Peanut Butter Buckeyes Recipe: Step-by-Step

Peanut Butter Buckeyes Recipe: Step-by-Step

from thekitchenismyplayground.com

With their creamy, sweetened peanut butter centers peeking through a chocolate-dipped bottom, Peanut Butter Buckeyes are hard to resist. ~ These delicious little bites are just loaded with that classic chocolate and peanut butter combination we love so much! Follow these simple steps to whip up a tasty batch at Christmas time, or anytime that chocolate-peanut butter craving hits.

Ingredients

  • 1 c. (2 sticks) butter, softened
  • 2 c. smooth peanut butter
  • 6 c. (about 1 1/2 lbs.) confectioners' sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 12 oz. ( 2 c.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tsp. (such as Crisco)

Directions

  1. 1

    In a large mixing bowl, mix together butter, peanut butter, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla until well combined.

  2. 2

    Line a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan with wax paper. Roll the peanut butter dough into 1-inch balls and place the balls on the lined pan.

  3. 3

    Place pan in the freezer and chill the peanut butter balls until firm, about 30 minutes.

  4. 4

    Combine chocolate chips and shortening in the top of a double boiler or small shallow mixing bowl set over simmering water.

  5. 5

    Stir frequently until chocolate chips are melted and smooth.

  6. 6

    Remove melted chocolate from the pot of simmering water. Remove peanut butter balls from the freezer.

  7. 7

    Working with one peanut butter ball at a time, stick a wooden pick into the ball - inserting it about 3/4 of the way in & making sure to not poke through the bottom of the ball.

  8. 8

    Hold onto the wooden pick as a "handle;" dip the bottom portion of the peanut butter ball into the melted chocolate, leaving some of the peanut butter exposed at the top. Let any excess chocolate drip off back into the melted chocolate.

  9. 9

    Place on the wax paper-lined pan and gently remove the wooden pick.

  10. 10

    Repeat until all peanut butter balls have been dipped in chocolate.

  11. 11

    Chill the dipped buckeyes until the chocolate is set, about 15 minutes. Then use your finger to gently smooth over and fix the hole in each from the wooden pick.

  12. 12

    Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator (or freezer) until serving.

  13. 13

    The peanut butter dough will be pretty stiff and look dry - don't worry, that's how it's supposed to be. It will come together and smooth out when you roll the dough into balls.

  14. 14

    I use a small cookie scoop (about 1 tablespoon capacity) to scoop out the peanut butter dough for each ball. This helps keep my buckeyes all pretty close to the same size.

  15. 15

    See my post How to Melt Chocolate: On the Stove & In the Microwave for helpful tips on melting chocolate.

  16. 16

    I always wait until after the chocolate is chilled and set to smooth over and fix the hole in the top of each buckeye - it's way too easy to smudge the chocolate if you try to fix up the hole right after they take their chocolate dip!