Homemade Crunchy Buckeyes Candy

By
Elizabeth LaBau
Sweet Book of Candy Making Elizabeth LaBau
Elizabeth LaBau
A professional pastry chef, cookbook author, and writer, Elizabeth LaBau has published more than 600 articles on baking and candy making.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 01/20/23
Crunchy buckeyes

The Spruce

Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 2 mins
Total: 22 mins
Servings: 36 servings

Crunchy buckeyes take the familiar buckeyes candy recipe and add a fun, easy twist: crisped rice cereal! These easy peanut butter balls are light and crispy, with a satisfying crunch and a thick layer of rich chocolate coating the outside. 

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Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup (2 ounces) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

  • 1 1/4 cups peanut butter, crunchy or smooth

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar

  • 1 1/2 cups crisped rice cereal, such as Rice Krispies

  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate, chopped

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for crunchy buckeyes
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  2. Place the softened butter and the peanut butter in the bowl of a large mixer and beat until soft and well-combined.

    Place peanut butter and butter in bowl
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  3. Add the vanilla and the powdered sugar, and mix until all of the sugar is incorporated.

    Add vanilla and powdered sugar
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  4. Scrape the bottom of the mixer, then add the crisped rice cereal. Either stir it in by hand or turn the mixer to low and mix until the cereal is just incorporated into the peanut butter.

    Add crisped rice cereal
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  5. Use a candy scoop or small teaspoon to form the candy into small balls and roll them between your hands to make them round.

    Form candy into balls
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  6. Place the balls on a foil-lined baking sheet and refrigerate them to firm up while you prepare the chocolate.

    Place balls on baking sheet
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  7. Place the chocolate or candy coating in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals until melted, stirring after every 30 seconds to prevent overheating.

    Place chocolate in bowl
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  8. Once the chocolate is melted and completely smooth, dip the crunchy buckeyes into the chocolate. Traditionally, buckeyes are not dipped completely, so that they retain a small circle of un-dipped candy on top that makes them resemble the buckeye nut for which they are named. If you want to achieve this look, stick a toothpick in the top of the candy, and also use a fork to support the bottom of the candy as you lower it into the chocolate, using the toothpick for added stability and support.

    Chocolate on candy
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  9. Place the dipped candies on a foil-lined baking sheet and once they are all dipped, refrigerate them to set the chocolate, for about 15 minutes.

    Place candies on baking sheet
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  10. Serve and enjoy!

Tips

  • Crunchy buckeyes can be stored for up to two weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • For best taste and texture, bring them to room temperature before serving.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
127 Calories
9g Fat
12g Carbs
3g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 36
Amount per serving
Calories 127
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g 11%
Saturated Fat 3g 16%
Cholesterol 3mg 1%
Sodium 61mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber 1g 5%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 1mg 4%
Calcium 8mg 1%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 104mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)