Where does the dessert Buckeyes come from?

The buckeye candy originated in Ohio (a.k.a. the Buckeye State) . According to legend, sometime in the 1960s, Ohio resident Gail Tabor invented buckeyes while trying to dip peanut butter balls in chocolate.

Are Clif nut butter bars gluten free?

Clif Bar Nut Butter Filled Bars may be at risk for containing gluten . While there are no specific gluten-containing ingredients, there are mild concerns of gluten cross-contamination with the ingredients or in the processing and manufacturing of this product. See our 7 point gluten-free analysis below for more details.

Did Native Americans eat buckeyes?

Many indigenous groups utilized buckeye seeds for food , often when other plant food sources were scarce. These tribes included the Costanoan, Salinan, Kitanemuk, Serrano, Wappo, Sierra Miwok, Coast Miwok, Chumash, Kawaiisu, Northern Maidu among others.

Can you eat buckeyes from a buckeye tree?

Poisonous Plant: All parts of the plant (leaves, bark, fruit) are highly toxic if ingested – because of the glycoside aesculin, the saponin aescin, and possibly alkaloids. Symptoms are muscle weakness and paralysis, dilated pupils, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, paralysis, and stupor.

Are peanut butter Clif Bars good for you?

CLIF BARs have a relatively high carbohydrate and added sugar content compared to other snacks . They may exceed the daily nutrition targets of people who do not exercise regularly, which could lead to weight gain if eaten regularly. Some people may choose to eat CLIF BARs as a regular snack or dessert.

Are Snickers gluten-free?

Almost all types of Snickers are considered gluten-free , as they do not contain gluten ingredients and are not processed on equipment that processes gluten-containing ingredients. The only exception is Snickers Hi Protein bars and Snickers ice cream, which are not gluten-free.

Are peanut butter Cliff bars vegan?

All of our products can fit within a plant-based diet and are made with predominantly plant-based ingredients . In fact, most of our foods contain no intentionally added animal-based ingredients.

What is the story behind buckeye?

Ohio is known as the Buckeye State because buckeye trees were prevalent in the area when the territory was settled in the late 18th century . The buckeye gets its name from its distinctive nutlike seed that, when dried, appears a rich, dark brown color with a single lighter brown spot that resembles the eye of a deer.

Are buckeyes an Ohio thing?

The term buckeye has widely been used to describe residents of Ohio in general since the mid 1800s .

Who invented the buckeye candy?

The birth of the buckeye Cook tells the story in her book of Gail Tabor, whose mother brought some chocolate-covered — fully covered, mind you — peanut butter balls over for Christmas in 1964.

How did Ohio State get the name buckeyes?

Another commonly accepted explanation is that the nickname refers to the large number of buckeye trees native to Ohio. However, all accounts generally agree that the name of the buckeye originated from its close resemblance to the eye of the buck deer .

No-Bake Peanut Butter Buckeye Bars (2024)

Published: Dec 15, 2021 · Modified: Dec 23, 2023 by Erin · This post may contain affiliate links · 16 Comments

Jump to Recipe

It takes just 5 simple ingredients to make these No-Bake Peanut Butter Buckeye Bars! They are rich, creamy, and delectable, and you don't even need an oven!

Jump to:

Why You Will Love This Recipe
Key Ingredients
How to Make Buckeye Bars
Expert Tips
Buckeye Bar Variations
Recipe FAQs
More Tasty Treat Recipes
Recipe
Reviews

Buckeye Balls are a famous treat from Ohio! Little balls of sweet peanut butter are dipped in chocolate. They look like the nut from Ohio's state tree, the Buckeye tree!

These chocolate peanut butter balls were a personal favorite of mine because I am a huge chocolate peanut butter lover! The trouble is that they are a pain to make!

Good news! This easy Buckeye Bars recipe takes such little effort, it will become a favorite for all chocolate peanut butter fans! They are even easier than my super simple peanut butter no-bake cheesecake!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Easy - You get the same great flavor of buckeye balls without having to spend time individually rolling each treat. It is so much less work and you end up with the same delicious treats!
Chocolate and Peanut Butter - They are like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups but in bar form! Kind of like the Christmas tree Reese's that have a high peanut butter to chocolate ratio! Another of my favorite chocolate peanut butter candies is peanut butter whiskey fudge!
Make Ahead - Buckeye bars will last in the refrigerator for up to a month and can also be frozen!
Great for Gifting - These bars can be cut into triangles or small squares to make more than a hundred candy-sized servings! They are a perfect addition to holiday candy boxes, and are also a hit at large gatherings!

Here are some more no-bake desserts that you will love!
Oreo Balls
Chocolate Chip Rice Krispie Treats
Smores Rice Krispie Treats
Dirt and Worms

Key Ingredients

Looking for the full recipe? The recipe card at the bottom of this post includes the complete list of ingredients, measurements, and instructions.

Peanut Butter - Use regular creamy peanut butter like Jif or Peter Pan. If you use natural or homemade peanut butter then the peanut butter layer will not be as creamy.

Butter - Salted or unsalted butter both work equally well in this recipe. Make sure that the butter has been softened to room temperature so that it blends well with the peanut butter and sugar.

Powdered Sugar - Also called confectioners' sugar, powdered sugar sweetens the bars and also provides structure to the peanut butter layer. Some like to replace ½ cup of the powdered sugar with brown sugar, which adds a hint of molasses flavor.

Vanilla Extract - Adds depth of flavor and makes these bars taste like you really worked hard to make them!

Chocolate - High-quality chocolate will make the best bars. I like Guittard or Ghiradelli chocolate chips. You can also use semi-sweet baking bars. Substitute dark chocolate for semi-sweet chocolate if you prefer.

How to Make Buckeye Bars

1) Make the Peanut Butter Layer

Combine peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl and beat until smooth.
This can be done with a hand mixer but it's a very thick dough so I prefer a stand mixer.

2) Press Into Pan

Line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment paper. You could also use wax paper or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Make sure the sheet is large enough that you can grab it to remove the bars from the pan.
Press the peanut butter mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan with your hands.

3) Make the Chocolate Mixture

Melt chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon of butter in a microwaveable bowl by microwaving for about a minute and a half. Stir the chocolate about every 30 seconds.
Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer.
Use a beveled spatula to spread evenly.

4) Set the Bars

Let the bars sit on the counter for 45 minutes to an hour to set. You can also place them in the refrigerator to set faster, but make sure you cut them before the chocolate hardens.
Remove the bars from the refrigerator and lift up on the parchment paper to remove the bars from the pan.
Place them on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to slice them into squares. Wipe the knife off after each cut for clean lines. For triangles, cut each square across diagonally.

Expert Tips

How to Avoid Cracks - Cut the bars once the chocolate has thickened but is not fully set. At room temperature, this takes about 45-60 minutes. If you place them in the refrigerator, cut them after 15-20 minutes.
For the Best Texture - Be sure to use regular creamy peanut butter instead of natural or homemade. The added oil and emulsifiers help create a smooth, creamy peanut butter layer.
Use Quality Chocolate - High-quality chips, like Guittard or Ghiradelli, melt the smoothest. You can also use Ghiradelli melting wafers.

Buckeye Bar Variations

Thick Chocolate Layer - I prefer a thick layer of peanut butter with a thin layer of chocolate, but if you would like a thicker layer of chocolate then you can double the amount of chocolate used.
Sweetened Condensed Milk - For a fudgy chocolate layer, add a 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk to the chocolate chips before microwaving.
Rice Krispies - Turn these into crispy buckeye bars by adding 4 cups of Rice Krispies to the peanut butter mixture.
Graham Crackers - Adding graham crackers makes these a little more like cookie bars versus candy. Mix 1 ½ cups of fine graham cracker crumbs into the peanut butter mixture.

Recipe FAQs

How do I store Buckeye Bars?

Refrigerate your Buckeye Bars in an airtight container and they will keep for up to a month!

Can you freeze Buckeye Bars?

Yes, Buckeye Bars freeze great! Place the cut bars in a single layer on parchment paper and freeze for one hour. Remove from the parchment and transfer to an airtight storage container or freezer bag. They will keep for up to 4 months. Thaw for 24 hours in the refrigerator before serving.

Are Buckeye Bars gluten-free?

Most Buckeye Bars are naturally gluten-free. However, some powdered sugar brands include a starch ingredient that has gluten. If you are sensitive to gluten then it is important to always check your labels.

Why did my chocolate layer crack?

If you try to cut the bars after the chocolate has fully set then it will crack instead of giving you straight lines. For best results let them set at room temperature for about 45 minutes before slicing, then refrigerate for an hour or until ready to serve.

More Tasty Treat Recipes

Chocolate Chip Rice Krispie Treats
Brown Butter Toffeedoodle Cookie Recipe (Starbucks Copycat)
Marshmallow Chocolate Chip Cookies
Maine Whoopie Pies Recipe

Let me know how you like this recipe by leaving a review! And follow along on Instagram @stateofdinner for behind-the-scenes and to be among the first to know when new recipes post!

Recipe

No Bake Peanut Butter Buckeye Bars

Recipe by: Erin

It takes just 5 ingredients to make these No-Bake Peanut Butter Buckeye Bars! They are rich and delectable twist on the traditional Buckey Balls, and are so much easier to make!

5 from 145 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Setting Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course Candy, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 26 large squares

Calories 257 kcal

Ingredients

Peanut Butter Layer

▢ ½ cup (113 grams) butter, softened and divided
▢ 2 cups (480 grams) creamy peanut butter
▢ 3 ½ cups (420 grams) powdered confectioners sugar
▢ 1 ½ teaspoons (7 ml) vanilla extract

Chocolate Layer

▢ 2 cups (360 grams) chocolate chips or chunks 12 ounces
▢ 1 tablespoon (14 g) butter

Instructions

Place ½ cup of butter, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Beat using an electric mixer until smooth. The dough will be very thick and a little crumbly.
½ cup butter, softened and divided, 2 cups creamy peanut butter, 3 ½ cups powdered confectioners sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment paper. Transfer the peanut butter dough into the pan. Press the dough firmly into the dish.
Add chocolate chips and the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between intervals, until smooth (about a minute and a half total).
2 cups chocolate chips or chunks, 1 tablespoon butter
Pour the melted chocolate over the top of the bars and spread evenly. Let sit at room temperature until the chocolate has set, 30-60 minutes. Carefully remove the bars from the pan by pulling up on the excess parchment paper, and transfer to a cutting board. Slice with a sharp knife.
Place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until ready to serve.

Video

Notes

Storage:Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
Freeze in individual portions for up to 4 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours before serving.

Cutting:For best results, let the bars set for 30-60 minutes before cutting. Do not allow the chocolate to fully set before you cut it, or it will crack.

Nutrition

The nutritional facts provided are only estimates. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Share a photo of your creation with your friends!Mention @stateofdinner or tag #stateofdinner!

Reader Interactions

Comments

Mel
April 10, 2024 at 12:46 pm

State of Dinner has the best recipes!
Reply
- Erin
  April 10, 2024 at 12:49 pm
  Aww, you made my day! Thank you!
  Reply
Joyce
December 10, 2023 at 5:07 pm

Just finished making this recipe. It is spot on. I tried a different recipe for this dessert that called for melted butter. Wound up with peanut butter and graham cracker soup! This recipe prepared easily and is delicious! Will continue to make your recipes.
Reply
- Erin
  December 11, 2023 at 9:09 am
  Thanks, Joyce! So glad this recipe worked better for you. Enjoy!
  Reply
Lynne
November 25, 2023 at 11:20 am
I did use butter. I was thinking the same thing about the sugar and I do scoop and level. I gave them to my son-in-law who wolfed them. 😜
Reply
Lynne
November 10, 2023 at 2:20 pm
I plan on making these for our cookie exchange this year. When you freeze them after you cut them up, what have you found to work the best to wrap them in?
Reply
- Erin
  November 10, 2023 at 2:55 pm
  You can wrap them in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, store them in a resealable freezer bag, or put them in a Tupperware-type container. If you stack them then you'll want to put a layer of parchment paper between the stacks. But as long as you par-freeze them first, any airtight container will work. Enjoy!
  Reply
  - Lynne
    November 13, 2023 at 10:05 am
    Thank you for responding! I appreciate the information.
  - Lynne
    November 21, 2023 at 2:31 pm
    I made them today to go in the freezer for the cookie party. I bake ALL the time and I guess I need to stick with baking vs. no bake. 🤣. The peanut butter bottom didn’t set (can hardly pick them up and of course, I left in the refrigerator too long and the chocolate cracked (as you said it would). It was a brand new jar of Peter Pan peanut butter. Any ideas on why peanut butter bottom didn’t set? I’m still going to freeze and eat them over time, but totally not presentable.
  - Erin
    November 21, 2023 at 2:55 pm
    Hi Lynne! I'm sorry you had that experience! Did you use butter or margarine? I have not tested the recipe with margarine and am not sure it would set properly. The only other thing I can think is perhaps there wasn't enough powdered sugar. I recommend weighing or using the scoop and level method.
Patricia Vestal
August 02, 2023 at 10:38 am

I used the sweetened condensed milk in the chocolate and,OMG!! They're so good they should be illegal!!
Reply
- Erin
  August 03, 2023 at 9:00 am
  That's awesome, glad they were a hit!
  Reply
Crystal Montes
April 21, 2022 at 6:49 am

This was my first time making these. I added graham crackers to the peanut butter mixture and they were delicious!!! I will be making them again for sure.
Reply
- Erin
  April 21, 2022 at 8:13 pm
  Thank you for sharing, Crystal! I am so glad that you enjoyed these bars!
  Reply
Monika
December 18, 2021 at 3:19 pm
I was hoping to get some clarification as to the amount of peanut butter. You wrote: "2 cups creamy peanut butter (350 grams)"; however 2 cups of peanut butter weighs 480 grams (given that 1T is 15 grams). Given this discrepancy, should we use an actual two cups (480 grams) or 350 grams? Thank you.
Reply
- Erin
  December 18, 2021 at 4:50 pm
  Hi Monika! I am so grateful that you asked this question! The 350 grams was an error, as I was transferring my recipe notes into this recipe card!
  Reply