My favorite thing about the holidays is all of the baking–like this easy buckeyes recipe! They are so fun for kids to help make, too!

Buckeyes Recipe
Chocolate and peanut butter Buckeyes are one of my family’s favorite Christmas cookie recipes! So easy to make with kids, and the ingredients are basic.

Best Peanut Butter Buckeyes Recipe 

I am always on the search for easy Christmas recipes for gifts! There’s just something extra special about homemade baked goods given with love during the holidays! Dress these chocolate buckeyes up in a Christmas tin, or package them in a gift basket along with hot chocolate fixings and holiday mugs, for an easy, inexpensive, and thoughtful gift.

Makes: 45-50
Prep Time: 15 min
Chill Time: 60 min

Buckeyes Recipe
Old-fashioned Buckeye candy makes for a great “last minute” recipe because they are made out of basic pantry ingredients.

Ingredients:
1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 ½ cups powdered sugar

Coating: 

1 (12oz) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons vegetable shortening or coconut oil

Buckeyes Recipe
Satisfy your peanut butter and chocolate cravings with this quick and easy Buckeyes recipe.

How to Make Peanut Butter Buckeyes

1. First, line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Buckeyes Recipe
Make sure your butter is softened, NOT melted.

2. Then, in a large bowl, beat peanut butter, butter and vanilla extract until creamy.

Buckeyes Recipe
How do you store your powdered sugar? Storing it in the fridge actually ruins it!

3. Gradually add powdered sugar until, well combined.

Buckeyes Recipe
If your dough is too wet, add a little more powdered sugar.

4. Then, shape into 1-inch balls and place on prepared baking sheet.

Buckeyes Recipe
Parchment paper is a must, and prevents sticking!

5. Freeze for 1 hour.

6. In a microwave safe bowl, add chocolate chips and shortening.

7. Then, heat for 1 minute, stir and continue heating for 10-15 seconds at a time, stirring after
each heating and stop just before all chocolate is melted.

8. Stir until completely melted.

9. Remove 3-4 balls at a time from the freezer, leaving the others in the freezer until ready
to dip.

Buckeyes Recipe
Kids love helping with this step! Just be sure to supervise them around the toothpicks.

10. Using a toothpick, dip balls into melted chocolate, covering about ¾ of the ball. Shake off excess and place on prepared baking sheet.

Buckeyes Recipe
Be careful if you use your finger to smooth the toothpick hole away, as the chocolate might still be hot.

11. With your finger tip, smooth over the hole from the toothpick.

12. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up
to 2 weeks. Or freeze for up to 3 months.

Buckeyes Recipe
You can still enjoy Buckeyes if you have gluten sensitivities or are on a vegan diet–you just have to make some simple substitutions.

Vegan and Gluten Free Buckeyes Recipes

This buckeyes recipe can be adapted for vegans, if you use vegan chocolate chips (like Enjoy Life brand). That is the only substitution needed! The original recipe is already gluten free, too! Just make sure to double check your labels to be sure there is no cross-contamination. 

Buckeyes Recipe
If you have peanut allergies, do not make this recipe with peanut butter, and check with your doctor to make sure you can safely eat sunflower seed butter, or another substitute.

Can I Eat Buckeyes With a Peanut Allergy?

The original buckeyes recipe is made with peanut butter. If you have a peanut allergy, then do not follow the original recipe.

To make peanut-free buckeyes, substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter, like Sunbutter brand (as long as you don’t have an allergy to one of the ingredients). 

Yield: 45-50

Buckeyes Recipe

Buckeyes Recipe

Nothing says the holidays like a platter of Buckeyes! The perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter...

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • Coating:
  • 1 (12oz) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening or coconut oil

Instructions

    1. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
    2. In a large bowl, beat peanut butter, butter and vanilla extract until creamy.
    3. Gradually add powdered sugar until well combined.
    4. Shape into 1 inch balls and place on prepared baking sheet.
    5. Freeze for 1 hour.
    6. In a microwave safe bowl, add chocolate chips and shortening.
    7. Heat for 1 minute, stir and continue heating for 10-15 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating and stop just before all chocolate is melted.
    8. Stir until completely melted.
    9. Remove 3-4 balls at a time from the freezer, leaving the others in the freezer until ready
      to dip.
    10. Using a toothpick, dip balls into melted chocolate, covering about ¾ of the ball. Shake off excess and place on prepared baking sheet.
    11. With your finger tip, smooth over the hole from the toothpick.
    12. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Or freeze for up to 3 months.
Buckeyes Recipe
Kids make the best helpers when it comes to making Christmas cookies! There are so many fun tasks for them to try.

Kid-Friendly Holiday Recipes

As hard as it has been over the years to find things my daughter will eat, the holidays have pretty much always been an easy time because there are so many kid-friendly holiday recipes! Here are a few of her favorites: 

What is your favorite Christmas cookie? Comment below! 



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