These aren’t your grandma’s buckeyes (though Grandma would *love* them!). We’re taking the classic peanut butter ball and elevating it with a luscious swirl of homemade caramel, then enrobing the whole thing in rich dark chocolate. These no-bake treats are perfect for holiday gifting, a special occasion, or simply satisfying a serious sweet tooth. The combination of salty, sweet, and chocolatey is utterly irresistible, and the beautiful caramel swirl adds a touch of elegance. Get ready to make a batch of these Caramel Swirled Peanut Butter Buckeyes – they’ll disappear fast!
You’ll Need These Ingredients:
- 115 g (½ cup) Smooth Unsweetened Peanut Butter: This forms the creamy, nutty base of our buckeyes. Be sure to use a smooth peanut butter for the best texture. Natural peanut butter works great, but you may need to stir it well before measuring.
- 120 g (1 cup) Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this sweetens the peanut butter mixture and helps it hold its shape. Sifting the powdered sugar before adding it will prevent lumps.
- 30 g (2 Tbsp) Unsalted Butter, Melted: Melted butter adds richness and helps bind the peanut butter and powdered sugar together, creating a smooth and pliable dough.
- 1 tsp (5 ml) Alcohol‑free Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla enhances the peanut butter flavor and adds a warm, aromatic note. Ensure it’s alcohol-free if you prefer.
- 50 g (¼ cup) Light Brown Sugar: This is the foundation of our homemade caramel. Light brown sugar provides a delicate molasses flavor that complements the peanut butter beautifully.
- 60 ml (¼ cup) Heavy Cream: Heavy cream is essential for creating a smooth and creamy caramel sauce. It provides the necessary moisture and richness.
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) Fine Sea Salt: Salt is crucial for balancing the sweetness of the caramel and enhancing all the flavors. Fine sea salt dissolves easily and distributes evenly.
- 200 g (7 oz) Dark Chocolate (70 % Cocoa), Chopped: High-quality dark chocolate provides a beautiful contrast to the sweet peanut butter and caramel. 70% cocoa offers a rich, intense chocolate flavor.
- 15 ml (1 Tbsp) Neutral Oil (e.g., Coconut Oil): Adding a tablespoon of neutral oil to the melted chocolate creates a smoother, more fluid coating that’s easier to work with. Coconut oil is a great choice as it doesn’t impart any noticeable flavor.
- ¼ tsp (1 g) Flaky Sea Salt: A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the chocolate coating adds a delightful textural contrast and enhances the sweet and salty flavors.
Ingredient Substitutions
While we recommend these ingredients for the best results, here are a few substitutions you can make:
- Peanut Butter: You can use crunchy peanut butter for added texture, but the dough will be slightly more difficult to work with.
- Dark Chocolate: Milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate can be used instead of dark chocolate, but the flavor profile will be different.
- Heavy Cream: In a pinch, you can substitute with half-and-half, but the caramel won’t be as rich or thick.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Caramel Swirled Peanut Butter Buckeyes
- Make the Caramel: In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the light brown sugar, heavy cream, and ¼ teaspoon of fine sea salt. Using a whisk, stir constantly over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil – you’ll see small bubbles forming around the edges. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes, continuing to stir. This simmering process is crucial; it allows the sugar to dissolve completely and the mixture to thicken into a glossy caramel. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the caramel cool completely to room temperature. It will thicken further as it cools.
- Prepare the Peanut Butter Mixture: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the melted butter, smooth peanut butter, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar. Using a whisk or an electric mixer on low speed, beat the ingredients together until a smooth and glossy dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the dough tough. The consistency should be firm enough to hold its shape but still pliable.
- Form and Fill the Buckeyes: Using a small cookie scoop or a spoon, portion out approximately 30 grams (about 1 ounce) of the peanut butter mixture. Roll each portion into a ball using your hands. Flatten each ball slightly in the palm of your hand. Drizzle a thin line of the cooled caramel down the center of the flattened ball. Gently fold the peanut butter dough over the caramel, encasing it completely. Roll the ball gently between your palms to seal the edges and create a subtle caramel swirl inside. Avoid squeezing too hard, as you want to maintain the swirl effect.
- Chill the Filled Buckeyes: Place the filled buckeyes onto a tray lined with parchment paper. This prevents them from sticking. Refrigerate the tray for at least 20 minutes. Chilling firms up the peanut butter mixture, making them easier to dip in chocolate without falling apart.
- Melt the Chocolate: Place the chopped dark chocolate and neutral oil (coconut oil works wonderfully) in a heat-proof bowl. The oil helps to create a smooth and glossy chocolate coating. Melt the chocolate using one of two methods: a double boiler (place the bowl over a pot of simmering water, ensuring the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water) or in the microwave (heat in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until melted and smooth). Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and has a smooth, glossy consistency.
- Dip and Coat the Buckeyes: Remove the chilled buckeyes from the refrigerator. Using a fork, carefully dip each buckeye into the melted chocolate, ensuring it’s fully coated. Lift the buckeye out of the chocolate and gently tap the fork against the side of the bowl to allow any excess chocolate to drip off. Return the coated buckeye to the parchment-lined tray.
- Garnish and Set: Immediately sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of each coated buckeye while the chocolate is still wet. The salt enhances the sweetness of the chocolate and caramel and provides a delightful textural contrast. Return the tray of coated buckeyes to the refrigerator and chill for another 15 minutes, or until the chocolate is completely set.
- Plate and Serve: Arrange the chilled Caramel Swirled Peanut Butter Buckeyes on a serving plate. For an elegant presentation, drizzle any leftover melted chocolate across the plate in a thin ribbon. Finish with a light dusting of flaky sea salt flakes around the edges of the plate for a visually appealing touch.
Why the Chilling Steps are Crucial
The chilling steps aren’t just about convenience; they’re fundamental to the success of these buckeyes. The initial chilling of the peanut butter balls firms them up, preventing them from crumbling when you attempt to enclose the caramel. Without this step, the caramel would likely seep out during the rolling process. The second chilling, after dipping in chocolate, is equally important. It allows the chocolate to set properly, creating a crisp, clean coating that doesn’t smudge or melt easily at room temperature. These temperature controls are key to achieving a professional-looking and delicious final product.
Caramel Consistency: Achieving the Perfect Swirl
The texture of the caramel is paramount to the overall experience. You want it to be thick enough to hold its shape within the peanut butter but still soft enough to create a beautiful swirl. If the caramel is too runny, it will simply mix with the peanut butter, losing the distinct swirl effect. Simmering the caramel for the full 2 minutes, and allowing it to cool completely, ensures it reaches the ideal consistency. Don’t be tempted to rush this step!
Chocolate Selection and Melting Tips
The quality of your chocolate significantly impacts the flavor of the buckeyes. Using a dark chocolate with a cocoa percentage of 70% provides a rich, intense flavor that complements the sweetness of the peanut butter and caramel. When melting the chocolate, avoid overheating it, as this can cause it to seize and become grainy. The double boiler method offers the most control, but the microwave method is perfectly acceptable if you use short intervals and stir frequently. Adding a tablespoon of neutral oil ensures a smooth, glossy finish and makes the chocolate easier to work with.
Variations and Add-Ins
Feel free to get creative with these buckeyes! Consider adding a pinch of cinnamon to the peanut butter mixture for a warm, spiced flavor. You could also incorporate chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts work well) into the peanut butter dough for added texture. For a festive touch, use different types of sprinkles or edible glitter to decorate the chocolate coating. Experiment and find your perfect combination!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Can I make these ahead of time? Yes! The buckeyes can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Can I use a different type of chocolate? Absolutely. Milk chocolate or white chocolate can be used instead of dark chocolate, but the flavor profile will be different.
- What if my caramel is too thick? If your caramel is too thick, add a teaspoon of heavy cream at a time, stirring until it reaches the desired consistency.
Enjoy Your Homemade Buckeyes!
These Caramel Swirled Peanut Butter Buckeyes are a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion. The combination of creamy peanut butter, rich caramel, and decadent dark chocolate is simply irresistible. Don’t forget to save this recipe to Pinterest so you can easily find it again when you’re ready to indulge!
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Caramel Swirled Peanut Butter Buckeyes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 buckeyes 1x
- Diet: General
Description
These no-bake buckeyes feature a creamy peanut butter base swirled with homemade caramel and coated in rich dark chocolate. They’re perfect for gifting or enjoying a sweet treat.
Ingredients
- 115 g (½ cup) smooth peanut butter
- 120 g (1 cup) powdered sugar
- 30 g (2 tbsp) melted butter
- 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
- 50 g (¼ cup) light brown sugar
- 60 ml (¼ cup) heavy cream
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) sea salt
- 200 g (7 oz) dark chocolate (70% cocoa)
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) neutral oil
- ¼ tsp (1 g) flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Make Caramel: Combine brown sugar, cream, and salt; simmer for 2 minutes until thickened. Cool completely.
- Prepare Peanut Butter: Mix peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Form & Fill: Roll peanut butter into balls, flatten, fill with caramel, and seal.
- Chill: Refrigerate filled buckeyes for 20 minutes.
- Melt Chocolate: Melt chocolate and oil using a double boiler or microwave.
- Dip & Coat: Dip chilled buckeyes in melted chocolate and tap off excess.
- Garnish & Set: Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and chill for 15 minutes.
Notes
Chilling the peanut butter balls before dipping is crucial to prevent crumbling. Adding oil to the chocolate creates a smoother coating.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 buckeye
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
Keywords: peanut butter,buckeyes,caramel,chocolate,no-bake,dessert,treat,homemade
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