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+ servings
A plate of chocolate peanut butter balls.

Buckeye Candy Balls

5 from 2 votes
Created by Mariam Ezzeddine
Buckeye candy balls are an easy Christmas candy you can make in advance. Bite-sized chocolate peanut butter balls are perfect for gift-giving and serving at a party.
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24 pieces
pieces

Ingredients

  • 1 cup smooth peanut butter
  • 2 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar powdered sugar scooped and then sifted
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted but not hot
  • 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoons salt
  • 8 oz dark chocolate bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Instructions

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine confectioners’ sugar, peanut butter, melted (cooled) butter, salt and vanilla. Beat until it has a thick, dough-like consistency and holds its shape when rolled into a ball.
  • Using a small cookie scoop, measure about one tablespoon of the dough. Roll it into a ball and place it onto the tray with parchment paper. Repeat this process until all the dough is used.
  • Refrigerate for 20 minutes or until firm to the touch.
  • Melt the chocolate using a microwave oven or double bath until it is warm and smooth but not hot.
  • Use a toothpick or a wooden skewer to pick up the peanut butter and dip it into the melted chocolate. Leave a small circle of the peanut butter visible on top to make them look like Buckeyes.
  • Shake off any excess chocolate and place the balls onto the parchment paper. Use a spatula or your finger to smooth the hole left by a toothpick.
  • Refrigerate balls for the chocolate to set. Serve well chilled.

Notes

  • Sift the powdered sugar before adding it to the peanut butter. 
  • If the dough is too soft, add 1-2 tablespoons of powdered sugar and mix until it can stay in a ball shape.
  • Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent the buckeye candy balls from sticking. 
  • Use a small cookie scoop to make uniform-sized candy balls. 
  • Refrigerating or freezing the peanut butter for a short time before dipping it in chocolate is important to help the candy keep its shape. 
  • We don’t recommend using sugar-free peanut butter for this recipe as it doesn’t hold its shape as well. 
  • Make sure the chocolate is melted but not hot. 
  • Leave a bit of peanut butter exposed when dipping in the chocolate, so they look like Buckeye nuts. 
  • Use a spatula or your finger to smooth over the hole left by the toothpick. 
  • Let the chocolate set completely before moving it to a storage container, or the candy balls will stick together.

Nutrition

Calories: 195kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 97mg | Potassium: 130mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 91IU | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg
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