Buckeye Peanut Butter Cookies (Printable)
No-bake peanut butter balls partially dipped in chocolate, inspired by Ohio's beloved buckeye nut.
# What You'll Need:
→ Peanut Butter Filling
01 - 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
02 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
03 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
04 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
05 - 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
→ Chocolate Coating
06 - 10 oz semisweet or dark chocolate chips
07 - 1 tablespoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening (optional, for smoothness)
# How-to Steps:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, beat together the peanut butter, softened butter, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and creamy.
02 - Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until a thick, pliable dough forms.
03 - Scoop out heaping teaspoonfuls of the peanut butter mixture and roll into 1-inch balls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
04 - Chill the peanut butter balls in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until firm.
05 - In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips with coconut oil (if using) in 30-second increments, stirring until smooth.
06 - Using a toothpick, dip each peanut butter ball into the melted chocolate, leaving the top portion uncovered to resemble a buckeye.
07 - Return the coated balls to the baking sheet and remove the toothpick, smoothing over the hole if desired.
08 - Refrigerate the cookies until the chocolate is set, about 20 minutes.
09 - Serve chilled or at room temperature. Store leftover cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
# Expert Pointers:
01 -
- No oven required, which means you can make these in a sweltering July kitchen without breaking a single extra sweat.
- That exposed peanut butter cap on top is not just charming, it is the perfect ratio of chocolate to filling in every single bite.
02 -
- If your peanut butter filling feels too soft to roll, refrigerate the whole bowl for fifteen minutes and it will firm up beautifully.
- Warm chocolate slides right off warm dough, so keep those peanut butter balls chilled and work in small batches.
03 -
- Keep a second toothpick handy to smooth over the entry hole left by the first one, because a little extra peanut butter pressed over the spot makes it invisible.
- Wearing disposable gloves while rolling the balls keeps the dough from warming against your palms and sticking to every finger.