Traditionally, Buckeye candy is peanut butter “fudge” that is partially dipped in chocolate so that it resembles the Ohio buckeye tree nut. And, while this no-bake candy is a tasty treat, for those with a peanut allergy, this confection is something to avoid; until now. Now, anyone can enjoy this classic treat, thanks to one ingredient swap, sunflower seed butter, for the peanut butter.
Why Sunflower Seed Butter?
For those unfamiliar with sunflower seed butter, it is a great nut-free substitute for peanut butter. Why? Because sunflower seed butter is made from sunflower seeds versus peanuts, making it is a safe and delicious alternative for those with nut allergies. It has a similar texture to peanut butter and works well for this recipe. And, like peanut butter, sunflower seed butter pairs well with chocolate.
Ingredients You’ll Need (and Why)
Sunflower Seed Butter: use creamy sunflower seed butter, like SunButter, or any other creamy nut butter alternative.
Rice Cereal: while not in a traditional buckeye recipe, using a rice cereal, like Rice Krispie Cereal, provides texture to this recipe. A generic version is fine to use, too.
Butter: aids in the creamy texture; use either salted or unsalted butter.
Powdered Sugar: helps to firm up the sunflower seed butter and adds sweetness.
Chocolate: candy coating or melting wafers are easy to use and won’t require any shortening, just read labels to ensure it is nut-free. If using chocolate chips, you may need to add shortening to smooth it out.
Helpful Baking Tools
Cookie Sheet: use a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
Measuring Cups: use measuring cups to measure out ingredients.
Mixing Bowls: use two mixing bowls, one for ingredients and one for melting chocolate.
Freezer Bag/Rolling Pin: if desired, use freezer bags and a rolling pin to crush the cereal.
Mixer: use a hand mixer or stand mixer to easily combine ingredients.
Spatula: a silicone spatula is used to fold ingredients together.
Cookie Scoop: optional, but a cookie scoop makes the candies easier to portion and keeps them all the same size.
Chocolate Dipping Tools: use dipping tools to make dipping easier; a toothpick can also be used.
Containers: use air-tight containers to store candy in the refrigerator.
Tips for Dipping Buckeye Candy
Dipping buckeyes can be the messiest part of the process, but these tips will help you achieve a smooth finish.
- Keep rolled buckeyes chilled. Only take a few balls out of the refrigerator at a time for dipping. If the rounded balls get too warm and soft, they will fall off your dipping tool into the chocolate.
- Use a toothpick. Use a toothpick or even a skewer to dip the ball into the chocolate. Submerge it about 3/4 of the way, leaving a small circle at the top exposed.
- Gently tap off chocolate. After dipping, gently tap your wrist to shake off excess chocolate. To avoid a large pool of chocolate forming at the bottom of the candy, gently wipe the bottom on the edge of your dipping bowl.
- Watch the temperature of the chocolate. If your chocolate starts to harden while dipping, pop it back in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds to bring it back to a fluid consistency.
How to Make Buckeye Candies
Since these candies are made with creamy sunflower seed butter, these are a great nut-free alternative to the classic buckeye treat. Check the recipe card for detailed instructions, including exact ingredient measurements.
Crush with a rolling pin and mix ingredients together.
Form dough into balls and place on a cookie sheet.
Refrigerate until firm, then dip into chocolate.
Get Creative
There is truly no wrong way to make (or decorate) buckeye candy. Whether you want to add a pop of color or a deeper cocoa punch, here are a few easy ways to take your treats to the next level:
- Go Dark: for a richer, more sophisticated chocolate flavor, swap out the standard coating for dark chocolate wafers or chips.
- Go Light: create a white chocolate version by using white chocolate wafers or chips for a creamy look.
- Sprinkle the Magic: adding a few sprinkles always makes your candy look (and taste) better. Add them while the chocolate is still wet so they stick to the chocolate coating.
- Once your chocolate is dry, drizzle melted chocolate over the hardened chocolate. Use white chocolate drizzled over milk or dark chocolate (or vice versa) for a “fancier” look.
- Drizzle with Style: once your base layer of chocolate has dried, drizzle a contrasting melted chocolate over the top. Use white chocolate over dark, for example, to give your buckeyes a gourmet finish.
How to Store Your Buckeye Candy
Avoid leaving buckeye candy at room temperature for more than an hour or two, as the sunflower seed butter can become quite soft. Because these candies use butter and sunflower seed butter, they hold their shape and flavor best when kept cool.
- In the Refrigerator. Store your buckeyes in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Use parchment paper to layer the buckeyes to prevent sticking.
- In the Freezer. Buckeye candy freezes beautifully. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Layer treats between parchment paper to prevent sticking. You can enjoy them frozen for a firmer snack, or let them thaw in the fridge for 20 minutes before serving.
Enjoying Buckeye Candy
Buckeye candies are a delicious allergy-friendly treat that anyone can enjoy. If you’re looking for even more nut-free no-bake recipe inspiration, be sure to check out these Candy Eggs or these S’mores Marshmallows. If you make any of these recipes be sure to leave a rating and let me know what you think.
Buckeye Candies
Ingredients
- 1 cup sunflower seed butter (or any nut-free butter you’d like)
- 1-1/2 cup rice cereal, crushed
- 1/3 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1-2 cups chocolate (candy coating or melting wafers) (may need more of less)
Instructions
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
- Put the cereal in a resealable plastic bag and crush by running a rolling pin over the cereal a couple of times.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, mix together the sunflower seed butter, the crushed cereal and softened butter.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until a thick dough forms. You may need to adjust the amount of powdered sugar slightly to achieve the right consistency. If the dough is crumbly or too thick, add a tablespoon of milk or melted butter until desired consistency is reached.
- Once the dough is firm enough to handle, use a cookie scoop and shape it into small 1-inch balls. Roll the scooped balls in your hands to make smooth, if needed.
- Place the rolled balls onto the cookie sheet that is lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Refrigerate or freeze for about 20 minutes or until firm.
- In the meantime, melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals. Stir the chocolate after each interval, until smooth and melted.
- Remove the balls from the refrigerator or freezer. Using dipping tools, a fork or toothpick, dip each ball about three-quarters of the way into the melted chocolate, carefully shaking off the excess chocolate. The top portion typically remains uncovered for the classic buckeye look.
- Place the dipped buckeyes back on the cookie sheet. Let the chocolate harden completely at room temperature or refrigerate for a faster set. When set, the chocolate coating should firm.
- Once the chocolate is fully set, carefully remove any toothpicks or skewers that you may have used when dipping.
- Store in a food-safe container in the refrigerator. Put parchment paper in between each layer of buckeyes.
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