Go Back
–+ servings
4 ingredient buckeyes peanut butter balls on ivory plate with blue Christmas kitchen towel

Easy 4-Ingredient Buckeyes Recipe

How to make dreamy 4 ingredient buckeyes, peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate. Easy small batch buckeye recipe perfect for the holidays!
4.62 from 137 votes
Print Pin
Course: Candy
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours
Servings: 24
Calories: 132kcal
Author: Mel Lockcuff

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, mix up the first three ingredients, including the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, and powdered sugar.
  • Take about a tablespoonful or small cookie scoop of the peanut butter mixture and begin to roll it between your hands. Shape it into as round of a ball as you can and place it on a baking sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper.
  • Continue rolling until all of your peanut butter mixture has been rolled into 1-inch balls.
  • Add toothpicks (for dipping) to each ball.
  • Chill the peanut butter balls in the fridge or freezer for about half an hour.
  • Melt the chocolate according to package directions.*
  • Once your chocolate is ready to go, you can remove the chilled peanut butter balls from the freezer, and start dipping right away.
  • As you partially dip each buckeye into the chocolate, using a toothpick or dipping tool, place it back on the wax paper lined cookie sheet.*
  • Chill the chocolate covered peanut butter balls in the fridge or freezer ’til set, probably about 15-20 minutes.
  • Then remove all the toothpicks and cover up each toothpick hole with your finger (optional step).
  • Store them in an airtight container or festive Christmas tin, lined with wax paper or parchment paper, in the fridge.*

Video

Notes

*For best results, make sure the peanut butter you’re using isn’t a super greasy peanut butter. If it’s too oily, the chocolate may not want to coat the peanut butter mixture. You can also use crunchy peanut butter.
*How to Melt Chocolate for Dipping:
  • Melt it using a double boiler on the stove – This is basically a pan inside of another pan with boiling water in the bottom pan. It allows for more even melting without burning, and it also keeps the chocolate warm for dipping.
  • Melt it in the microwave – This is usually the route I go. I like to use my 2-cup Pyrex Glass Measuring Cup for dipping. Whatever you do, put the melted chocolate in a deeper dish for dipping; I prefer my Pyrex measuring cup because I can use it in the microwave, and it’s the perfect depth and breadth for dipping.
  • Use a fondue pot and make it a family affair.
Also, depending on the type of chocolate used, some people like to add vegetable shortening or paraffin wax to their chocolate as it melts. This allows for a thinner coating and stretches your chocolate a little further.
If you use a good quality chocolate, you likely won't need this step. I started using Ghirardelli Dark Melting Wafers a few years ago, and I love them so much better than almond bark. They're so much easier to work with, and they have fantastic flavor.
*My buckeyes usually have kind of a chocolate ring around the bottom of the buckeyes. You can avoid this by letting excess chocolate drip off the buckeye after dipping; and just lightly press the bottom of the buckeye on a separate sheet of wax paper before putting it back on your cookie sheet.
*They can be kept out, but they won’t keep as long as they will if you keep them in the fridge.
Can Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls Be Frozen?
Yes, they absolutely can. You can freeze them before or after dipping. Just be sure to store them in an airtight container or festive Christmas tin to avoid freezer burn.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 132kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 45mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g
Tried this Recipe? Tag us Today!Mention @mellockcuff or tag #aomrecipes!