Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls are a delicious no-bake dessert that require only a few ingredients. This winning combination of peanut butter and chocolate is irresistible. This classic treat is great for holiday cookie trays or to bring to parties any time of the year!
Original recipe posted: December 2018 | Recipe update: December 2019
Christmas 2018 is done! And I’m feeling slightly relieved about that. This season nearly sank me, but I am still afloat. These Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls were meant to go up on the blog before Christmas, but not everything has gone as planned this month. So instead of recommending that you add them to your Christmas Day menu, I suggest adding them to your New Year’s menu!
I love how easy they are to throw together and also that they can easily be dressed up with sprinkles and different types of chocolate. Buckeyes are a delicious finger food treat that’s peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate or almond bark. I brought a huge batch of these to Christmas dinner and they were a hit with adults and kids alike. Buckeye Balls are a classic dessert bite that everyone loves!
If you’re digging the peanut butter flavored desserts, check out these classic peanut butter kiss cookies or a this pan of peanut butter cup crack brownies.
HOW TO MAKE A NO-BAKE BUCKEYE BALL
Everyone loves buckeye balls so make a big batch and share!
Line a large baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.
In a large bowl, combine the confectioners sugar, butter and creamy peanut butter. Mix until combined. Using your hands, roll into 1-inch balls and place on prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Place the chopped almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 1 minute. Stir and heat in 30 second increments, stirring after each, until creamy and free of lumps.
Stab a toothpick into the center of each peanut butter ball and dunk it 2/3 of the way into the melted almond bark. Roll in sprinkles, if desired, and drop back onto the baking sheet; remove the toothpick. Smooth the toothpick hole using your finger.
Place back in the fridge until ready to serve!
RECIPE TIPS
If the peanut butter mixture is too dry to roll into balls, add 2 tablespoons of softened butter at a time until the mixture is malleable.
Keep these refrigerated right up until you are ready to serve them. Leaving them at room temperature will make them soft, and they are best (and less messy) when firm and chilled.
Go crazy with sprinkles if you’d like, but they are delicious naked, too!
For fun, roll enough balls to create a buckeye tree. It’ll look fun and festive!
HOW LONG DO PEANUT BUTTER BALLS LAST
Store peanut butter buckeye balls in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze them for up to 6 months.
USING CHOCOLATE VS ALMOND BARK
You can definitely use melted chocolate instead of almond bark for this recipe. Dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips would work great! I personally love how firm almond bark gets after it hardens, making for a less messy finger food.
WHAT IS A BUCKEYE
This candy was named after a nut from the tree of an Ohio Buckeye, or Aesculus glabra. The nut had a dark chocolate colored exterior with a small tan patch that showed through. So the candy resembles this and that’s how it got its name.
GREAT DESSERTS AND TREATS FOR HOLIDAY PARTIES
Buckeye Balls are the perfect party treat because one batch will feed a ton of people and they are easy to make. There’s also something about finger foods and parties that make a great combo. Here are a few other ideas for great party food:
Cream Cheese Fruit Pizza (a personal FAVORITE!) – The classic, crowd-pleasing Fruit Pizza has a cookie dough crust, dreamy cream cheese frosting and a colorful top layer of fruit and a tasty glaze. Let your creative side shine while decorating your pizza and enjoy popping a bite of fresh fruit into your mouth. Great appetizer/dessert for parties of any kind, any time of the year!
Cheesy Olive Bread – Oozing with cheese and packed with a variety of olives, this Cheesy Olive Bread is a great snack, side or appetizer!
Antipasto Skewers – Turn Antipasto Salad into a delicious finger food! Add pieces of Italian meat or cheese can be threaded onto the skewers for a tasty snack. These Antipasto Skewers are easy to prepare and they’re great as an appetizer or party food.
Oreo Balls – Oreo Balls are an easy no-bake dessert requiring only three ingredients! This easy dessert is great for the holidays or any time of year. Decorate with colored sprinkles to be festive and match the occasion.
Butterfinger Bites – Make Butterfinger Candy Bars in your own kitchen! And with only THREE ingredients! These are great for parties of any kind.
Wishing you and yours an incredible last bit of 2018 and also a fabulous start to the new year! Thanks for being here!
If you make this recipe, be sure to snap a photo and tag it @pipandebby + hashtag it #PIPANDEBBY I’d love to see what you create!
Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls
Ingredients
- 4 cups confectioners sugar
- 3/4 cup salted butter softened
- 2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups chocolate-flavored almond bark chopped
- Sprinkles for decoration, optional
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, butter and peanut butter. Mix until combined. Using your hands, roll into 1-inch balls and place on prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes.
- Place the chopped almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 1 minute. Stir and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until creamy and free of lumps.
- Stab a toothpick into the center of each peanut butter ball and dunk it 2/3 of the way into the melted almond bark. Roll in sprinkles, if desired, and drop back onto the baking sheet; remove the toothpick. Smooth the toothpick hole using your finger. Place back in the fridge until ready to serve!
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