The Best Buckeyes (Peanut Butter Balls!)
Raise your hand if you grew up loving these chocolate peanut butter balls! ♡
These nostalgic treats are always such a crowd favorite, but I’ve found that the traditional version can lean a bit too sweet for my taste. So over the years, I’ve started mixing a little cream cheese into the peanut butter filling and have found that its subtle tang balances the salty peanut butter and sweet chocolate perfectly. Each bite is rich, creamy, and totally irresistible!
Best of all, buckeyes are easy to make (no oven required), easy to store (a great treat to have ready the fridge for busy holiday seasons), and of course, easy to love (who can argue with chocolate and peanut butter?) — let’s make some!
Buckeyes Tips
Here are a few helpful tips to make sure your buckeyes turn out perfectly smooth, creamy, and irresistible every time:
- Use conventional peanut butter. Skip natural-style peanut butter here — the oils can separate and make the filling too soft or greasy. Traditional creamy peanut butter works best.
- Soften everything first. Make sure the butter and cream cheese are fully softened so the filling mixes smoothly without lumps.
- Add powdered sugar gradually. Start with 3½ cups and only add more if needed. You’re looking for a dough that’s firm but still easy to roll.
- Use a cookie scoop. I like to use a 1½-tablespoon cookie scoop to make the scooping part go faster!
- Chill before dipping. Don’t rush the chilling step. Cold peanut butter balls hold their shape much better when dipped in warm chocolate.
- Use coconut oil for glossy chocolate. A little coconut oil helps the chocolate melt smoothly and gives it that pretty, snappy finish once set.
- Toothpick trick. A toothpick makes dipping easy, then you can gently use your finger to smooth over the hole afterwards if you’d like.
Recipe Variations
Here are a few fun ways to customize this buckeyes recipe if you’d like:
- Add flaky salt. These are fabulous with a pinch of flaky sea salt on top.
- Add espresso powder. Add 1/2 teaspoon to the chocolate for extra depth of flavor.
- Use crunchy peanut butter. Opt for crunchy if you’d like extra texture.
- Use almond butter or cashew butter. These work just as well!
- Add sprinkles or crushed peanuts. Either of these are great toppings.
FAQ
Yes. Because the filling contains cream cheese, they should be stored in the refrigerator.
They’ll keep for up to 2 weeks in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer when stored in an airtight container.
This usually means the butter or cream cheese was too warm, or not enough powdered sugar was added. Chill the dough or mix in a bit more sugar.
This can happen if the peanut butter centers are extremely cold when dipped. Let them sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before dipping to reduce temperature shock.
More No-Bake Recipes To Try!
Buckeyes
- Prep Time: 45 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 mins
- Yield: About 48–50 buckeyes 1x
Description
This no-bake buckeyes recipe is easy to make with a creamy peanut butter filling and a rich chocolate coating — perfect for holidays, parties, and gifting.
Ingredients
Filling:
- 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter (not natural-style)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
Coating:
- 8 ounces semisweet or dark chocolate, finely chopped (or chocolate chips)
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
Instructions
- Mix the filling. In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), beat together the peanut butter, butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and salt on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
- Add the powdered sugar. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until the mixture forms a thick, pliable dough that’s easy to roll. You may not need the full 4 cups.
- Shape into balls. Roll the dough into 1-inch (1½-tablespoon) balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until firm.
- Melt the chocolate. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate and coconut oil. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted and smooth.
- Dip the buckeyes. Insert a toothpick into each peanut butter ball and dip about ¾ of the way into the melted chocolate, leaving the top exposed to resemble a buckeye. Let excess chocolate drip off.
- Chill to set. Return dipped buckeyes to the baking sheet and refrigerate for about 30 minutes, or until the chocolate is firm. Gently smooth over the toothpick holes, if desired.
- Serve or store. Enjoy right away, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
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