My favorite thing about the holidays is all of the baking–like this easy buckeyes recipe! They are so fun for kids to help make, too!

Best Peanut Butter Buckeyes Recipe 

I am always on the search for easy Christmas recipes for gifts! There’s just something extra special about homemade baked goods given with love during the holidays! Dress these chocolate buckeyes up in a Christmas tin, or package them in a gift basket along with hot chocolate fixings and holiday mugs, for an easy, inexpensive, and thoughtful gift. Makes: 45-50 Prep Time: 15 min Chill Time: 60 min

Ingredients: 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 ½ cups powdered sugar Coating:  1 (12oz) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening or coconut oil

How to Make Peanut Butter Buckeyes

1. First, line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Then, in a large bowl, beat peanut butter, butter and vanilla extract until creamy.

3. Gradually add powdered sugar until, well combined.

4. Then, shape into 1-inch balls and place on prepared baking sheet.

5. Freeze for 1 hour. 6. In a microwave safe bowl, add chocolate chips and shortening. 7. Then, 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. 8. Stir until completely melted. 9. Remove 3-4 balls at a time from the freezer, leaving the others in the freezer until ready to dip.

10. Using a toothpick, dip balls into melted chocolate, covering about ¾ of the ball. Shake off excess and place on prepared baking sheet.

11. With your finger tip, smooth over the hole from the toothpick. 12. 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.

Vegan and Gluten Free Buckeyes Recipes

This buckeyes recipe can be adapted for vegans, if you use vegan chocolate chips (like Enjoy Life brand). That is the only substitution needed! The original recipe is already gluten free, too! Just make sure to double check your labels to be sure there is no cross-contamination. 

Can I Eat Buckeyes With a Peanut Allergy?

The original buckeyes recipe is made with peanut butter. If you have a peanut allergy, then do not follow the original recipe. To make peanut-free buckeyes, substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter, like Sunbutter brand (as long as you don’t have an allergy to one of the ingredients). 

Yield: 45-50

Buckeyes Recipe

Print

Nothing says the holidays like a platter of Buckeyes! The perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter...

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
• Coating:
• 1 (12oz) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening or coconut oil

Instructions

1. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, beat peanut butter, butter and vanilla extract until creamy.
3. Gradually add powdered sugar until well combined.
4. Shape into 1 inch balls and place on prepared baking sheet.
5. Freeze for 1 hour.
6. In a microwave safe bowl, add chocolate chips and shortening.
7. 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.
8. Stir until completely melted.
9. Remove 3-4 balls at a time from the freezer, leaving the others in the freezer until ready
   to dip.
10. Using a toothpick, dip balls into melted chocolate, covering about ¾ of the ball. Shake off excess and place on prepared baking sheet.
11. With your finger tip, smooth over the hole from the toothpick.
12. 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.

Kid-Friendly Holiday Recipes

As hard as it has been over the years to find things my daughter will eat, the holidays have pretty much always been an easy time because there are so many kid-friendly holiday recipes! Here are a few of her favorites: 

• You’ll never run out of ideas with these 75+ Christmas cookie recipes you have to try!
• These 5 Christmas morning breakfast ideas are so delicious you might be able to coax the kids away from their new toys for a bite or two! 
• Kids have so much fun making Christmas cookie dough truffles. 
• My daughter LOVES the Christmas tree waffles, along with the rest of these 14 festive Christmas breakfast/ brunch ideas. 
• Kids love Oreos, and they will love them even more when you make these 30 Oreo recipes that you have to make this holiday season! 

What is your favorite Christmas cookie? Comment below!