This Buckeye Fudge Candy Recipe is a much easier version of the classic Christmas candy, Buckeyes. My 12 year old did the biggest bulk of this recipe and it was a major hit.
You will be adding this Buckeye Fudge to your Christmas Candy making list for sure.
It is like a creamy peanut butter fudge with a delicious top layer of chocolate!
A million years ago, when Ricky and I first started dating. Well, we were about 2 months in. Anyway, I didn’t feel well. So, I was at his house, lying in his waterbed while he sat on the floor wrapping my Christmas presents. His Momma had made Christmas candy and brought us each a piece. I had never seen these chocolate peanut butter balls before. Oh my word! The Buckeye candy instantly became my all-time favorite Christmas Candy!
Flash forward a few years. We were married, I had children, I had my family Christmas Candy recipes down pat. I wanted Buckeye Candy and his Momma didn’t make it! So, I called my Mother-in-Law, got her recipe, and went to town. Three attempts later, I was still making these lumpy weird things. Apparently, I am not good at coating things with chocolate. I gave up.
Until…. wait.
I could get that same classic Buckeyes deliciousness without having to coat anything? Nearly 20 years into this marriage and I now have my very own Buckeye recipe – except, this is fudge and it is phenomenal! Even better than that? It is a super easy recipe! Really, the hardest part is probably when you get to the peanut butter mixture and have to stir until smooth. My arms got a little tired, but that is because I am lazy. LOL!
Specialty Ingredients:
The following ingredients are affiliate links on Amazon because they may be a bit hard to find in your normal store. I wanted you to be able to see exactly which things we are using.
Sweetened Condensed Milk – I feel like this recipe ends up being all sugar. So, be aware, it is super rich… but oh so good.
Powdered Sugar – while the recipe only calls for 3 cups, be prepared to have more on hand. You are wanting to make an almost dough-like substance. For me, I had to do 4.5 cups to get the right thickness that I could “press” instead of just pouring out the peanut butter layer. Just make sure to add the powdered sugar a 1/2 cup at a time until the right consistency is reached.
Chocolate Chips – while this recipe calls for semi-sweet chocolate, you can change the entire thing by changing the chocolate. Try dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate for a completely different dessert.
Vanilla Extract – The chocoholic in me will never understand why vanilla gets added to chocolate, but it really does enhance the fudge layer so much!
Reminder, not all ingredients in the Buckeye Fudge Recipe are linked above, just the ones that may be a bit difficult to find or that you might be unsure of what to look for.
Must Have Resources:
When making Buckeye Fudge at home, you really need to have the following Amazon affiliate tools on hand.
You can get a cake pedestal like the one pictured from Etsy. Here is my affiliate link to the Cake Stand.
Best Fudge Recipes:
Once you make this Buckeye Fudge Recipe, the kids are going to love it so much that they are going to start asking for even more fudge recipes. Don’t fret! I have picked out the best homemade fudge recipes for you to try. 🙂
This Slow Cooker Fudge from Rainy Day Mum is going to be a game changer for your Christmas Candy making day!
You are going to love this Fudge Pie recipe from Simply Stacie!
I love this Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce from Crystal and Comp
More Peanut Butter and Chocolate Recipes:
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Fudge and Peanut Butter Poke Cake from Crystal and Comp
Homemade Peanut Butter Cups from Ruffles and Rain Boots
No Bake Peanut Butter & Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
Buckeye Fudge Recipe
Delicious, sweetened peanut butter layered with semi-sweet chocolate create a rich dessert that tastes like Buckeyes without the mess, double boiler, or dipping!
Ingredients
PEANUT BUTTER LAYER INGREDIENTS
- 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup butter or margarine, 2 sticks
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, have more on hand, just in case
CHOCOLATE FUDGE LAYER INGREDIENTS
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 11 oz bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 2 T butter or margarine
Instructions
PEANUT BUTTER LAYER DIRECTIONS
- Line a 9 x 13 pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium microwave safe bowl, add the peanut butter, 2 sticks of butter, powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Microwave on HIGH in 35 second intervals, stirring after each interval, until completely melted and smooth. Remove from microwave.
- Scoop the melted peanut butter mixture into the parchment lined pan. Press it out evenly with the back of a spoon or your fingers.
CHOCOLATE FUDGE LAYER DIRECTIONS
- Add the chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and 2 tablespoons of butter to a medium microwave safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH in 35 second intervals, stirring after each interval, until completely melted and smooth. Remove from microwave.
- Scoop the melted chocolate on top of the peanut butter layer and spread out evenly with a spatula.
- Chill for 4 hours to allow the fudge to set.
- Cut into squares before serving and ENJOY!!
Notes
NOTE: To keep your buckeye fudge the freshest, cover with wax paper, foil or plastic wrap and store in a cool, dry place. I prefer to store mine in the refrigerator but you can keep it at room temperature, also. In addition, this fudge freezes really well (for up to 3 months).
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 30 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 259 Total Fat: 17g Saturated Fat: 8g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 8g Cholesterol: 21mg Sodium: 126mg Carbohydrates: 26g Fiber: 1g Sugar: 23g Protein: 4g
Kippi says
Yum, I love those buckeye balls, but rolling and dipping them can take awhile so this recipe I have to try. Thank you for sharing it. Happy New New, Kippi
Kippi says
Yum, I just pinned this great looking recipe. Happy New Year, Kippi
Rita says
Buckeye candy is a Ohio favorite!
Liz says
And I gave up sugar for January…what bad timing! Thank you so much for bringing them to FF.
frugal hausfrau says
This caught my eye right away at Fiesta Friday! Can buckeyes get any better? Well now they can! Happy New Year’s and Happy Fiesta Friday! Thanks for sharing with us!
Mollie
angie says
I love buckeyes as well and this recipe sounds super yummy I think I will give your fudge recipe a try as well thanks for sharing
Miz Helen says
Your Buckeye Fudge Recipe looks fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing your special talent with us at Full Plate Thursday and may you have a safe & prosperous new year!
Kristie says
The fudge looks good. I know what you mean about those labor-intensive recipes! I found an easy Texas Sheetcake recipe to stand it for my husband’s grandmother’s Texas Sheetcake recipe. If you ever want to follow a no-fail recipe for buckeyes, try Paula Deen’s. It turns out GREAT!