No-Bake Buckeye Fudge is a rich, creamy peanut butter fudge covered in dark chocolate candy that doesn’t take a lot of effort and makes an excellent gift. You can have it made within 1/2 hour and freezes well for last minute desserts. You can also make it without the chocolate topping and have just the peanut butter fudge.

If you like buckeyes, but don’t like the work, this is the recipe for you. It’s a creamy no cook peanut butter candy with a chocolate ganache on top. You can make the ganache in the microwave or on the stovetop. I highly recommend making the ganache on the stove top if it’s available to you. Unattended cream is notorious for boiling over, scorching and making a mess. If you have an electric glass stove top, it can even cause pitting on your stove if it boils over.

So where as this is easy to make, you want to watch it closely. This means no multitasking for this part. But in only takes a few moments and you are done. If it does boil over, immediately turn off the heat and clean up according to your stove’s directions. To avoid any damage to your stove top, I’ve found using a countertop induction cooktop worth the money. I find it is important to discuss kitchen safety and possible issues ahead of time so you don’t have any unexpected surprises that can lead to damaged equipment or burns. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Also, if you need more help with making ganache for this buckeye fudge, go to this recipe. It includes a more in-depth video and explanation on what ganache is and how to make it. But for simplicity, it’s a chocolate in pourable form that hardens to the consistency of jello.

However, you can totally customize this recipe. Double the batch like I did in the video below. Add an extra 1/4 cup of butter for a creamier texture. Add less sugar if you want to make it less sweet. Or add more sugar if you love the traditional buckeye flavor. If you want these to be more like buckeyes, skip the ganache and go even simpler.  Melt one-half of a 12 oz bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips and pour over the peanut butter mixture instead. They will taste just like the candy in a different shape! (You will have to cut the candy with a serrated knife if you do this, though as the top will be brittle and break into shards.) There is no right or wrong way to make buckeye fudge.

No-Bake Buckeye Fudge

Creamy sweet peanut butter fudge topped with rich dark chocolate ganache. This easy no bake desert is a favorite treat for every peanut butter lover out there.

Print Recipe

Prep Time15 minutes minutes

Chill Time15 minutes minutes

Total Time30 minutes minutes

Servings64 pieces

Calories 100

Ingredients

• 1 pound (454g) peanut butter
• 1 pound (454g) powdered sugar
• 4 ounces (113g) dark chocolate
• 4 ounces (113g) heavy whipping cream
• ¼ cup (56g) softened butter
• ½ tsp (2.5mL) vanilla

Instructions

• Heat cream on low until it just starts to simmer and you see bubbles forming around the edges of the pan. Turn off and remove from heat. (If microwaving, cook 20 seconds at a time and stir between cycles until just beginning to boil. Watch carefully to avoid boiling over.)
• Add in chocolate. Let sit 2-5 minutes before stirring. Set aside and let cool.
• Mix softened butter, peanut butter and vanilla until smooth.
• Gradually add sugar until a thick dough forms.
• Press peanut butter candy into a parchment lined 8×8 (20 cm") pan.
• Pour cooled chocolate sauce over top of candy. Spread it with a spoon until smooth layer forms.
• Cover and chill in fridge until ready to serve. Cut into 1" squares.

Notes

Want it less sweet?  Only add powdered sugar a little bit at a time and taste on occasion.

This is a naturally gluten-free dessert.

For the best tasting results, use a high quality darker chocolate.  Feel free to use any type of chocolate you prefer, however they will be more sweet tasting with milder chocolates.

If you want these to be more like buckeyes, skip the ganache and go simpler.  Melt one-half of 12 oz bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips and pour over the peanut butter mixture instead.  (You will have to cut the candy with a serrated knife if you do this, though as the top will be brittle and break into shards.) 

Nutrition Facts

No-Bake Buckeye Fudge

Serving Size

 

1

Amount per Serving

Calories

100

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

6

g

9

%

Saturated Fat

 

2.2

g

14

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

1.1

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

1.8

g

Sodium

 

35.6

mg

2

%

Carbohydrates

 

10.3

g

3

%

Fiber

 

0.6

g

3

%

Protein

 

1.9

g

4

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

* Calories provided as a courtesy and not guaranteed.