Peanut Butter Buckeyes
If you have ever had the opportunity to see a real Buckeye, (Google image search that term right now), the idea that someone, somewhere along the line thought, “Hey, let’s take peanut butter and dip it into chocolate and call it a buckeye.” is pretty genius.
While I don’t fall into the peanut butter & chocolate love I know people hold dear, I do like creating a dessert that disappears and makes people happy. These fit the bill. They are also super easy to make and even though you have to do it in stages, and it requires dipping in chocolate, you’ve got this.
Now, when it comes to cooking, my people are content to let me do my thing. Except, on this day, I had willing helpers. They wanted to sample, ahem, I mean, help me with this recipe.
Oh the magic of peanut butter balls. You bring out the chefs in us all.
This is the recipe from Jif peanut butter…but pretty much every recipe is the same ingredients- peanut butter, butter, confectioner’s sugar, etc.
I grew up with Jif. Every family has their own brand and respect to that. I have a friend who only uses Peter Pan. I have another who swears by Skippy.
If you are an I-only-buy-natural-peanut-butter kind of person, I have to ask, Why are you making peanut butter balls? Go make energy bites or protein balls. The real deal stuff is perfect for Ezekiel bread, but not this recipe. (I am a huge natural peanut butter fan, BTW, just not for this recipe).
You mix the dough, refrigerate, then melt some chocolate and dip. Refrigerate a second time and hide from the people who will eat them before it is time to serve.
Peanut Butter Buckeyes
The hardest part of this recipe is the actual dipping part. As in, if you use a toothpick, you have to hold onto that ball. If you use a spoon, you have to make sure it isn’t too covered or not enough covered. That’s pressure.
OK, so it isn’t world peace pressure, but I need to be honest, if I didn’t stress about them being pretty, it would have been easier. Come to find out, people don’t care if it’s pretty when it’s a buckeye. They want it to taste good.
The balls are basically the inside of a peanut butter cup consistency, with powdered sugar and butter mixing with the peanut butter to be light and fluffy. They are sweet and light and lovely.
They also potentially last a long time, should you need them to be and or hide them well. If kept refrigerated, they can last for a few weeks. I hid some in the fridge way in the back where it is super cold, and managed to make them last three weeks. Now, with chocolate being temperamental, I wouldn’t make them that far in advance to share, but for my own snacking purposes (and remember I am not drawn to these), I was pleased they still looked and tasted good.
I know the big Valentine’s Day is coming up, so if you have someone special who is a peanut butter lover, what could be more charming than a batch of confections that look like a nut? Come on, you crazies, get your Jif out and make some balls for the one you love.
I hope you enjoy this recipe, and as always, thank you for coming to the table!
Chrissy
Click below for a printable recipe!
PrintPeanut Butter Buckeyes
This recipe is the original Jif Creamy Peanut Butter Buckeye recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Jif creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup bitter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3–4 cups confectioner’s powdered sugar
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons crisco or shortening
Instructions
- Combine peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and salt in a mixing bowl.
- Beat with a mixer on low until blended. Add two cups of confectioner’s sugar until blended.
- Add additional sugar as needed until dough can be formed into balls that will maintain shape when dipped in chocolate.
- In a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and shortening together and mix.
- Insert toothpick in peanut butter ball. Dip 3/4 of the ball in chocolate mix, leaving top uncovered to resemble a buckeye.
- Place on wax-paper lined tray. Remove toothpick. Smooth over holes.
- Keep refrigerated until firm.