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.
2 ½cupsconfectioners’ sugarpowdered sugar scooped and then sifted
6tablespoonsunsalted buttermelted but not hot
1teaspoonsvanilla extract
½teaspoonssalt
8ozdark chocolatebittersweet 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.