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Peanut Butter Buckeye Candy ~ creamy, sweet peanut butter dough balls are partially dipped in chocolate to mimic the fruit of the Ohio Buckeye tree.
It’s believed the tree nuts were named buckeyes because they resemble the shape and color of a deer’s eye. Whatever the reason, all I can say is these have been a personal favorite since I was a young buckeye! (Since I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio.)
Just guessing here, but there must be 70-hundred-million-zillion recipe variations for this super simple holiday treat! Which one is the best? Well mine of course! Just saying 🙂 Whenever I go to holiday parties, office gatherings, or family throw-downs, if there are Buckeyes on the dessert table I try at least one, or two, or maybe three.  Recipe research is essential and sometimes you just have to do a few extra miles on the treadmill and try them all. Yes, I am dedicated to my craft!
With just a few pantry ingredients, it’s amazing how each Buckeye Candy recipe can be so completely different.
I adore the perfect balance of sweetness, creaminess and flavor and LOVE the snap of the cold chocolate when biting into a Buckeye. Â Some recipes add coconut oil to the chocolate used for dipping, and while it makes the chocolate silky smooth and creamy, it’s not as crisp and substantial, which is how I prefer the coating.
I lost my old go-to recipe years ago in a tragic and heartbreaking recycling accident and have been looking for the best Buckeye Candy recipe ever since. While developing this recipe, I made numerous batches testing with less sugar, more peanut butter, and more, or less unsalted butter. Â The final perfected recipe posted here features a simple secret ingredient that made all the difference in the texture of the peanut butter dough balls. Â I added a few crushed saltine crackers to the dough to add just a touch of salt, and to keep them a little drier, and less greasy. Peanut butter and butter can be a greasy mess if not balanced with the right about of powdered sugar and in this recipe, saltine crackers.
These peanut butter balls have a perfect texture.
They hold their shape, freeze beautifully and taste amazing! Nobody can tell I added saltine crackers to the dough; you really can’t taste them at all. The combination of peanut butter and chocolate is hard to resist, at least it is for me. Who doesn’t love peanut butter and chocolate?!
Our Buckeye Candy can be refrigerated for up to a week, or frozen for up to 1 month. They’re the perfect easy make-ahead treat!
We love these straight from the freezer; they’re soft and easy to eat while frozen, and last longer on the dessert table. Â One word of warning, they’re a bit addictive and that makes it’s hard to stay out of the freezer until you’re ready to serve! Â I wouldn’t try to ship these as they need to stay cold.
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Ingredients
- 4 saltine crackers, finely crushed - no chunks
- 1 ½ cups peanut butter (I used Jiff - do not use natural PB)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 to 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the crushed crackers, peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar and vanilla. Blend on medium until combined. The mixture may appear dry, but keep beating until it forms a soft, but cohesive, dough.
- Using a small cookie scoop, roll dough into 1 ¼-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheet. Freeze until the dough balls are firm, about 1 hour.
- Microwave 1 cup of the semisweet chocolate chips in a bowl on 50% power, stirring halfway through, until melted, about 1 ½ to 2 minutes.
- Using a toothpick, dip chilled balls into the melted chocolate, leaving the top third of the balls uncovered. Return the Buckeyes to the lined baking sheet and refrigerate until the chocolate is set, about 1 hour.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Here are a few more peanut butter and chocolate desserts you might enjoy:
- Peanut Butter Blossoms – from Saving Room for Dessert
- No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars – from The View from Great Island
- Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Billionaire Bars – from Baking a Moment
- Easy No Bake Peanut Butter Balls – from RecipeGirl
Melissa King- Banks says
I have cocoa powder and limited means. How can I use that instead, as substitution bc of expense morsels
Tricia Buice says
Hi Melissa. I don’t know of any way to make a cocoa powder coating for these peanut butter balls. You may look into candy melts which may be cheaper than chocolate. We truly hope you enjoy these candies and hope you have a wonderful holiday season.
Betty says
Wonderful idea to use saltines! These look really yummy- they would disappear much too quickly at my house. 🙂
Chris Scheuer says
Saltines, how interesting! I love sweet and salty so I already have a pretty good idea that these would be a huge hit! Thanks for all the testing, now I don’t have to!
Pam says
Hi my fellow Buckeye! I was born in Columbus and grew up on a farm in Pickerington. I’ve made Buckeye Candy many times, but this is the first time I’ve seen saltines in the recipe. Sounds good, Tricia! Many years ago, my dad gave me a handful of buckeyes and I carry one in my purse to this day, for good luck. You’re right… The eye of the deer, hetuck, Indian word, means eye of the buck, was the way I learned it. So many variations of the candy and I have to try your version. Thanks!
Susan says
I’ve never seen a Buckeye tree so I had to Google so I could see the real seed pods 🙂 They almost look like Chestnuts. What a simple and delicious treat and one that everyone in the family would love, Tricia! My husband LOVES peanut butter 🙂
Tricia Buice says
They do look like chestnuts Susan – and I hope you’ll make these for your husband – he’ll love them! Merry Christmas to you and yours 🙂
Karly says
One of my all time favorites from when I was a kid! I’m always trying to find just the right recipe for them- and I have a feeling this might be the one! Can’t wait to try!
Tricia Buice says
Yeah Karly! I hope you’ll try them – so delicious, great texture and not too sweet. LOVE them! Have a very Merry Christmas 🙂
Gerlinde says
I have never seen anything like it, they look absolutely delicious .
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Gerlinde – if you love a peanut butter / chocolate dessert, these are a must try!
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
Looks like all that research paid off! Love these delectable beauties!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Abbe – making another batch of these today for my son-in-law. Everybody loves them 🙂
Paul Jerabek says
Wonderful Post !!!!!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Paul!
Monique says
I have never made them..something to look forward to! Thanks!
Tricia Buice says
If you love peanut butter and chocolate, these are a must make 🙂 I bet your grand boys would love them!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
Beautiful and of course, delicious! Great idea to add Saltines 🙂 Will be trying these!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Jennifer!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
This has got to be my favorite combination and the ultimate dessert. I love the Saltines trick, and I bet Ritz Crackers, which I always have around, would work, too? Pinning and sharing these treats!
Tricia Buice says
I bet they would Sue, but may taste a bit different. Saltines have such a subtle flavor, but I would be willing to bet Ritz would be great too!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
So simple, yet so awesome and festive! What else can I use instead of saltine? What about seed crackers?
Tricia Buice says
Hi Angie – anything that crumbles to a fine powder would probably work. It would not be the end of the world if you left them out all-together, but I really love the extra-something it gives the texture. Thanks!