Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls BUCKEYES Recipe

This buckeye recipe is a holiday treats tradition at my house. We can’t get enough of these chocolate covered peanut butter balls. Luckily, chocolate and peanut butter buckeyes are easy to make. I usually make a double batch so we have plenty to give away to friends and neighbors. Sometimes I even make them weeks ahead of time and freeze them (in single layers on wax paper) so when I’m finally ready to put gifts together, I can just pull them out of the freezer.

These no-bake treats are sure to be a hit wherever you take them. I like to make them with Jif Creamy Peanut Butter and milk chocolate melting wafers. You can easily substitute melted chocolate chips for the melting wafers. I just think the melting wafers are much easier to deal with for candy-making.  I make them both ways, though – and I don’t think anyone notices a difference. At least they have never said anything to me if they did notice.

Easy Buckeye Recipe (can be doubled)

Makes about 60 (1-inch) buckeyes

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 6 cups powdered sugar
• 12 ounces milk chocolate melts (can sub chocolate chips)

Directions:

1. Mix the peanut butter, butter, vanilla and powdered sugar in a large bowl (I used a stand mixer.)
2. Roll the mixture into 1 inch balls and place on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet.
3. Chill in freezer until firm but not frozen, about 20-30 minutes.
4. Melt chocolate wafers according to package directions.
5. Use a toothpick to dip peanut butter balls in chocolate about 3/4 way. You will leave 1/4 of the peanut butter showing on the top so they look like buckeyes. Use your finger to smooth over the toothpick hole.
6. Place the dipped peanut butter ball on the waxed paper lined cookie sheet and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Have you ever made buckeyes? What is your favorite holiday candy or treat?