Buckeyes are peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate with a circle left bare, so they look like the nut of Ohio's state tree, and Ohio State fans have made them for game day for generations. No oven, no grill, nothing to light, so they work in any lot at Ohio Stadium, including the garages where grills aren't allowed. The only thing that can go wrong is the sun.
At the lot: They ride in a sealed container on top of the ice and come out a small platter at a time. Homegating: Keep them in the fridge and put them out at kickoff, with a "Contains peanuts" card on the plate.
Home gear: a stand or hand mixer, 2 sheet pans, parchment paper, toothpicks and a small, deep microwave-safe bowl
2 HRS
At home, mostly chilling
5 MIN
At the lot
20
Serves
Ingredients
Peanut butter centers
- 1½ cups creamy peanut butter (not natural style)
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 4 cups powdered sugar, plus up to ½ cup more if the dough is sticky
Chocolate coat
- 16 oz semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- 1 tbsp vegetable shortening or coconut oil
Steps
At home
- Beat the peanut butter, butter, vanilla and salt until smooth. Beat in the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time until the dough holds together and doesn't stick to your hands. Add a little more sugar if it does.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, about 2 tsp each, and set them on parchment-lined sheet pans. You should get about 60. Push a toothpick into the top of each one.
- Freeze the pans for 30 minutes, until the balls are firm. Cold centers keep their shape in the warm chocolate.
- Microwave the chocolate and shortening in 30-second bursts, stirring after each, until smooth, about 1½ to 2 minutes total. Don't rush it: overheated chocolate turns thick and grainy.
- Hold each ball by its toothpick and dip it into the chocolate, leaving a circle of peanut butter bare on top. Let the extra drip off, set it back on the parchment and pull out the toothpick. Smooth the hole with a fingertip.
- Chill the pans for 20 minutes, until the chocolate is set. Pack them in a lidded container with parchment between the layers. They keep in the fridge for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
At the lot
- Keep the container in the cooler and put out a platter at a time in the shade. Refill from the cooler as it empties, so the chocolate stays firm.
Pack for the lot
Lot notes
- Peanut allergy: buckeyes are mostly peanut butter. Tell your crew, label the platter "Contains peanuts," and keep them away from other food and serving utensils. For a peanut-free batch, sunflower seed butter works in the same amounts, but make it with clean bowls and tools and label it too. If anyone has a severe allergy, ask them before you bring either version.
Can you make buckeyes ahead?
Yes, and you should. They keep in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 2 months, so make them any night before the game.
How do you keep buckeyes cold at a tailgate?
Pack them in a sealed container on top of the ice in the cooler, not down in the meltwater, and put out a small platter at a time in the shade. The chocolate softens fast in the sun. Here's how to pack a cooler so they stay firm.
How much do you need for 20 people?
One batch: about 60 buckeyes is 3 apiece for 20 people. If they're the only dessert, make 1½ batches (about 90) with 2¼ cups peanut butter, 12 tbsp butter, 6 cups powdered sugar and 24 oz chocolate.
Why are they called buckeyes?
The dark chocolate and pale circle on top look like the nut of the buckeye tree, Ohio's state tree and the name of Ohio State's teams.
More sides & sweetsMore from the Ohio State guide
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