Whether you’re from Ohio or not, you will love making and eating these holiday favorites!
Buckeyes are a holiday tradition in many parts of the American Midwest, but nowhere more so than in Ohio. These sweetened peanut butter balls dipped in semi-sweet chocolate are common gifts to neighbors, family, and friends; they also pop up on many dessert tables at holiday parties. Since I have relatives from Ohio, I grew up eating and making these goodies every Christmas. The irresistible chocolate-peanut butter combo is just part of their charm!
While Ohio’s state tree is, in fact, the buckeye tree, and one of its universities (known as The Ohio State University) has an adorable buckeye mascot named Brutus, you should actually avoid eating real buckeyes found in nature. They are poisonous! So these candy versions, which look just like the real thing, are definitely a safer bet.
You will love making and enjoying these traditional holiday treats. You only need a few ingredients, there is no baking, and of course, sampling while you make them is a must! Buckeyes are a great item to invite a few family members or friends over for an evening of candy making. Get an assembly line set up and enjoy the process! Little kids can help too; keep scrolling for a special task they can help with. Buckeyes are fun to make and even more fun to eat any time of year.
Tips for picture-perfect buckeyes
In addition to the chill time mentioned in Step 3, there are a couple of other easy tricks to getting your buckeyes to look as good as they taste. First, when dipping in the melted chocolate mixture, gently tilt the peanut butter ball from side to side to get as much coverage as you can. Secondly, once the dipped buckeyes have sat for a bit, remove the toothpicks and gently cover over the toothpick hole in each one. You can either use a toothpick or a wooden popsicle stick. The latter is a great option if you want to get kiddos in the kitchen to help. They can be the final quality control checkers and use a popsicle stick to smooth out the tops.
How do I store leftovers?
Buckeyes keep very well in the refrigerator, as long as you have them in an airtight container. For best results, store them in a single layer. If you need to stack them, place parchment or wax paper in between the layers. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. They can be eaten chilled or at room temperature. You can also freeze them. Carefully packed into a resealable freezer bag, they will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Serving suggestions
Buckeyes are most popular during the winter holiday season. Since they store well, you can make them ahead of the busiest weeks and pull them out to serve with other goodies. They pair well with traditional favorites like Frosted Sugar Cookies, Mexican Wedding Cookies, and Chocolate Macaroons. For a party, they also look adorable displayed with a variety of cake pops and other round treats. Buckeyes are versatile in that they go with many different goodies; they’re also delicious just on their own.
Buckeye Recipe
Ingredients Â
- 2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
InstructionsÂ
- Beat together the peanut butter, unsalted butter, salt, and vanilla extract until the mix is smooth.
- Gradually stir in the powdered sugar until you get a stiff dough. Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into smooth balls.
- Place the balls on a wax paper-lined tray and chill in the freezer for about 15 minutes. This makes them easier to dip.
- While the balls chill, melt the semisweet chocolate chips with the coconut oil in the microwave using 25-second bursts, stirring between each burst until smooth.
- Insert a toothpick into each ball and dip it into the melted chocolate so that a small patch of peanut butter still shows. Set the dipped balls on a clean tray and let the chocolate harden. Remove toothpicks and serve.
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