Buckeye Peanut Butter Cookies (Print Version)

No-bake peanut butter balls partially dipped in chocolate, inspired by Ohio's iconic buckeye nut.

# What You Need:

→ Peanut Butter Filling

01 - 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
02 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
03 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
04 - 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
05 - 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

→ Chocolate Coating

06 - 10 oz semisweet or dark chocolate chips
07 - 1 tbsp coconut oil or vegetable shortening (optional, for smoothness)

# Directions:

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.

# Insider Tips:

01 -
  • No oven required, which means you can make these in a summer kitchen without breaking a sweat.
  • The peanut butter filling stays soft and pillowy while the chocolate shell snaps when you bite into it.
  • They freeze beautifully, so you can stash a batch and forget about them until a craving hits at midnight.
02 -
  • If the dough feels too sticky to roll, chill it for ten minutes before shaping and keep a damp paper towel nearby for your hands.
  • Do not skip the coconut oil if your chocolate is on the thick side, because thin chocolate means a cleaner dip and fewer bald spots.
03 -
  • Test dip one ball first to check the chocolate consistency before committing the whole batch.
  • Wipe the toothpick clean between every few dips to avoid dragging peanut butter streaks into your chocolate.

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