Christmas Buckeye Recipe (2024)

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By Lynne on December 6, 2023 » 6 Comments

These chocolate-dipped peanut butter Christmas Buckeyes are a family favorite holiday treat! This easy buckeye recipe consists of sweet, creamy peanut butter balls dipped in melted chocolate. Bring a festive touch by covering them in festive sprinkles. What’s not to love?

It’s the perfect time of year for these homemade buckeyes! Whether you need a treat for a cookie exchange or for your holiday gathering, these no-bake treats are the perfect choice. They taste like homemade Reese’s peanut butter cups, but are even better in my opinion!

Welcome to 2023’s 12 Days of Cookies!
This Christmas Buckeye Recipe is Day 11 of our 12 Days of Cookies!
Be sure to check out all of the other days for more goodies!

Day 1 –Cherry Biscotti
Day 2–Sour Cream Cookies
Day 3–Chai Spritz Cookies
Day 4–Millionaire Bars
Day 5–Chocolate Chip Potato Chip Cookies
Day 6–Nana’s Oatmeal Cookies
Day 7 –No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies
Day 8 –Coffee Cake Cookies
Day 9 –Meringue Christmas Trees
Day 10 –Cookie Sticks
Day 11 –You’re on it!
Day 12 – Melted Snowman Cookies

SAVE THIS BUCKEYE CANDY RECIPE TOYOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD!

Why are these called Buckeyes?

These peanut butter buckeyes look a lot like the nut from the American Buckeye tree. This tree is the state tree of Ohio, and THE Ohio State University even named its mascot after the buckeye nuts. These sweet peanut butter balls are popular with Ohio State fans for that reason, but hey, anyone can make them (even Michigan fans!)

Why you’ll love this Buckeyes Recipe

You don’t need anything fancy to make these tasty treats!
They are quick and easy to make (though they do take some time to chill!)
These are fun to make with your kids! Get the whole family involved with making these treats!
They are perfect for peanut butter lovers!
Buckeye balls are the perfect mix of sweet and salty.

Ingredients for Christmas Buckeyes

You’ll need just a handful of simple ingredients to make these holiday buckeye balls.

16 ounces creamy peanut butter
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
6 1/2 cups powdered sugar, plus more if needed
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons coconut oil (or vegetable oil)
Holiday sprinkles and/or chopped nuts for decoration

How to make Peanut Butter Buckeyes

While this recipe is quick and easy, it does require time to chill, so plan ahead!

First, prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, softened butter, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
Next, add the powdered sugar a little at a time. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed and mix completely. Adding the confectioners’ sugar in batches helps to keep your peanut butter mixture smooth instead of dry and crumbly.
Use a medium cookie scoop to form the dough into balls. Place each buckeye ball on the prepared cookie sheet, then place a toothpick into the center of each one. Refrigerate the peanut butter balls for at least two hours or overnight. I find overnight is best.

Make the Chocolate Coating

Now, before you remove the dough from the fridge, you need to make the chocolate coating.

Combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a medium bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between. Repeat until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. You can also melt your coating in a small crockpot set to low, which keeps the chocolate warm and smooth for dipping.
Dip the chilled peanut butter balls into the chocolate coating, gently swirling them to coat, but make sure to leave about ¼ of the creamy peanut butter center exposed so that they resemble the classic buckeye nuts! Let the excess chocolate drip off or gently scrape the bottom along the side of the bowl, then return each ball to the parchment paper and let it set.
If you want to decorate with holiday sprinkles or nuts, place them in a small bowl, then roll each chocolate-covered ball in the sprinkles while the chocolate is still wet. Place it on the parchment paper to set.
Remove the toothpicks by gently twisting, and if desired, use an offset spatula or small knife to smooth the peanut butter dough over the toothpick hole.

You can serve these at room temperature or right out of the fridge! They are delicious either way, but I like them best served cold!

Buckeye Recipe Notes

You can make these with crunchy peanut butter if you prefer, but they will have a different texture. You can also use natural peanut butter as long as you stir it well to combine before using it.
It is worth it to take the extra time to sift your powdered sugar. This helps get any clumps out and keeps your peanut butter mixture nice and smooth.
You can substitute milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, or white chocolate chips for the semisweet chips I used in this recipe. But WATCH that white chocolate when melting as it can seize (harden) a lot quicker than regular chocolate does!
My favorite nuts to use for decoration are chopped peanuts, but you could also use chopped pecans or almonds.

How to store Christmas Buckeyes

Store buckeyes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Can you freeze Buckeyes?

This buckeye recipe is perfect for freezing! Make these ahead of time and keep them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. It sure makes holiday baking easier!

What if my dough is too sticky?

If your peanut butter dough is sticky, add more powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time, and stir well.

Why is my buckeye dough crumbly?

This can happen if you add the powdered sugar too quickly, as peanut butter has trouble absorbing it all at once. You also may have too much sugar, so make sure you measure carefully. Generally, the answer is to just keep mixing until the ingredients combine and smooth out.

More No-Bake Treats

Here are some more popular no-bake treats for your dessert table:

No-Bake Bourbon Ballsare a festive holiday treat that you won’t have to turn the oven on to make.
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookiesare chewy, crunchy no-bake cookies that everyone will be enjoying in just 20 minutes with just a few simple ingredients.
ThisNo-Bake Lemon Cheesecakeis one of the most popular recipes on the blog!
ThisNo Bake Pumpkin Lushrecipe will be your new go-to Fall and Thanksgiving dessert. With a gingersnap cookie crust, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin spice pudding, and Cool Whip, you’ll enjoy the delicious pumpkin flavor and layer combination in every bite.

Desserts for Peanut Butter Fans

I have so many great treats for the peanut butter lovers. Here are just a few of my favorites:

Peanut Butter Brownies– a fun twist on the classic brownie recipe.
Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies– I love peanut butter cookies, but the creamy filling takes them to a new level!
No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie– this creamy, no-bake filling in the crispy cookie crust can’t be beat!
Frosted Peanut Butter Cookie Cups– you’ll love these delightful bites topped with luscious chocolate frosting.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding Cake– chocolate and peanut butter go perfectly well together in this easy cake recipe!

Which one are you going to make first? Let me know in the comments below. Happy baking!

Created by: Lynne Feifer

Christmas Buckeyes Recipe

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 8 hours hours 45 minutes minutes

70 servings

This chocolate-dipped peanut butter Buckeye recipe is a family favorite holiday treat! These easy Christmas buckeyes consist of sweet, creamy peanut butter balls wrapped in melted chocolate.

Ingredients

▢ 1 cup butter room temperature
▢ 6 ½ cups powdered sugar
▢ 16 ounces creamy peanut butter can substitute crunchy
▢ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
▢ 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips can use milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips
▢ 2 tablespoons coconut oil

Instructions

Prepare a cookie sheet by lining it with parchment.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, peanut butter, and vanilla. Mix until well combined.
Add the powdered sugar in batches, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed, and mix completely.
Using a medium cookie scoop, roll tablespoon-size balls in your hands and place onto cookie sheet. The dough should not be sticky. if it is, mix in a bit more confectioner's sugar until it can be easily rolled. Place a toothpick into the top of each one and place the cookie sheet into the refrigerator for at least two hours, but I've found it best to refrigerate them overnight.
Before removing the dough from the refrigerator, combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a medium mixing bowl and microwave for 30 second increments, stirring between each, until chocolate is completely smooth and melted. Alternately, you can use a small crockpot set to low for melting which will also help to keep the chocolate smooth and at a constant temperature for dipping.
Dip each ball into the chocolate, swirling it to coat and leaving about a ¼ of the peanut butter exposed so that it resembles a Buckeye Nut for which these treats are named. Allow excess chocolate to drip off or gently scrape the bottom on the rim of the bowl before returning to the parchment and allowing chocolate to set.
Remove the toothpicks by gently twisting, and if desired, use an offset spatula or knife to smooth over the hole.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Can be frozen up to two months.

Nutrition

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FAQs

Why is my buckeye dough too dry? ›

To avoid a dry, crumby dough . . .

Mix together the peanut butter and butter first, and then stir in the powdered sugar one cup at a time, until you reach the right consistency. Usually about 3 cups of powdered sugar will do for approximately 1 1/2-2 cups of peanut butter.

Discover More ›

How long can you store buckeyes in the fridge? ›

Storage Tips

Make sure your buckeyes stay fresh for as long as possible! The buckeyes should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them nice and fresh. Stored in this way, they will keep for about 1 month (although good luck keeping them that long without eating them all, ha!).

Explore More ›

Are buckeye candies an Ohio thing? ›

Named for their resemblance to the poisonous nut of the Ohio buckeye tree, the state tree of Ohio, this candy is particularly popular in Ohio and neighboring states. It is common for Ohioans to make buckeyes at home, but they are also available in mail-order catalogs and candy shops.

Know More ›

How to keep buckeyes from sweating? ›

How do you keep buckeyes from sweating? It's hard to entirely prevent condensation from a chilled candy (without adding preservatives), but there are a few things you can do to help. If you freeze the peanut butter balls before dipping, be sure to keep them covered as they await dipping.

Keep Reading ›

Can you fix dough that is too dry? ›

First, try adding more liquid to the dough. This can be milk, water, or even just a little bit of extra oil. If that doesn't work, you can try kneading the dough for a few minutes to help it come together. Lastly, if all else fails, you can always add in a few tablespoons of flour to help bind the dough together.

What is Ohio's favorite Christmas candy? ›

OHIO — Ohio is consistent with its favorite Christmas candy. For the third year in a row, a survey shows chocolate Santas are Ohio's go-to.

Can you eat buckeyes from a buckeye tree? ›

Poisonous Plant: All parts of the plant (leaves, bark, fruit) are highly toxic if ingested – because of the glycoside aesculin, the saponin aescin, and possibly alkaloids. Symptoms are muscle weakness and paralysis, dilated pupils, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, paralysis, and stupor.

Read On ›

Why do people keep buckeyes? ›

During September, buckeyes, which are large, shiny brown seeds, can be found underneath Aesculus trees. According to legend, carrying a pocketful of buckeyes brings good luck. Early Native Americans called these seeds buckeyes for their resemblance to the eyes of male deer, known as bucks.

Read The Full Story ›

Can you store buckeyes in the freezer? ›

Yes! You can freeze buckeyes for up to two months.

Do buckeye nuts rot? ›

It becomes misshapen. But it won't rot. The buckeye stays with you. If you lose it, it's easy enough to find another.

Discover More Details ›

Why is my dough drying out? ›

If the storage container you proofed your dough balls in was not completely sealed, there's a good chance that air has been circulating the dough, causing it to dry out or form a skin. This is typical of long proofing times, either in the out of the fridge when the seal isn't secure.

What adds moisture to dough? ›

Start by adding 1 teaspoon of fat into dough at a time, whatever the recipe originally called for, usually butter or oil, until it's moistened. Your hands are the best tool for this job, as you can much more gently bring the dough together than a mixer, and too much mixing will make for some tough cookies.