Made with creamy peanut butter, chocolate chips, and love, these Buckeye Bars are perfect for gift-giving, get-togethers, or just as a snack.
What’s in this Buckeye Bars Recipe?
Made with creamy peanut butter, decadent chocolate chips, and powdered sugar, this recipe is sure to make your taste buds smile. Plus, it’s packed with protein.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the bars and helps to bind the ingredients together.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Adds that distinctive peanut butter flavor and creamy texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the sweetness of the bars.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the filling and thickens it up to a fudgelike consistency.
- Chocolate Chips: These are melted and used to coat the peanut butter filling. They provide a rich, chocolatey layer that complements the sweetness of the filling.
- Coconut Oil: Although optional, I like to add coconut oil to the chocolate chips to help it set smooth.
Pro Tip: You can use any chocolate chips including dark chocolate chips. Dark chocolate is a healthier alternative.
Variations on Buckeye Fudge
You can switch up the flavor and texture of these buckeye bars by swapping out the creamy peanut butter for chunky peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter.
Try using white chocolate for the topping for a sweeter bar, and top with chopped nuts for extra crunch!
It’s called a buckeye because it resembles the nut from the buckeye tree found in Ohio. The candy and the nut even have similar colors and appearances! This version takes those classic buckeye candy flavors and makes them into a simple bar!
Absolutely! Keep in mind that you will need to double all of the ingredients and you will need a second 8×8-inch baking dish or 1 9×13-inch dish.
If your bars are soft and droopy, it may be because your butter was too soft. Simply refrigerate the bars for longer, or pop them into the freezer to firm up.
Because these bars are made with soft ingredients that melt, you will want to store them in the refrigerator. Be sure to put them in an airtight container.
These bars can sweat in the refrigerator from condensation. To prevent this, cover the bars tightly with plastic wrap.
How to Store
Store leftover buckeye bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Enjoy chilled or at room temperature.
How to Freeze
Freeze buckeye bars tightly wrapped in 2 layers of plastic wrap and 1 layer of aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
Serving Suggestions
These bars are the perfect mid-day pick-me-up or after-dinner treat. Serve them alongside other yummy snacks, like caramel corn, chocolate peanut butter chex mix, rice krispie treats, or chocolate covered Oreos.
Peanut Butter Buckeye Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter 113 grams, room temperature (1 stick)
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter 270 grams
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
- 2½ cups powdered sugar 283 grams
- 2 cups chocolate chips 340 grams
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil 28 grams, optional
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
Instructions
- Line a square 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
- To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and peanut butter together on medium speed until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.½ cup unsalted butter, 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- With the mixer on low speed, add the vanilla extract, then slowly add the powdered sugar.1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 2½ cups powdered sugar
- Once all of the powdered sugar has been added, allow the mixer to run on low speed until the mixture all comes together in a ball.
- Transfer the peanut butter mixture to the prepared baking pan and pack it down, making sure to press it all the way to the edges. Set aside.
- Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a small, microwave-safe bowl and microwave until melted.2 cups chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- Pour the chocolate mixture over the peanut butter layer and use a spoon or offset spatula to push the chocolate into an even layer.
- Transfer the bars to the fridge and allow them to sit until the chocolate has fully hardened, about 2 hours.
- Slice the bars and top with flakey sea salt, if desired.
Notes
- You can use any chocolate chips including dark chocolate chips. Dark chocolate is a healthier alternative.
- Coconut oil is optional, but I would recommend using it. It helps keep the chocolate the right consistency and shine.
- If you want to eat your desserts quicker, you can plop them in the freezer for half the chilling time.
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