This recipe for buckeye balls is classic peanut butter balls dipped in dark or white chocolate and coated with sprinkles. An easy no bake holiday dessert!
Rich and creamy peanut butter balls are dipped in chocolate and decorated with festive sprinkles for a no bake treat that’s perfect for a special occasion. These buckeye balls make a great gift and are always a welcome addition to any holiday dessert table along with classic such as rum balls and Christmas crack.
The holidays are here and we are busy decorating, crafting and creating delicious treats! Our lights are up and I’ve made quite a few batches of these amazing peanut butter buckeye balls to give out to family and friends. These chocolate covered peanut butter balls are a classic holiday treat that I make every year. They’re a great project to do with the kids, my kids call it “peanut butter play doh” which is actually pretty accurate!
Ingredients for Buckeye Balls
This recipe is made with peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, chocolate, sprinkles and shortening.
How do you make peanut butter balls?
Place the peanut butter, butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl. Stir until a dough forms. You may need to use your hands to knead everything together. Roll the peanut butter mixture into balls, then chill. Melt the chocolate and shortening together, then use a toothpick to dip each ball halfway in the chocolate. Roll the balls in sprinkles if desired. Use your finger to smooth the top of each buckeye ball to remove the hole from the toothpick. Chill until the chocolate is set, then serve and enjoy.
Tips and Tricks for Buckeye Balls
- I typically use a measuring spoon to portion out my peanut butter “dough” so that all of the balls are the same size.
- It’s worth it to take the extra time to sift the powdered sugar; otherwise you might end up with a lumpy dough.
- The traditional way to do buckeye balls is to dip them in semisweet chocolate. I decided to mix things up a bit, and dipped half my balls in semisweet chocolate and the other half in white chocolate and holiday sprinkles.
- You can use whatever type of sprinkles you like. It’s fun to switch out the sprinkle colors to match whatever occasion you’re celebrating. Or you can leave off the sprinkles altogether, there are so many ways to decorate buckeye balls!
Recipe FAQs
You can store peanut butter balls in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. You can also freeze your buckeye balls for up 2 months. Just be aware, if you choose to freeze your buckeye balls, when you thaw them, the chocolate may have a little condensation on it. That being said, they’ll still taste great!
The easiest way to coat your peanut butter balls in chocolate is to stick a toothpick into each ball, then lower the ball into a bowl of melted chocolate. This works best if your peanut butter balls are very cold, so make sure you chill them first. You can use your finger to smooth over the little hole that the toothpick leaves behind.
Flavor variations
While these buckeye balls are delicious as-is, you can add other ingredients to customize the flavors to your tastes.
- Chocolate: Milk chocolate is another great option aside from the dark and white chocolates listed in the recipe.
- Toppings: You can roll your balls in other toppings such as finely diced nuts or coconut.
- Add-ins: Feel free to add some texture to your peanut butter balls by mixing in 3/4 cup of rice krispy cereal. Another great option is to use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth.
Peanut butter balls are a classic treat that never goes out of style – I have been eating them as long as I can remember! There’s just something amazing about the peanut butter chocolate combo, and I urge you to try these with the white chocolate too, you won’t regret it.
More no bake treats
- Microwave Caramels
- Avalanche Cookies
- No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies
- No Bake Nutella Cookies
- No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
Buckeye Balls Video
Buckeye Balls
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup butter at room temperature
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 8 ounces chocolate chips or candy melts/almond bark can be dark chocolate, white chocolate or both
- 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening
- optional: 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Place the peanut butter, butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl. Mix until the ingredients are incorporated, then knead with your hands until a smooth dough forms.
- Shape the dough into tablespoon sized balls and place on a sheet pan that’s been lined with parchment paper.
- Refrigerate the peanut butter balls for at least 30 minutes.
- Place the chocolate chips or candy melts and shortening in a medium bowl. If using 2 types of chocolate, place 4 ounces of each chocolate with 1/2 tablespoon shortening into 2 bowls.
- Microwave the chocolate in 30 second intervals or until melted. Stir until smooth and thoroughly combined.
- Remove the buckeye balls from the fridge. Use a toothpick to pick up each ball and and dip it into the melted chocolate. Quickly roll the ball in sprinkles if using (optional). Repeat with each ball. Use your finger to smooth over the top of each ball to remove the mark from the toothpick.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until set, then serve.
Notes
- I typically use a measuring spoon to portion out my peanut butter “dough” so that all of the balls are the same size.
- It’s worth it to take the extra time to sift the powdered sugar; otherwise you might end up with a lumpy dough.
- Buckeye balls will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
LavandaMichelle says
Omg! These look so very delicious. I have to try ASAP.
Athena says
I absolutely love Buckeye balls – my favorite holiday treat in the world!
Cindy Ingalls says
I could eat Buckeye balls all year round, but they feel extra special at the holidays. I love the combo of peanut butter and chocolate.
Kathryn at QuestFor47 says
I don’t eat peanut butter, but these buckeye balls looks SO yummy! I’m sure any peanut butter fan would be all over this and it looks like a ton of fun to make with family!
Gavin says
These look DELISH and relatively simple to make too – love me some peanut butter
Vicki Mangus says
Question is vegetable oil the same as vegetable shorting? I originally used the candy melts but going to use chiocolate chips this time so want to make sure I have the right ingrediant. The candy melts worked great at first but then tried melting them in my microwave & they got to thick so want to make sure it doesn’t happen when I usethe chocolate chips. Appreciate your response thanks & love your post thanks so much!
Sara says
Vegetable oil is not the same as shortening. Shortening is a solid form of fat that comes in a can. When you add shortening to either chocolate chips or candy melts, it will help thin them out to make them more dippable. My favorite option is to use Ghirardelli Melting Wafers, they come in red bags (dark choc) and blue bags (white choc) in the baking aisle. They melt really thin so they’re perfect for dipping and they taste great!
Lesley says
Could you freeze the peanut butter balls and then dip them in chocolate later? I want to make a few days ahead of time but don’t want to dip them until I’m about ready to serve them, with enough time to set of course.
Sara says
Absolutely!
mike says
Their the greatest!
Sheila says
Can the Buck Eye balls be kept in freezer or refrigerated for 2 weeks? I’d like to make them ahead of time.
Thank you
Sara says
Yes you can freezer or refrigerate them for 2 weeks. If you freeze them, when you go to thaw there may be a little condensation on the chocolate part but they still taste just as great!
rhonda bryson says
I cannot wait to make these, love peanut butter balls.. Was wondering tho if would be ok to freeze them or refrigerate them instead.
Thanks a bunch!😋😋
Sara says
Yes you can freeze or refrigerate them!
DARCY says
Love the idea of sprinkles…have only been dipping some of mine in the white chocolate. I have nicknamed these “Blonde Eyes”.
Veronica says
Love this recipe can not wait to make these!! Could you use coconut oil rather than shortening??
Sara says
Yes that should work!
Elizabeth says
I love a good excuse to consume more peanut butter and chocolate. Yum!!
Carrie says
If these are completely dipped in chocolate, do they still need to be refridgerated? Like if I made them for treat bags, should I keep them in a cooler while traveling? Looks yummy!
Sara says
You definitely don’t need to put them in a cooler for travel, but for long term storage I’d refrigerate them. They can probably be at room temp for 6-8 hours. Hope that helps!
Greg says
Peanut butter balls are a fun treat. I love the idea of dipping them into chocolate!
Sam says
These look delicious and easy to make.
Beatrice says
I’ve always loved these peanut butter balls! I’m making them for a holiday cookie exchange!
Karly says
Highly considering ditching all of my weekend plans for a full 48 hour cookie baking-and-eating extravaganza. These look SO good– love me a good buckeye ball! And love how you did the half-dip and added sprinkles. So pretty!
Debbie says
I just love these classic peanut butter balls with the holiday decorations! Yummy and festive!
Kathy says
I made this yesterday with 8 family members around. They aren’t going to last 6 more days until Christmas.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
One of my favorites treats on the dessert table! Love the white chocolate version with sprinkles too 🙂