0 EASY Creamy Peanut Butter Balls {Buckeyes}

These creamy, dreamy peanut butter balls, dipped in melted chocolate, are SO much better than the store bought Reese's Peanut Butter cups! With only a handful of pantry ingredients, they are SO easy to make, so grab your kiddos and give this recipe a try.

These are also known as "Buckeyes." There is a tree native to Ohio that produces seeds, and these chocolates sure look like them...eyes from a male (buck) deer....I haven't seen a buck up close, so I wouldn't know for sure.

Buckeye Nut

So, go here if you want to know more about Ohio & buckeyes.

The recipe couldn't be more simple. Mix softened butter, peanut butter, powdered sugar and vanilla extract in a stand mixer to make a stiff dough. I love using this Flex Edge beater that scrapes the sides of my bowl!

Use a small, one Tablespoon cookie scoop, filled with peanut butter goodness, and level it by scrapping off the excess against the bowl.

Drop onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, wax paper or silicone baking sheet. I love my Silpat baking sheet for more than just baking!

Roll each ball between your hands and chill in the fridge until firm.

Melt chocolate chips with some shortening (or butter), and dip your peanut butter balls into the chocolate. The original Buckeye recipe has you take a toothpick, insert it into the peanut butter ball, and dip it into the chocolate. I found this method of using a fork & a toothpick SO much easier and faster.

1. Simply put your peanut butter ball into the melted chocolate. 

2. Using a fork, swirl the peanut butter ball in the chocolate until fully coated.

3. Tap the fork against the edge of the bowl a couple of times,

4. Scrape off the excess chocolate with the fork, on the edge of the bowl.

5. Use a toothpick to push the coated chocolate ball onto your prepared cookie sheet.

Chill in the fridge & enjoy!

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Creamy Peanut Butter Balls - Reese's Copycat {Buckeyes}

by Frieda Franchina, adapted from several recipes April-3-2020

These chocolate covered peanut butter balls taste so much better than the store bought version. The creamy centers are incredibly easy to make and even easier to make an impression! Tip: Sift your powdered sugar first, then measure. If you don't have a microwave, use a metal/glass bowl set over a pan of simmering water.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups sifted powdered sugar (sift, then measure)
• 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips 
• 1 Tablespoons shortening, or butter

Instructions

1. Put softened butter in a bowl. With a mixer, blend until smooth.2. Add peanut butter & vanilla extract, creaming together until smooth.3. Add sifted powdered sugar, a little bit at a time, until fully incorporated, making a stiff dough.4. Using a small cookie scoop, measure and place onto a prepared cookie sheet lined with wax paper, parchment paper or silicone baking sheet.5. Roll each ball between hands until smooth & place filled baking sheet in the fridge to chill for 2 hours.6. Melt chocolate chips & shortening in a microwave safe bowl for 1 minute on High power. Stir, then microwave an additional 30 seconds. Stir until smooth.7. Remove peanut butter balls from the fridge and dip in chocolate, using a fork and scraping the excess chocolate on the edge of the bowl. 8. Using a toothpick, push the covered chocolate from the fork & back onto the prepared baking sheet. 9. For "Buckeyes," use a tooth pick inserted into the peanut butter ball, and dip into the melted chocolate, returning to prepared baking sheet, chocolate side down. 10. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until set.

Details

Prep time: 20 mins Chill time: 2 hours Total time: 2 hour 20 mins Yield: approx. 28 balls