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Buckeye Fudge – a Holiday Favorite

This tasty buckeye fudge is a wonderful mix of peanut butter fudge with a rich chocolate layer. It has all the flavor of Buckeye balls but is so much easier to make.

The buckeye recipe is a decadent, delicious and holiday comfort food all rolled into one delicious bundle. They are a hit on any party dessert table.

The problem with them us that they are labor intensive. And time in the kitchen is not something I have a lot of this time of the year.

Don’t get me wrong, I love peanut butter chocolate Buckeye balls as much as the next person, but rolling all those little balls, dipping them in chocolate, letting them set, adding some decorations and on and on?  No thanks…not this time of the year at least.

Instead of making the traditional peanut butter balls, get the same flavor with this buckeye fudge recipe in far less time. This easy to make buckeye fudge has all of the flavors of buckeye balls without the work. It's ready to set in about 10 minutes and foolproof. recipesjust4u.com

What are buckeye balls?

One holiday sweet treat that seems to appear every year about this time is a buckeye ball. 

This traditional favorite is a taste-alike Reese’s peanut buttery goodness confectionery that features a yummy peanut butter center dipped in chocolate.

Buckeye candy can feature a pure peanut butter center, or have other ingredients, but the main idea is peanut butter surrounded by chocolate. 

I consider fudge an old fashioned candy treat like peanut brittle and truffles. See more old fashioned candy recipes here.

Buckeye chocolate balls

More peanut butter Chocolate recipes

Do you love peanut butter and chocolate like I do? Check out these recipes for more of this great flavor combo:

This buckeye fudge has all the flavor of traditional buckeye balls, but hardly any of the work.

With a headline like that, what is not to like?  Peanut butter √…Chocolate √…easy √ …fudge √√.  

Seriously guys. This is the easiest fudge recipes I have ever made!  Today’s batch was made in about 10 minutes (not counting the setting time) and it came out perfectly.  

I heated it in the microwave to save time too.  It can also be done on top of the stove, but takes a bit longer I’m all about saving time this month.

Look at all these goodies for these peanut butter buckeyes.  How can this easy buckeye fudge not be perfect? 

Indgredients for Buckeye fudge

The first layer of this buckeye fudge is made by placing the peanut butter into a microwave safe bowl and combining it with two sticks of butter and a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.

Don’t skimp on the ingredients.  Margarine and imitation vanilla extract just won’t do.  The flavor will let you down if you skimp, plus margarine has a higher water content so the fudge won’t set as well.  

This layer comes together so quickly.  About 1 minute and a half, swirl it all together and then add the confectioner’s sugar.  It makes a thick layer very quickly.

peanut butter layer

If you do it on the stove top, just use a heavy saucepan and cook it over medium low heat. It takes a bit longer but works very well too. Both come together quickly.

One reason the fudge does not need high heat to set is because of the powdered sugar. So, you don’t have to worry about this fudge failing on you. LOVE!!  

I seem to have been a non fudge maker in my past life, since fudge not setting has been a particular specialty of mine.

But not this recipe.  It is totally fool proof, even if all of your other fudge recipes have failed on you. Are you a failed fudge maker too? 

Check out my post for tips for making perfect fudge every time. They really do help.

Once it has all combined well, spread it out in a foil lined pan that has been sprayed with a non cooking spray. Press it down well and set aside.

Buckeye Fudge Peanut butter layer

Tip for the powered sugar:  Sift it first.  I discovered that just stirring it into the peanut butter gave it a lumpy appearance, and I ended up having to use a whisk and got a big arm workout to get it smooth.  

The next step is to add 1 1/2 cups of semi sweet chocolate chips to a glass bowl with 7 ounces of sweetened condensed milk.  

(I used nonfat to make me think that this fudge is diet friendly. It’s not by any stretch of the imagination,  but a girl can pretend, right?). 

melted chocolate

Be sure to choose sweetened condensed milk and not evaporated milk.   It’s thicker and sweeter, and you need both.  

2 tablespoons of butter goes into the bowl and it’s all heated in the microwave for about 90 seconds, stirring now and then.  

If you do this step on the stove top, you will place the bowl over a pan of simmering water until the chocolate melts. It takes longer and the microwave works so easily so I used that today.

Just a few minutes and the fudge layer is done.

Buckeye Fudge chocolate layer

Would you believe me if I say, “that’s all there is to the two chocolate peanut butter layers?”  Well….that’s all there is to it.  It’s hard to believe it is done in such a short amount of time.  

You have a choice now.  It will set on the counter top in about 4 hours, or you can chill it in the fridge for faster setting. I put mine in the fridge and it was set and ready to cut in about 2 hours.  

Seriously…easiest fudge ever! This easy to make buckeye fudge has all of the flavors of buckeye balls without the work. It's ready to set in about 10 minutes and foolproof. recipesjust4u.com

To serve, use the sides of the aluminum foil to lift the fudge out of the pan.  Strip away the al-foil and cut it into small pieces.

This recipe makes 48 servings.  The fudge is very rich.  If you want it to go further, use an 8 x 11″ pan and the same ingredients.  

The slices will be thinner but a small bite is really all that is needed since this buckeye fudge is so sweet.

This easy to make buckeye fudge has all of the flavors of buckeye balls without the work. It's ready to set in about 10 minutes and foolproof. recipesjust4u.com And WHOA…the flavor!!!  Rich semi sweet chocolate over a creamy peanut butter fudge base.  It’s Buckeye fudge heaven, folks.  

Better put some aside for gifts, ladies.  If you keep them around, and you lack Buckeye control, there won’t be any to share with family or friends!

This easy to make buckeye fudge has all of the flavors of buckeye balls without the work. It's ready to set in about 10 minutes and foolproof. recipesjust4u.com

This fudge is sure to become a holiday tradition.  Your friends and family simply will not believe how easy it is to make!

Buckeye fudge is perfect for gift giving. recipesjust4u.com

Fudge makes a wonderful home made Christmas gift too.  Add a pretty container and give a gift of love!

Using a really sharp knife gives you very sharp edges so that the fudge presents better.

This easy to make buckeye fudge has all of the flavors of buckeye balls without the work. It's ready to set in about 10 minutes and foolproof. recipesjust4u.com

Nutritional information for this buckeye fudge recipe

It’s a good thing I only make fudge once a year. This recipe is not for the diet conscious but it’s worth every calorie! The recipe makes 48 pieces if you use a 9 x 9 inch pan with 148 calories or 7 WW Smart points in each piece. 

If you use a 9 x 13 inch pan, you should be able to cut 78 pieces taking each piece down to a more respectable 99 calories and 5 WW smart points.

Admin note: This recipe for buckeye fudge first appeared on the blog in November of 2015.  I have updated the post to include a printable recipe card, more photos and a video for you to enjoy.

Would you like a reminder of this buckeye fudge recipe?  Just pin this image to one of your dessert boards on Pinterest.This buckeye fudge recipe has a delicious peanut butter base, topped in chocolate. Tastes like buckeye balls without all the work!

More holiday fudge recipes

If you enjoyed this recipe, check out these fudge recipes, too:

Yield: 48 pieces of fudge

Buckeye Fudge - One of my Holiday Favorite Recipes

This easy to make buckeye fudge has all of the flavors of buckeye balls without the work. It's ready to set in about 10 minutes and foolproof. recipesjust4u.com

This buckeye fudge is rich and decadent . It tastes like buckeye balls without all of the work of making them.

Prep Time 4 hours
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

For the Peanut Butter Layer:

  • 1 cup of butter (two sticks)
  • 1 cup of creamy peanut butter
  • 1 tsp of pure vanilla extract
  • 3 1/2 cups of confectioner's sugar

For the chocolate layer:

  • 7 ounces of sweetened condensed milk (about 1/2 can)
  • 1 1/2 cups of semi sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tbsp of butter

Instructions

  1. Line a 9 x 9 inch pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper, bringing the edges of the foil up over the sides of the pan to use as handles later to remove the fudge.
  2. Spray the foil with Pam cooking spray and set aside.
  3. Combine the peanut butter, 2 sticks of butter and vanilla extract in a glass bowl and cook in the microwave for 1 minute.
  4. Stir well and cook another 30 seconds or so until everything is well combined.
  5. Sift the powered sugar and add it, one cup at a time to the peanut butter mixture, mixing well until everything is very well combined and the mixture is smooth.
  6. Spread the peanut butter mixture in the foil line pan and set aside.
  7. Clean your bowl and add the chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and 2 tbsp of butter.
  8. Cook for one minute in the microwave. Stir and continue cooking another 30 seconds.
  9. Stir very well until the chocolate is smooth and spread it over the peanut butter layer.
  10. Allow the fudge to set for 4 hours on the counter top.
  11. You can also put it in the fridge to set a bit more quickly. Once set, cut with a very sharp knife into 48 pieces.
  12. Store in an air tight container in the fridge for a few weeks, or freeze to use later.

Notes

Each piece has 7 Weight Watchers Smart Points if you make 48 pieces and 5 Smart points if you use a 9 x 13 inch pan and make 72 pieces. (Calorie count for the smaller pieces is 99.)

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

48

Serving Size:

1 piece

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 148.5Total Fat: 9.2gSaturated Fat: 4.7gUnsaturated Fat: 3.4gCholesterol: 12.4mgSodium: 28.3mgCarbohydrates: 16.0gFiber: 0.3gSugar: 14.8gProtein: 1.6g

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WENDI

Friday 7th of December 2018

Hi Carol, I'm one of the admins over at Collective Yum. I thought that this was the most delicious looking recipe I saw all day today! Thanks for sharing with our readers at Collective Yum! :) Have a good one!

Anne

Sunday 29th of October 2017

I just made the fudge and it needs to sit on the counter for 4 hours. :( It was very easy to make. Can't wait to try it! :)

Carol

Friday 3rd of November 2017

Hi Anne. It's well worth the wait! Carol

Renee Fuller

Monday 23rd of November 2015

What an easy fudge recipe and very similar to one I used to do years ago. I may have to try this for the holidays.

Carol

Wednesday 25th of November 2015

We plan to have it on Thanksgiving. Can't wait

Evelyne

Friday 20th of November 2015

And I think I really should sever my internet connection after 9 pm - so that I am not tempted to head to the kitchen and make fudge! OMG this looks fantastic!

Carol

Saturday 21st of November 2015

LOL. This one is worth keeping the internet on for!

Terri Oliver Steffes

Friday 20th of November 2015

This looks so amazing! I didn't know about the higher water content of margarine. This explains so much. I have decided to reduce the chemicals in my life, so "oleo" is out! Thank you for the recipe. I hope to give it a go!

Carol

Friday 20th of November 2015

It is such a foolproof one. Fudge is the bane of my exisitence, so I love it when I get an easy recipe

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission from the sale, but the price is the same for you. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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