Buckeye Fudge Candy Recipe (2024)

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This Buckeye Fudge Candy Recipe is a much easier version of the classic Christmas candy, Buckeyes. My 12-year-old did the biggest bulk of this easy fudge recipe and it was a major hit.

It is like a creamy peanut butter fudge with a delicious top layer of chocolate!

Trust me, you will be adding this Buckeye Fudge to your Christmas Candy making list for sure.

A million years ago, when Ricky and I first started dating. Well, we were about 2 months in. Anyway, I didn’t feel well. So, I was at his house, lying in his waterbed while he sat on the floor wrapping my Christmas presents. His Momma had made Christmas candy and brought us each a piece. I had never seen these chocolate peanut butter balls before. Oh my word! The Buckeye candy instantly became my all-time favorite Christmas Candy!

Flash forward a few years. We were married, I had children, I had my family Christmas Candy recipes down pat. I wanted Buckeye Candy and his Momma didn’t make it! So, I called my Mother-in-Law, got her recipe, and went to town. Three attempts later, I was still making these lumpy weird things. Apparently, I am not good at coating things with chocolate. I gave up.

Until…. wait.

I could get that same classic Buckeyes deliciousness without having to coat anything? Nearly 20 years into this marriage and I now have my very own Buckeye recipe – except, this is fudge and it is phenomenal! Even better than that? It is a super easy recipe! Really, the hardest part is probably when you get to the peanut butter mixture and have to stir until smooth. My arms got a little tired, but that is because I am lazy. LOL!

Table of Contents

Specialty Ingredients:

The following ingredients are affiliate links on Amazon because they may be a bit hard to find in your normal store. I wanted you to be able to see exactly which things we are using.

Sweetened Condensed Milk – I feel like this recipe ends up being all sugar. So, be aware, it is super rich… but oh so good.

Powdered Sugar – while the recipe only calls for 3 cups, be prepared to have more on hand. You are wanting to make an almost dough-like substance. For me, I had to do 4.5 cups to get the right thickness that I could “press” instead of just pouring out the peanut butter layer. Just make sure to add the powdered sugar a 1/2 cup at a time until the right consistency is reached.

Chocolate Chips – while this recipe calls for semi-sweet chocolate, you can change the entire thing by changing the chocolate. Try dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate for a completely different dessert.

Must Have Resources:

When making Buckeye Fudgeat home, you really need to have the following Amazon affiliate tools on hand.

Parchment Paper

Microwave Safe Bowl

9 x 13 Glass Dish

You can get a cake pedestal like the one pictured from Etsy. Here is my affiliate link to the Cake Stand.

Best Fudge Recipes:

Once you make this Buckeye Fudge Recipe, the kids are going to love it so much that they are going to start asking for even more fudge recipes. Don’t fret! I have picked out the best homemade fudge recipes for you to try.?

This Slow Cooker Fudge from Rainy Day Mum is going to be a game changer for your Christmas Candy making day!

You are going to love this Fudge Pie recipe from Simply Stacie!

I love this Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce from Crystal and Comp

More Peanut Butter and Chocolate Recipes:

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Fudge and Peanut Butter Poke Cake from Crystal and Comp

Buckeye Fudge Recipe

Yield: 30 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes

Chill Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 22 minutes

Delicious, sweetened peanut butter layered with semi-sweet chocolate create a rich dessert that tastes like Buckeyes without the mess, double boiler, or dipping!

Ingredients

PEANUT BUTTER LAYER INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
1 cup butter or margarine, 2 sticks
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, have more on hand, just in case

CHOCOLATE FUDGE LAYER INGREDIENTS

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
11 oz bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
2 T butter or margarine

Instructions

PEANUT BUTTER LAYER DIRECTIONS

Line a 9 x 13 pan with parchment paper and set aside.
In a medium microwave safe bowl, add the peanut butter, 2 sticks of butter, and powdered sugar. Microwave on HIGH in 35 second intervals, stirring after each interval, until completely melted and smooth. Remove from microwave.
Scoop the melted peanut butter mixture into the parchment lined pan. Press it out evenly with the back of a spoon or your fingers.

CHOCOLATE FUDGE LAYER DIRECTIONS

Add the chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and 2 tablespoons of butter to a medium microwave safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH in 35 second intervals, stirring after each interval, until completely melted and smooth.
Remove from microwave and stir in the vanilla extract
Scoop the melted chocolate on top of the peanut butter layer and spread out evenly with a spatula.
Chill for 4 hours to allow the fudge to set.
Cut into squares before serving and ENJOY!!

Notes

NOTE: To keep your buckeye fudge the freshest, cover with wax paper, foil or plastic wrap and store in a cool, dry place. I prefer to store mine in the refrigerator but you can keep it at room temperature, also. In addition, this fudge freezes really well (for up to 3 months).