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Published: . Last Updated: by: Ginny McMeans
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Buckeye Candy is a classic with sweetened peanut butter and chocolate being the winning combination. An easy buckeye recipe that is also a no bake vegan recipe.
Let's dive right in!
Table of Contents
What is a Buckeye?
It can be the state tree for Ohio or it can be a fantastic candy. You know I'm all about recipes and this Buckeye candy recipe is an easy, no-bake dessert!
It has a rich creamy peanut butter center and then it is partially dipped into melted chocolate. It's easy to create from start to finish.
Just like other famous recipes such as Libby's Pumpkin Pie or Jet Puffed Marshmallow Creme Fantasy Fudge the original recipes came from the product label. An easy Buckeye recipe was on a Jif Peanut Putter label as far back as I can remember.
The recipe but it has been around since the 1960's. and it is still going strong.
The only thing you have to do to make this pb and chocolate treat vegan is to use dairy free butter and check the label so that there is no milk in the chocolate.
They are very popular on Valentine's Day and Christmas.
Ingredients
- Creamy peanut butter is the main flavor for this sweet treat.
- Dairy free butter makes the peanut butter even creamier.
- Vanilla extract adds a wonderful flavor to treats.
- Powdered sugar make the peanut butter sweet and delicious.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips make the chocolate icing
- Vegan vegetable shortening or solid coconut oilthins the chocolate for dunking and then helps it harden after cooling.
As for making this vegan Buckeye Candy Recipe all you have to do is combine the peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar and vanilla. Roll into balls and chill. Dip in chocolate and enjoy!
Here are more detailed steps along with photographs:
How to make vegan buckeye candy
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper. This makes clean up very easy.
- In a large bowl, beat peanut butter, dairy-free butter, and vanilla until creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar until well combined. Doing it gradually actually makes the candy creamier.
- after the dough is formed shape into 1 inch balls and place on a prepared baking sheet.
- Freeze for 1 hour. When they are firmer it helps when dipping into chocolate.
- Now for the chocolate. In a microwave safe bowl, add chocolate chips and vegan shortening (I use Spectrum) or solid coconut oil.
- Heat for 1 minute, stir and continue heating at 10-15 seconds increments, stirring after each heating. Stop just before all of the chocolate is melted because it will continue to melt itself from the heat.
- Stir until completely melted.
- Remove 3-4 balls at a time from the freezer, leaving the others in the freezer until ready to dip.
- Using a toothpick, dip balls into melted chocolate, covering about ¾ of the ball. Shake off excess and place on prepared baking sheet.
- Twist the toothpick out of the ball. With your fingertip or knife tip, smooth over the hole from the toothpick
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Or freeze for up to 3 months.
Pro tips:
- If you store this vegan buckeye candy in the refrigerator just keep it covered.
- Mix in the powdered sugar very well so that the consistency is even.
- You can reduce the dairy-free butter by a tablespoon if you'd like a firmer ball.
- Some kinds of peanut butter are oilier than others so you really need to mix the dough with these measurements. It's easy to add extra powdered sugar if it is too sticky (oily).
- Dust your hands with powdered sugar when rolling the dough into balls. Then you'll be sure not to get sticky hands.
- If you'd like to dress them up with color for Valentine's day then you can change out the chocolate for vegan white chocolate and sprinkle with a few red sprinkles.
- Or you can keep them chocolate and add red for Valentine's Day or red and green for Christmas or blue for Chanakah and on and on.
- If you'd like to freeze these balls it is no problem. They can be taken one at a time right out of the freezer and enjoyed.
FAQ's
What is the best peanut butter to use?
To keep them tasty and classic use a creamy salted peanut butter. If you want to use a natural peanut butter you want to mix the pb really well. Like, scoop it all into a bowl and mix it.
Can crunchy peanut butter be used in this buckeye candy recipe?
Yes! That is just a variation and it is so very good.
Why are they called buckeyes?
This candy mimics the nut from the buckeye tree that is the state tree of Ohio. The Buckeyes are the name of their football team too.
Can I use coconut oil for the chocolate?
Yes, that is no problem but you have to use the solid white kind not the liquid one. The chocolate needs to reharden after it cools.
What chocolate is best for homemade candy
- They will all work but of course, we want to choose vegan chocolate to start with.
- If you're a dark chocolate lover then by all means use that. It is naturally vegan and melts very quickly and smoothly.
- Melting wafers work and there are a few vegan varieties in both white chocolate and regular chocolate.
More peanut butter desserts
- Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Balls are a favorite.
📋 Recipe
Vegan Buckeye Candy Recipe
Ginny McMeans
Buckeye Candy is a classic with sweetened peanut butter and chocolate being the winning combination.
4.86 from 27 votes
Print Save
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Chilling Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Course Candy, Dessert
Cuisine Dairy-Free, Gluten Free, Vegan
Servings 48 Candies
Calories 122 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup Creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup Dairy-free butter - softened
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 3 ½ cups Organic powdered sugar
- 12 ounces Vegan semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons Vegan vegetable shortening - or solid coconut oil
Instructions
Line baking sheets with parchment paper
In a large bowl, beat peanut butter, butter and vanilla extract until creamy.
Gradually add powdered sugar until well combined
Shape into 1 inch balls and place on prepared baking sheet.Freeze for 1 hour.
In a microwave-safe bowl, add chocolate chips and shortening. Heat for 1 minute, stir and continue heating for 10-15 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating and stop just before all chocolate is melted. Stir until completely melted.
Remove 3-4 balls at a time from the freezer, leaving the others in the freezer until ready to dip
Using a toothpick, dip balls into melted chocolate, covering about ¾ of the ball. Shake off excess and place on a prepared baking sheet, With your fingertip or knife tip, smooth over the hole from the toothpick.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Or freeze for up to 3 months
Video
Notes
Peanut butter –peanut butter is a staple of buckeye candy. Use classic creamy peanut butter for the amazing texture. I do not recommend the crunchy peanut butter as it will mess with the texture. Also, do not use natural peanut butter, as the buckeye candy may be too oily.
Dary-free butter – non-dairy butter is essential for creating a rich and creamy texture. I used salted butter, but you can use the unsalted version too. Take note that salt gives a balance to sweet candies.
Vanilla extract – as you already know, vanilla extract enhances the flavor of every dessert and sweets in general.
Organic powdered sugar – organic powdered sugar makes the buckeye candy sweet, but also helps us stabilize the mixture and allows us to roll it into the balls. Use powdered sugar for a smoother buckeye candy. The granulated sugar may give a gritty texture.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips – choose the trusted brand of semi-sweet chocolate chips. The coating is an important step in making buckeye, so it is a good idea to have the best chocolate possible. You can melt the chocolate in a microwave or over the stove.
Coconut oil – coconut oil or vegetable shortening is added to the chocolate to make it more runny. This runny chocolate will give you a nice thin coating for your buckeye. Also, runnier chocolate means easier dipping of the buckeye.
Recipe tips:
- Add your powdered sugar gradually. If you add it all at once, it will be harder to incorporate it into the peanut butter and the batter will become too dry and unmanageable.
- When it comes to storing, you can store the buckeye in the fridge, in an airtight container, for at least two weeks.
- The buckeye candy can be stored in a freezer too. Place them in a freezer-friendly container, and store them for several months. To serve, just set them at room temperature for 15 minutes.
Nutrition
Serving: 1CandyCalories: 122kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 52mgPotassium: 93mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 4IUCalcium: 8mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Comments
Sara
I ate more than I care to admit!
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