Buckeyes
Buckeyes are a classic holiday dessert. If you have never tried one of these before, you are missing out! I grew up having Buckeyes every Christmas. When I met my husband, his Grandma was known for her delicious Buckeyes. She made them every Christmas for large family gatherings and even secretly gifted extra cookie tins to the biggest buckeye fans! Although we suspect everyone secretly got an extra tin to take home. After she passed, I wanted to keep the tradition going for my husband, but we did not have her recipe. I tried several iterations to re-create them based on taste alone. While I can never re-place or recreate his Grandma’s recipe to its exact perfection, my husband has remarked that this version is as close as anyone has ever gotten.
What are Buckeyes? They are a no-bake confectioners’ dessert with a creamy peanut butter center dipped in chocolate. Think of a peanut butter cup but much BETTER! Recipes for this sweet treat are varying and often difficult to narrow to perfection. However, this recipe is nothing but straightforward. I highly recommend adding it to your holiday baking list to spread a little extra joy this year! My recipe varies a little from most other recipes. Instead of the typical creamy smooth center, these buckeye contain a slightly crunchy texture in the rolled into the center. Check out the recipe below and follow Simply Altered Eats for new recipes. As always, I look forward to hearing your thoughts! Enjoy!
Buckeyes
- 3 3/4 cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 cup Crunchy Peanut Butter
- 1 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
- 2 1/2 cup Rice Krispies Cereal
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 pinch Kosher Salt
- 1 1/2 Sticks of Butter (Softened)
- 20 oz Dark Chocolate Melting Wafers (No melting wafers? Start with 2 cups dark chocolate chips and 1-2 tbsp of Coconut Oil.)
- Using a stand mixer (whisk attachment) or hand mixer, whisk together the butter, vanilla, and peanut butter.
- Place the cereal in a Ziploc bag, lightly crunch up but careful not to over do it. It will turn to powder if you over crunch it.
- Add powdered sugar, crunched up rice krispies, and salt. Whisk until completely combined..
- Place in the refrigerator for a minimum of 1 hour or leave overnight.
- Once the peanut butter mixture has cooled and you are ready to make the buckeyes, melt your chocolate. Place the chocolate wafers (or chocolate and oil) in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave according to directions in 20 seconds intervals. Stir after each time. Let cool for 1 minute.
- Using a cookie scoop or spoon, scoop out small balls of the peanut butter mixture, lightly form into balls. (If the pb mixture starts to get very sticky, through it in the freezer for 10 minutes.)
- Drop the balls of peanut butter in the chocolate and use a fork to remove. Shake off access chocolate. Place on wax paper to dry. Repeat until the peanut butter mixture is gone. Should make 3 dozen buckeyes. Best if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and serve cooled or at room temperature. Enjoy!