Buckeye Bars
Try these Buckeye Bars for a quick and delicious dessert that combines the classic Buckeye flavors in an easy-to-make treat.
Looking for more peanut butter and chocolate desserts? Try my Crunchy Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffles or my Reese's Peanut Butter Nutella Cups.
Recipe Summary: Buckeye Bars
- ✅ Recipe Name: Buckeye Bars
- 🕒 Ready In: 40 minutes
- 👪 Serves: 28
- 🍽 Calories: 276 per serving
- 🥣 Main Ingredients: Peanut butter, chocolate, powdered sugar, butter
- 📖 Dietary Info: Meal prep friendly, kid-friendly, vegetarian, gluten free
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: No baking required! This quick, 6-ingredient dessert is a crowd pleaser, making it perfect for game days or holidays.
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
Jump to:
I don't know what it is, but I have been extremely obsessed with making peanut butter Buckeyes lately. I have been making Buckeye balls, Buckeye brownies, Buckeye cookies... and now these no bake bars.
These Buckeye Bars are the perfect peanut butter dessert for game day. Or really whenever your next peanut butter craving hits. I love making these simple bars because it is such an easy recipe, and it is ready in no time. They do not last long in my house, so you can bet that I am going to be making more of these bars in the next couple of days! This might just be my next go-to recipe for the winter holidays.
What are Buckeyes?
The classic Buckeye Candies are chocolate peanut butter balls that resemble the nuts growing out of the Buckeye Tree. These are particularly popular in Ohio, as the Buckeye tree is Ohio's state tree.
Key Ingredients
Peanut butter layer:
- Salted butter: To help cream together the peanut butter and vanilla extract, creating a smooth base.
- Smooth peanut butter: Make sure you are not using natural peanut butter, as it will make this layer too oily and the bars won't hold their shape.
- Vanilla extract: To enhance the rest of the flavors.
- Powdered sugar: This holds all of the ingredients together and gives it a more solid form.
Chocolate layer:
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Essential for the chocolate layer. Can be replaced with any flavor of chocolate chips that you like.
- Coconut oil: When microwaving the chocolate chips to melt them, this ensures the chocolate doesn't burn. If using the double boiler method, you can omit this.
How To Make Buckeye Bars
Step 1: In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, peanut butter and vanilla. Mix in the powdered sugar until fully combined.
Step 2: Press the mixture into a parchment paper lined 9x13 inch baking pan. In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate and coconut oil, mixing until smooth. Pour over the peanut butter layer and allow to cool.
Buckeye Bars Expert Tips
Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container. You can keep them at room temperature for up to 2 days, or store them in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Add different toppings for your next special occasion. Based on the next holiday, you can top these bars with festive sprinkles that match the upcoming day. I love using Christmas sprinkles, or swapping the chocolate mixture for white chocolate and topping it with Valentines Day sprinkles.
Use a different spread. For more of a crunch, use crunchy peanut butter. Or experiment with different nut butters, such as cashew or almond butter. I would however not suggest you use natural peanut butter, as it would make the peanut butter mixture too soft and not hold its shape.
Avoid cracking the layer of chocolate. Before letting the chocolate harden, use a sharp knife to create scores along the chocolate for where you want to cut it. Then when the chocolate has hardened, cut along those lines.
More No Bake Recipes To Try
And if you make this recipe, let me know how you liked it! Give it a star rating, leave a comment and tag me with #atasteofmadness on Instagram! I always love seeing what you are creating!
Buckeye Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter
- 1 ½ cups smooth peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Add in the powdered sugar, and mix until fully combined.
- Spread the mixture evenly over the prepared baking pan, pressing down with a silicone spatula. Place in the fridge.
- In a microwave safe bowl, microwave the chocolate chips and coconut oil in 30 second intervals, mixing until smooth.
- Pour the melted chocolate overtop the peanut butter mixture and smooth with a spatula. Return to the fridge until the chocolate has hardened. Cut into bars.
Notes
- Storage: Store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
- Freezing: These bars freeze very well. Place them in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge or at room temperature.
- To prevent the chocolate from cracking, allow the bars to sit for around 10-15 minutes at room temperature. Run a sharp knife under hot water then wipe dry before cutting.
- Do not use natural peanut butter! This will cause the mixture to be more liquid, which will prevent the bars from holding their shape.
It is such an easy alternative to classic Buckeyes! I always make them over the holidays.