Peanut butter buckeyes are a sweet peanut butter confection that's partially dipped in chocolate candy coating. They're the perfect treat for holiday dessert trays and easy to make ahead of time!
In a bowl, add peanut butter, butter, and vanilla. Stir until combined and creamy. Add salt and 1 cup of confectioner's sugar at a time until all 3 cups are combined. Mixture will be very thick, like a dough.
Roll dough into one-inch balls and place onto a wax paper lined baking sheet. Transfer baking sheet to refrigerator and allow to chill for 30 minutes (or into the freezer for 15 minutes).
In a small microwave safe bowl, heat melting wafers in 30 second increments, stirring each time, until wafers are melted and smooth.
Remove a portion of your peanut butter balls from the refrigerator. Pierce the center of each peanut butter ball with a toothpick, going about halfway though. Dip the ball about ⅔ of the way into the chocolate, leaving a circle of peanut butter exposed on the top. Lift out of chocolate and gently shake off excess chocolate. Place back onto the cold baking sheet. Repeat until all balls are coated.
Allow to harden on the counter top for 30 minutes, or in the refrigerator for 10 minutes. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
You'll have the best success when your peanut butter balls are cold and your chocolate is hot and melted. If your peanut butter balls begin to warm up before being dipped, place back in the refrigerator for a few minutes. If your chocolate begins to cool, microwave for 10 seconds and stir.
Buckeyes will keep for about 1 month in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container, or in the freezer for about 3 months. Keep in mind that when chocolate is frozen and thawed it may produce bloom (white streaks on the outside that are perfectly edible). Keep this in mind if you're making these for an important event.
Peanut butter can be substituted with any nut or seed butter in equal amounts.