Do you know what a Buckeye is? It's a poisonous nut. It's also, of course, the mascot for Ohio State and an addictive candy that shows up at every OSU football party - little balls of sweet peanut butter, dipped in chocolate. Even if you're not from Ohio, you can love these easy candies. In fact, people who haven't stuffed themselves sick on them at some point in college tend to be even more delighted with a pack of Buckeyes at Christmas.
These freeze well. I, regrettably, prefer them straight from the freezer. They are also the first of several Christmas candies, suitable for food gifts or the holiday buffet table, that we'll look at in the next several weeks.
This recipe makes an insane, ungodly amount of Buckeyes. Even if you like them, you'll be a little sick of them by the end, which is helpful when you have hundreds of pieces of chocolate and peanut butter sitting in your freezer. Makes it easier to give them away to people who will never, ever, refuse them.
Chocolate and Peanut Butter Buckeyes
makes about 13 dozen
2 lbs. powdered sugar
3 cups peanut butter (smooth and not the all-natural kind)
1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
1 1/2 lb. chocolate chips, semi-sweet (24 oz.)
1/2 bar edible paraffin wax*
Whip the first three ingredients with an electric mixer and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. After it's chilled, settle down in front of a good movie or with some friends to roll it into small, 1-inch balls. Put these back into the fridge or freezer on parchment-covered baking sheets.
Melt the chocolate and wax in a double boiler, over, not in, boiling water, stirring mixture until smooth. Keep warm.
Dip balls using toothpick, leaving uncovered spot on top. You may fill in toothpick marks with little bits of peanut butter mixture. Dry on waxed paper. Chill covered in refrigerator or freezer. When completely hard, store in the refrigerator or freezer. If well-wrapped they can stay in the freezer for months, if you can stay away from them. Like I said, really good right out of the freezer!
*The wax makes these a little more stable and less prone to melt. But if you don't want to ingest wax and leave it out, that's fine. You'll just have to be more careful about not letting them get too warm.
my roommate and i made those one year...they are deadly delicious and addictive. i think we used shortening instead of paraffin. we just kept them in the freezer--they really didn't need to defrost much.
I remember these from childhood as well! My memories are a little vague, but they were delicious and it was impossible to have as many as I wanted. I'll have to make them this year.
Mmmmmmm, these were my favorites when I was a kid.
I've never had a buckeye candy, but my dad has a couple buckeye trees in his backyard.
I might give this a try for a holiday party, but I think I'll leave the wax out of the recipe. Should be easy enough to present over a bowl of ice water.
Would tempering the chocolate before dipping stabilize it without requiring wax?
Also, I have a version of this recipe that includes crisped rice in the peanut butter, making the buckeyes much lighter.
It's funny, my sister is compiling a family cookbook and almost this exact recipe (wax and all) came from my Grandmother to my eyes just a few days ago. My grandma made this for christmas every year I can remember and I've probably gobbled more of them than I care to admit.
Yes, I would definitely imagine that tempering the chocolate would negate the need for wax. I think it's an "housewife" recipe and the wax was an addition to replace the often daunting task of tempering.
have you ever tried a baby ice cream scoop instead of rolling these into balls by hand? these sound delicious!
If you roll the peanut butter mixture into 1" diameter logs and then chill, it will be much easier and quicker to roll into balls.
An even easier way to do the chocolate is to check your baking aisle at the grocery store for something called Almond Bark - melt some down and use that for your chocolate coating instead of the chocolate chips, and you can serve these at room temperature, without adding the wax or worrying about the chocolate coating getting melty. And easier than tempering!
i love these and want to surprise my g-ma sith them for christmas. (she thinks no body in the family but her can make them.) also if i make g-ma some the rest of the fairly large fanily will want some. so i need a bunch. how much will this recipe make?
i just made the first part of my batch this last weekend, and they are terrific! this easily makes about 5 dozen balls, probably more. i cant get over how great my kitchen smells this holiday season!
Just updated this with a quantity - if you keep them small, about 1 inch, you get between 12 and 14 dozen. I use a melon baller to scoop evenly sized chunks then roll them.
I have the biggest problem rolling these smooth - my coordination must not be that good. They always turn out looking like pointy dreidels...
A girlfriend of mine at work introduced me to these wonderful and decedent treats this past holiday season. I am from the northeast and had never heard of them. Not being a huge fan of peanut butter I tried one not knowing what I was in for. WOW!!! This was the best thing I had ever tasted. My friend jotted down the receipt for me but not to specification. Not wanting to mess anything up I went searching on the internet and found this receipt. I will be trying it very soon!!!
Considering I live in Ohio, these are a classic (it is the buckeye state after all!). Especially popular during Ohio State Buckeye football season.
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These sound like Kryptonite for someone who likes Peanut butter and chocolate--me!
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:-) awesome, these were a big part of my childhood and whenever I come home to my Mom's... she grew up right near the OSU campus, so she is an avid buckeye fan. Another great way to enjoy this recipe, and if you are rushed for time, is just layer it in cake pan for Buckeye bars. YUM.
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We make these every year for Christmas and give them to friends and teachers and everyone loves them. Try 3 lbs of powdered sugar if you want them a little sturdier. They will taste less peanutty, but melt in your mouth more and not melt if you leave them out.
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