Peanut Butter Buckeyes Recipe
User Reviews
4.4
Peanut Butter Buckeyes Recipe
Description
The Peanut Butter Buckeyes recipe involves blending creamy peanut butter with softened unsalted butter, vanilla, and a pinch of salt, then folding in powdered sugar until it forms a moldable dough. The mixture is rolled into 1-inch balls and chilled until firm. Meanwhile, semisweet chocolate chips and vegetable shortening are melted together over low heat to create a smooth coating. Each chilled peanut butter ball is dipped into the chocolate, leaving a small exposed circle at the top, reminiscent of the buckeye nut. They are then refrigerated until set. The addition of shortening thins the chocolate to a more manageable consistency for dipping, helping the coating harden with a smooth finish.
These treats combine the creamy, sweet, and slightly salty peanut butter center with a semi-sweet chocolate shell, offering a contrast in texture and flavor reminiscent of a traditional midwestern candy. The recipe also allows substitutions for chocolate type and provides alternative dipping options.
Notes include advice to use conventional peanut butter brands due to oil content, suggestions for chocolate types, and instructions for freezing the buckeyes up to three months. The recipe is meant for making a batch suitable for parties or gifting, with tips on ingredient variations and freezing to maintain freshness.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups peanut butter creamy
- 1 cup butter at room temperature, unsalted
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch salt
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup vegetable shortening
Instructions
- Line cookie sheet with wax or parchment paper; set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together the peanut butter, softened butter, vanilla extract, and salt with a wooden spoon. Add the powdered sugar a little bit at a time, stirring it into the peanut butter mixture until it is completely incorporated.
- Roll the peanut butter mixture into 1-inch balls. Set them on the prepared cookie sheet and insert a toothpick into the top of each ball. Chill in freezer until hard, approximately 30 minutes.
- In a heatproof medium bowl, combine the chocolate chips and shortening. Place the bowl over a small saucepan with 1 inch of water placed over low heat. Stir occasionally, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Keep the bowl over the saucepan of barely simmering water. Using the toothpick as a "handle", dip the peanut butter balls into the chocolate, leaving a small circle exposed on the top of each ball. Place the balls back on the cookie sheet and refrigerate until the chocolate is set, approximately 2 hours.
- Once the buckeyes are set, remove the toothpicks and if you'd like, you can use your finger to smudge the peanut butter dough together on the top of the buckeye to cover the hole where the toothpicks were. Store the buckeyes in an airtight container with wax paper between layers in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Notes
- Use traditional creamy peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) instead of natural to maintain proper texture.
- Salted butter can replace unsalted butter if desired; omit added salt then.
- Chocolate chips may be swapped for finely chopped bar chocolate or candy melts, adjusting melting instructions accordingly.
- Vegetable shortening thins the chocolate for easier dipping, but refined coconut oil can be substituted to avoid coconut flavor.
- Buckeyes can be frozen up to 3 months in airtight containers or freezer bags.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 84buckeyes
Amount Per Serving
Calories 123 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 123kcal | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 11g | 4% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 6mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 22mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 79mg | 2% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 70IU | 1% |
| Calcium | 8mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.6mg | 3% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.4
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