Ohio Buckeyes

Buckeyes are Ohio’s favorite homemade candy — creamy peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate, with a circle of peanut butter left visible at the top so they look exactly like the nut of the state’s official tree, the buckeye. They are the candy of Ohio State football tailgates, Christmas cookie plates, and church bazaars, and they are dangerously easy to eat by the handful.

Why this recipe works: The filling is a simple, no-cook mixture of peanut butter, softened butter, and powdered sugar, rolled into balls and chilled until firm. The chocolate coating is the fun part: each ball is dipped about three-quarters of the way in melted chocolate, leaving the top exposed — that bare circle is the buckeye’s ‘eye,’ and it also happens to be the perfect bite of pure peanut butter.

Key ingredients

• Creamy peanut butter: the base — classic Jif-style works best for the right texture.
• Softened butter: the creaminess.
• Powdered sugar: the sweetness and structure.
• Chocolate: semi-sweet or milk, melted for dipping.
• A pinch of salt and vanilla: balance.

Tips for perfect buckeyes

Chill the peanut butter balls until they are completely firm — at least 1 hour, or up to a few hours — or they will fall off the toothpick into the chocolate. Dip using a toothpick: stick it in the top of the ball, dip three-quarters of the way, and let the excess drip off. To smooth the toothpick hole, give the top a quick swirl with your finger while the chocolate is still wet, or dip a finger in chocolate to fill it. Let them set on parchment in the fridge.

Variations and storage

Use crunchy peanut butter for texture, add a spoonful of rice krispies for crunch, or dip in white or dark chocolate. Buckeyes keep 2 weeks in the fridge in an airtight container and freeze beautifully for 3 months — they are a make-ahead holiday candy through and through.

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