShopping_Local&adgroup=SC_Grocery&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=1020519&targetid=pla-509755331969&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1248099&gclid=CjwKCAiAwrf-BRA9EiwAUWwKXtexKsM54C3eRYQ-aE72US5Sd-pN4zJM15RyU65NDD8lAJ00hJ1BNxoCgoAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
soniya
Oh wow! These look and sound so delicious, can’t wait to try it
Kushigalu
Perfect holiday treat. So cute and delicious. Thanks for sharing
Lizet Bowen
I love eating buckeye balls. That peanut butter and chocolate combination is just my favorite. I haven’t tried to make it myself. Adding your recipe to try it next week.
Beth
I love everything about this recipe: creamy peanut butter, chocolate and easy! They are perfect for gifting or sitting on the couch watching a movie and eating the whole batch!
Erica
These are a favorite in our house during the holidays! Love that they are also gluten free!
Catalina
These buckeye balls look so inviting! Yummy!
Kevin
I love how few ingredients this takes! I have to make them tonight!
Sandra McCollum
These are perfect treats! I love them! Couldn’t get enough of it!
Vikki
Beautiful decorating, delicious treat!
Haley Williams
Can’t wait to make these for the holidays! They will be a great gift I know many friends will love
Toni
These are absolutely delicious! I had never made them before and all your information made it so easy.
Amanda
Perfect for this time of the year, buckeyes are my favorite!