Peanut Butter and Chocolate Buckeye Dip Recipe

If you’ve never eaten a yummy peanut buttery buckeye, you are totally missing out. Here in western PA they are a delicacy. So if you haven’t tried on, it’s time to rectify that with this fun and playful (not to mention super yummy) buckeye inspired dip.

Now let’s get right to the good stuff…

how to make buckeye dip

INGREDIENTS:

Gather your ingredients and get ready to make this amazing dessert dip.

• 8 oz. package cream cheese-softened
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 12 oz Semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 Tsp vegetable shortening or coconut oil
• 1 tsp kosher salt

buckeye dip instructions:

Just a head up…This dip needs to be prepped at least one day ahead because it needs to be put in the freezer overnight and then again in the fridge prior to serving.

• With a hand blender, mix together peanut butter, cream cheese, and vanilla.
• Slowly mix in the powdered sugar.
• Form into a ball and cover in plastic wrap. The mixture will be very soft. Place in a standard cereal bowl and put in the freezer for 6 hours or overnight.

The next day or at least 6ish hours later…

• Place the chocolate chips and shortening into a microwave safe dish.
• Microwave on high, stirring every 15 seconds until all the chocolate is melted. Allow to cool slightly.
• Take the prepared peanut butter ball and roll it to cover the outside perimeter in chocolate (just like a buckeye). Then place on platter and sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt.
• Allow the peanut butter ball to soften by placing it in the fridge until ready to serve with graham crackers or shortbread cookies.

a few tips…

After the peanut ball is frozen, apply the chocolate as quickly as possible. Hold it by the top and bottom and roll it in the melted chocolate. Then place it in a pie plate or on a plate. If you notice that you missed a few spots, just use a spoon to fill in the gaps with some melted chocolate and smooth it over.

Learn from my mistakes. When I allowed the finished buckeye ball to sit on the counter prior to serving, the chocolate began to crack a bit because the peanut butter got too soft. Keeping it in the fridge is a much butter option. You do need to give it time to dethaw though so that you can actually eat it.

how to serve your peanut butter dip

There are lots of things that you can dip into this creamy peanut butter and chocolate dip. My favorite was a simple shortbread cookie, but my son preferred graham crackers. You can also choose chocolate wafer cookies, butter cookies, pretzels or pretzel chips, or even marshmallows if you’re all about the sweetness. Hmmm…I wonder how it would be with bananas or strawberries? You can let me know.

a twist on the original recipe

If you’re looking for the peanut chocolate flavors but don’t really care to fuss about with making it into a buckeye shape, don’t bother. Instead, just spread the peanut butter mixture in the bottom of a deep dish pie plate. Then spread a thin layer of melted chocolate on top and add a few pinches of kosher salt. *Be sure not to put the chocolate on too thick because you need to be able easily break through it with a spoon once it hardens again. Your friends and family will love it just as much.

do we have a preferred peanut butter brand?

Nope…use whatever you love. You’re going to doctor it up and make it even better. So, no need to break the bank. If you prefer natural peanut butter, just be sure to mix in the oil in top thoroughly.