Why are my Buckeyes so sticky?

Why are my Peanut Butter Balls so sticky? First, make sure you're using regular peanut butter (rather than the natural peanut butter that's more runny). If it's too sticky still, you can simply add a little more powdered sugar until it's a nice consistency for rolling into small balls.

What is Buckeye flavor?

If you're wondering what the hell is buckeye candy… it's basically a ball of peanut butter fudge that's partially dipped in chocolate . If they are fully covered in chocolate, then they'd be called peanut butter balls.

Why are my buckeyes dry?

To avoid a dry, crumby dough . . . Mix together the peanut butter and butter first, and then stir in the powdered sugar one cup at a time, until you reach the right consistency . Usually about 3 cups of powdered sugar will do for approximately 1 1/2-2 cups of peanut butter.

What toxins are in buckeyes?

Toxic Principle The glycoside aesculin and fraxin and possible a narcotic alkaloid, present in the young growing sprouts, leaves and seeds are thought to be responsible for toxicity in animals. Experimentally, as little as 1/2% body weight of ground nuts fed to calves produced severe poisoning.

Can humans eat buckeye nuts?

Removing the shell and roasting the nut neutralizes its harmful tannic acid content and makes for a protein-packed snack. If not prepared properly though, buckeye nuts are toxic to humans , causing symptoms including weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, paralysis, and death.

Are raw buckeyes edible?

The seeds of yellow buckeye are poisonous to humans if eaten raw . Native Americans detoxified the seeds with a roasting procedure using hot rocks. Bookbinders have benefitted from the toxic properties of buckeye.

Why is my peanut butter ball dough sticky?

If your butter was too soft or if the peanut butter you're using is too thin , the filling can get a little soft and sticky as you're rolling. The refrigerator can fix that—stop what you're doing and chill the bowl of filling for 15 minutes in the refrigerator before trying again to roll into balls.

How do you keep buckeyes from sweating?

SHORTENING added to the chocolate is the big secret ingredient for buckeyes. This helps stabilize the chocolate so that it dips nicely, and helps prevent the chocolate from weeping and sweating once it's hardened. Traditionally, people added paraffin wax to the chocolate to achieve this.

How long does it take for a Buckeye to dry out?

Dry your buckeye nuts in the sun for a few days . If you want to speed things up, you can dry them in an over at 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93.3 degrees Celsius) for two hours [source: Buckeyetree].

Buckeyes Recipe - Lauren's Latest (2024)

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A perfect marriage of peanut butter and chocolate make Ohio-famous Buckeyes a no-bake masterpiece. Similar to Peanut Butter Balls, Buckeyes are made with creamy peanut butter, sweet powdered sugar and butter, rolled into balls and partially dipped into melted chocolate, leaving just a little bit of peanut butter exposed – making them look just like real buckeyes.

Ok, What are Buckeyes?

Real buckeyes are a shiny, brown nut that grow on an Ohio state tree – the buckeye tree. Buckeyes resemble the eye of a deer, hence: BUCK EYE. I have memories of buckeye nuts every fall all over our sidewalks. My grandpa used to drill holes in them so we could string them for necklaces. Such a fun memory! Unless you’re a squirrel, do NOT try to eat this nut. 🙂 Make this recipe instead!

Buckeyes, the candy – are a combination of peanut butter, butter, and powdered sugar shaped into small balls. You then dip them in melted chocolate, but not all of it! Leave a small portion of the peanut butter visible which look exactly like the buckeye nut.

How to Make Buckeyes

For full recipe details, see the printable recipe card down below. Here is step by step what you can expect when making this Buckeye recipe:

Prep Baking Sheet

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Cream Butter + Peanut Butter Together

Cream softened butter and peanut butter in a bowl with hand mixer or stand mixer with paddle until color begins to lighten and mixture is silky smooth.

Add vanilla and salt and mix until combined.

Add Powdered Sugar

SLOWLY add powdered sugar in 1/3 cup increments mixing well in between. “Dough” should be thick enough to roll into balls. If you haven’t achieved that texture, add a little bit more sugar.

Form Balls + Refrigerate

Scoop out tablespoon sized portions and roll into balls with clean hands. Place balls onto parchment lined baking sheet. Place a toothpick into the center of each ball and refrigerate for 15 min to an hour.

Pro Tip: if you find your balls start out rolling out smoothly but then start to stick, try cleaning your hands periodically. Clean hands make the smoothest balls.

Melt Chocolate

Meanwhile, melt both types of chocolate together with coconut oil in a double boiler or microwave, stirring and making sure not to burn.

Dip Balls in Chocolate

Remove balls from refrigerator and holding onto the toothpick, dip each ball into chocolate being sure to cover just about 80% of the peanut butter to achieve that “Buckeye” look.Place back onto baking sheet until all buckeyes have been dipped and chocolate is set.

Remove Toothpicks + Serve

Once peanut butter has come back to room temperature, using a twisting motion remove toothpicks. Cover the hole by gently smoothing peanut butter with your finger. Serve immediately.

Storing Buckeyes

Store in airtight container in the fridge or at room temperature if you prefer softer peanut butter.

You can also freeze Buckeyes if you want to store them longer (perfect for a make ahead option). To freeze, place buckeyes on a parchment paper lined baking sheet or something flat that will fit in your freezer. Freeze until balls are frozen solid, then transfer to a freezer safe, airtight container or bag. They should stay fresh in the freezer up to 3 months. The texture may change slightly after freezing and thawing, but the taste shouldn’t be effected.

More Peanut Butter Dessert Recipes to Try!

Peanut Butter Balls
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Peanut Butter Cookies
No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
Peanut Butter Energy Balls

I hope you love these little gems! The printable recipe card is below. Have a great day, friends!

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you wouldgive it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.

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4 from 2 votes

Buckeyes

A perfect marriage of peanut butter and chocolate make Ohio-famous Buckeyes a no-bake masterpiece.

servings 36 pieces

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

▢ 1/2 cup butter unsalted, softened
▢ 2 cups peanut butter creamy, not natural
▢ 1 tsp vanilla extract
▢ 4 cups confectioners sugar (powdered)
▢ 1/4 tsp sea salt or kosher
▢ 12 oz semisweet chocolate chips I used Ghirardelli
▢ 11.5 oz milk chocolate chips I used Ghirardelli
▢ 1 tsp coconut oil or vegetable shortening

Equipment

toothpicks for dipping

Instructions

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Cream softened butter and peanut butter in a bowl with hand mixer or stand mixer with paddle until color begins to lighten and mixture is silky smooth.
Add vanilla and salt and mix until combined.
SLOWLY add powdered sugar in 1/3 cup increments mixing well in between. "Dough" should be thick enough to roll into balls. If you haven't achieved that texture, add a little bit more sugar.
Scoop out tablespoon sized portions and roll into balls with clean hands*. Place balls onto parchment lined baking sheet. Place a toothpick into the center of each ball and refrigerate for 15 min to an hour.
Meanwhile, melt both types of chocolate together with coconut oil in a double boiler or microwave, stirring and making sure not to burn.
Remove balls from refrigerator and holding onto the toothpick, dip each ball into chocolate being sure to cover just about 80% of the peanut butter to achieve that "Buckeye" look.
Place back onto baking sheet until all buckeyes have been dipped and chocolate is set.
Once peanut butter has come back to room temperature, using a twisting motion remove toothpicks. Cover the hole by gently smoothing peanut butter with your finger. Serve immediately. Store in airtight container in refrigerator or at room temperature if you prefer softer peanut butter.

Video

Notes

*if you find your balls start out rolling out smoothly but then start to stick, try cleaning your hands periodically. Clean hands make the smoothest balls.

Nutrition

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Buckeyes