Peanut butter and chocolate are such a perfect pairing. Growing up my mom would always make homemade peanut butter cups during Christmas and I looked forward to them every year. I haven’t made my own peanut butter cups in years, but after moving to Kentucky I added Peanut Butter Buckeyes to the list of holiday sweets I make. I’d had them before but they weren’t as common in Maine where I grew up. In fact, it wasn’t until moving to Kentucky that I knew they were named after a nut!
As with years past, this week I made a big batch of buckeyes. They’re not that time consuming and they are always one of the most-commented on goody that I include in the holiday sweet samplers that I make for our friends and extended family each year.
Peanut Butter Buckeyes
- 1 1/2 C peanut butter (creamy)
- 1/2 C unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2-3 C confectioner’s sugar
- 6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate
- 2 T vegetable shortening
- Line a baking sheet with waxed paper or parchment paper (or a Silpat mat – maybe Santa will bring me one this year!) and set aside.
- In a medium bowl combine peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and two cups of confectioner’s sugar with your hands until a smooth, stiff dough forms. Add additional confectioner’s sugar, up to three total cups, if needed to form desired consistency. Roll into a ball using 2 tsp. of dough per ball. Place each on the lined baking sheet; use a toothpick to create a small hole in the top of each peanut butter ball. Place in the freezer for 30-45 minutes, until well-chilled.
- Melt shortening and chocolate together either in a double-boiler or the microwave. (If using the microwave, melt in 30-second bursts, stirring well after each; don’t over-heat.)
- Remove chilled peanut butter balls from freezer. Dip each one into the melted chocolate leaving just a small bare circle around the hole in the top. Repeat until all peanut butter balls are dipped, then place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to set.
Bubbles likes to help me in the kitchen so I gave her a small bowl with a tablespoon or two of peanut butter in it to “mix”. After about 20 seconds of “mix mama! See, mix!” she forgot about the joys of mixing and instead decided to lick it all off the spoon. At least she had fun and is learning a love of cooking!
What is your favorite holiday treat to make?
About Liza
Liza is a mom (5-year-old daughter, 20-year-old stepson, and 24-year-old stepdaughter) and wife living in Louisville. She loves spending time with her family, visiting the local zoo and parks, as well as planning travel adventures. Cooking and baking, DIY projects and crafts, and coffee - lots and lots of coffee - round out some of her other hobbies.
I have not had these in several years. I love them. Great if you want to link them up to friday food frenzy. here is the link http://www.stayingclosetohome.com/2012/12/friday-food-frenzy-holiday-wrap-up-all.html#more
Our whole family always devours these, thanks for sharing your recipe. Our favorite treat though is probably iced sugar cookies!
I’ve never seen these, but I would LOVE to try them out! Looks delicious.. thanks for the recipe! :O)
These are similar to the peanut butter eggs I would make for Easter. I kept seeing buckeyes but didnt know what they were till now. These look SO good I cant wait to make some. The kids can have fun helping me with these plus we all can enjoy eating them too. thanks so much for the recipe
I made these today for Christmas day treats…..ohhh so good!! Thank you for sharing it!!
These look so delicious! I should make them for my husband – he loves peanut butter!
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These are low-calorie and fat-free, right? They look so good. I know they’d be a huge hit in our family. We all love peanut butter and chocolate. Thanks for sharing!
I should not be looking at this when I’m hungry…look so good!
They are seriously so addictive! I gave most of them away in our Christmas foodie boxes; I knew I would be too tempted!
Oh these look divine. I absolutely adore peanut butter and when you add my favorite milk chocolate I’m in heaven.
Adding this one to my recipe file. Thanks!
Boy I wish I had this recipe before visiting my brother over Christmas. We both love chocolate and PB but don’t care too much for what we find in stores. This looks great!
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The recipe does not say how many it will make, unless I didn’t see it.
It really depends on the size you’re making them. At least a couple dozen
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How do you usually store these? Like do they have to stay refrigerated? And separate question, can you make them ahead of time and freeze them? …
Hi Cathy! Refrigerator will help keep them longer, but they’ll also stay on the counter in an air-tight container for a couple of days. And yes, you should be able to freeze them, no problem!
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