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This Buckeye recipe makes smooth, chocolate-dipped peanut butter balls that are easy to prep and always a hit on holiday cookie trays or dessert platters.
What Is a Buckeye?
A Buckeye is a round candy made from a creamy peanut butter and cream cheese mixture, partially dipped in chocolate to resemble the nut of the Ohio buckeye tree. This no-bake treat is especially popular during the holidays in the Midwest and is known for its rich, sweet flavor and distinctive appearance.
Don’t have time to dip individual candy balls? Then try making my Buckeye brownies instead! You get the same classic flavor combination, just assembled in layers and served as a slice.
Ingredients for Buckeyes Recipe
Here’s what you’ll need to make this creamy and rich Buckeye recipe:
- Creamy peanut butter – Use smooth, salted peanut butter for best results. If using natural peanut butter, stir well before measuring and expect a softer dough.
- Cream cheese, softened – Adds tang and a cheesecake-like creaminess. You can substitute salted butter, just omit the added salt.
- Vanilla extract – Enhances the flavor of the peanut butter base.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness and brings out the peanut butter flavor.
- Powdered sugar – Sweetens and firms up the dough to make it rollable.
- Dark chocolate chips – Can be swapped with semi sweet, milk chocolate, or an allergy friendly brand like Enjoy Life.
- Vegetable oil – Helps melt and thin the chocolate for easier dipping. You can substitute coconut oil or shortening.
- Optional Add-Ins:
- Add crushed graham crackers to firm up the dough, or top the dipped candies with flaky salt, chopped nuts, or sprinkles before the chocolate sets.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Buckeyes
Follow these simple steps to make creamy peanut butter and chocolate Buckeyes with a cheesecake twist:
- Mix the filling: Beat together peanut butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and salt until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix until you form a soft dough.
- Shape the balls: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Insert a toothpick into each ball and freeze for 20 minutes.
- Melt the chocolate: In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips with vegetable oil in 20-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth.
- Dip the Buckeyes: Working in batches, dip each chilled ball into the melted chocolate, leaving a small circle of peanut butter exposed. Let excess chocolate drip off before placing them back on the parchment.
- Finish and set: Remove the toothpicks and smooth over the holes using a toothpick, spatula, or finger. Freeze the Buckeyes again until firm.
- Serve: Serve chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Use smooth peanut butter. Natural peanut butter needs stirring and can make the dough softer.
- Chill the dough before shaping. This makes rolling and dipping easier and helps the Buckeyes hold their shape.
- Scrape down the mixing bowl after adding powdered sugar to ensure the dough mixes evenly.
- Stir the chocolate between microwave intervals to prevent scorching and ensure smooth melting.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
- To store: Place Buckeyes in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator. They stay fresh for up to 2 weeks and can be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature.
- To freeze: Arrange Buckeyes in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then transfer them to a freezer safe container. Store for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
More Easy Candy Recipes to Try
- The Best Copycat Candy
- 3 Musketeers Candy (Cool Whip Candy)
- Butter Mints Recipe (4 ingredients!)
- Homemade Milky Way
If you’ve tried this Buckeyes Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it turned out in the comments below.

Buckeyes Candy Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 4 ounce (½ 8-ounce package) cream cheese softened
- ½ tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1½ cups dark chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Use a stand or hand mixer to blend together the peanut butter, cream cheese, vanilla and salt in a medium sized mixing bowl until fully combined and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.½ cup creamy peanut butter, 4 ounce (½ 8-ounce package) cream cheese, ½ tsp vanilla, ½ tsp salt
- Gradually beat in the powdered sugar, using a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. You should have a light, tan, soft dough.2 cups powdered sugar
- Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Form 1 inch balls out of the dough and place them on the cookie sheet. The dough will be slightly soft but it should hold its shape once formed.
- Place a toothpick in the top of each ball and place them in the freezer for 20 minutes.
- When you are ready to coat the Buckeyes, prepare a second baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
- Melt the chocolate chips and oil together in a shallow bowl in the microwave. Microwave in 20 second increments, stirring between each cooking time, until completely melted. It should take 1-2 minutes to melt all of the chips.1½ cups dark chocolate chips, 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- Remove about 6 Buckeyes from the freezer and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Dip them, one by one, in the melted chocolate, using the toothpick.
- Give them a little swirl in the chocolate to cover all but a small circle of the filling, allow the excess to drip off and then place them back on the baking sheet.
- Remove another 6 Buckeyes from the freezer and repeat steps 8 and 9. Continue until all Buckeyes have been dipped in chocolate.
- Remove the toothpicks from the tops of the Buckeyes and smooth over the hole using a toothpick, an offset spatula or your finger.
- Return the Buckeyes to the freezer until set, up to 1 hour, and then place in a covered container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Buckeyes can be served straight from the refrigerator or at room temperature.
Jenn’s Notes
- To Store: These Buckeyes keep best when they are chilled. If stored in an airtight container they will last in the refrigerator for 2 weeks.
- To Freeze: You can keep these Buckeyes in the freezer for up to 2 months and simply place them in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
- It is important to scrape the bowl down after adding the powdered sugar, otherwise the top will be super firm but the bottom of the bowl will be super soft.
- Vegetable oil or coconut oil helps thin the chocolate so it’s easier to dip your Buckeyes, but you can use shortening if that’s what you have on hand.
- For best results use a smooth, salted peanut butter for your Buckeyes. If you’re using a natural peanut butter without stabilizers make sure to mix it really well after opening the jar. The oil heavy top of the jar will make very runny Buckeyes.
I’m so happy I found this recipe! Years ago I made this for my family! I haven’t found the recipe since!!! I’m so happy I found you! You have amazing recipes! I’m going too try to get back into baking!
Thank you so much!
Allyson Foster
Love the recipes
Easy to make and oh so yummy!