White Chocolate Buckeye Ghosts

Rating: 4.80 out of 5 votes

Halloween White Chocolate Buckeyes Recipe

These spooky Halloween white chocolate buckeyes turn the traditional chocolate-covered peanut butter balls into adorable candy mummies, perfect for a fun and festive treat.

Prep Time:

20 minutes

Total Time:

20 hours
20 minutes

Chill Time:

20 hours

Yield:

24
candies

• Pin
• Share on Facebook
• Send Email

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 1
  cup
  creamy peanut butter
  *
• ¼
  cup
  unsalted butter
  room temperature (½ stick)
• 1
  teaspoon
  pure vanilla extract
• 2
  cups
  powdered sugar
  sifted
• 16
  ounces
  white melting chocolate
  **
• 24
  candy eyes

Equipment

• Kitchen Scale (optional, for precise portions)
• Fine-Mesh Sieve
• 2 Baking Sheets
• Stand Mixer (optional, or large mixing bowl and hand mixer)

Instructions

1. Prepare Baking Sheets: Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This will prevent your buckeyes from sticking and make cleanup a breeze. Set them aside while you prepare the peanut butter mixture.
   
2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), add the creamy peanut butter, softened unsalted butter, and pure vanilla extract. Beat these ingredients together until they are well combined and smooth, ensuring there are no lumps of butter remaining.
   1 cup creamy peanut butter, ¼ cup unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
   
3. Incorporate Powdered Sugar: With your mixer running on low speed, gradually add the sifted powdered sugar to the peanut butter mixture. Continue mixing until all of the powdered sugar is fully incorporated and the mixture forms a thick, pliable dough. Be careful not to overmix.
   2 cups powdered sugar
   
4. Form Buckeye Balls: Scoop the peanut butter dough and roll it into uniform 1-inch balls. Arrange these balls on your prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between each. For consistent sizing, a small cookie scoop or a kitchen scale can be helpful.
   
5. Chill the Balls: Place the baking sheets with the peanut butter balls into the refrigerator. Chill them for at least 1 hour, or until firm. This crucial step prevents the peanut butter from melting or becoming too soft when dipped into the warm chocolate.
6. Melt White Chocolate: Once the buckeye centers are thoroughly chilled, melt the white melting chocolate in a medium, microwave-safe bowl according to the package instructions. Stir until completely smooth. Immediately pour about ¼ cup of the melted white chocolate into a small plastic bag (like a Ziplock sandwich bag) and set it aside; this will be for the mummy drizzle.
   16 ounces white melting chocolate
7. Dip Buckeyes: Insert a toothpick into the bottom of one chilled peanut butter ball. Dip the ball into the remaining melted white chocolate, swirling gently to coat all sides, but intentionally leave a small circle of the peanut butter exposed at the very top. This is the characteristic “buckeye” look and where the candy eyes will go.
   
8. Add Candy Eyes: Carefully place the dipped buckeye back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Immediately press two candy eyes into the exposed peanut butter section at the top. Ensure they are firmly nestled into the peanut butter so they don’t fall off once the chocolate hardens. Repeat this process for all buckeyes.
   24 candy eyes
9. Create Mummy Effect: Snip a very small corner off the plastic bag containing the reserved melted white chocolate. Drizzle the chocolate back and forth over the dipped buckeyes, creating irregular stripe patterns to mimic mummy bandages. If the chocolate in your bag hardens, microwave it for a few seconds (watching carefully) until it’s liquid enough to drizzle again.
   
10. Final Chill: Return the decorated buckeyes to the refrigerator for at least another hour, or until the white chocolate is completely set and firm. Once hardened, they are ready to serve and enjoy!

Recipe Notes & Expert Tips

*For the best results, I highly recommend using creamy, processed peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) for this recipe. All-natural peanut butter tends to be oilier and softer, which can make the peanut butter balls more challenging to form and dip without them losing shape. However, if you prefer a bit of crunch, feel free to use chunky peanut butter!

**When it comes to the coating, I strongly advise using white melting chocolate or candy melts rather than regular white chocolate chips. Melting chocolate is specifically designed to melt smoothly and set firmly without requiring tempering, which makes the dipping process much easier and yields a professional-looking finish. Regular white chocolate chips often contain stabilizers that can make them seize or become clumpy when melted.

Additional Tips for Success:

• Softened Butter is Key: Ensure your unsalted butter is at true room temperature. This allows it to cream smoothly with the peanut butter, creating a uniform, lump-free base for your buckeyes.
• Sift Your Powdered Sugar: Don’t skip sifting the powdered sugar! This step is crucial for preventing lumps in your peanut butter mixture, ensuring a perfectly smooth and consistent texture.
• Kid-Friendly Fun: These white chocolate buckeyes are fantastic for getting kids involved. They can help with mixing the peanut butter dough, rolling the balls, or, their favorite part, drizzling the white chocolate “bandages” to create the mummy look. It’s a wonderful way to make memories and delicious treats together!
• Thorough Chilling: Ample chilling time for the peanut butter balls before dipping is non-negotiable. This firms them up significantly, preventing them from softening or falling apart when introduced to the warm melted chocolate.
• Secure the Eyes: As mentioned, pressing the candy eyes directly into the soft peanut butter (not just the wet chocolate) provides the best adhesion. Do this quickly after dipping before the chocolate sets.
• Drizzle with Ease: A small Ziplock bag with a tiny corner snipped off acts as a perfect makeshift piping bag for the mummy stripes. If your chocolate in the bag starts to firm up, a quick 5-10 second microwave burst will restore its drizzling consistency.

Storage & Freezing Instructions: To keep your Halloween white chocolate buckeyes fresh, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For longer preservation, these candies freeze beautifully. Simply spread the buckeye mummies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until they are completely solid, which usually takes about 1 hour. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty Ziplock bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, allow them to thaw at room temperature for about 15-30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Halloween White Chocolate Buckeyes Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 candy)

Calories 226
Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 13g20%

Saturated Fat 6g38%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 2g

Monounsaturated Fat 5g

Cholesterol 9mg3%

Sodium 64mg3%

Potassium 116mg3%

Carbohydrates 25g8%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 23g26%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 65IU1%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 44mg4%

Iron 1mg6%

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

Author:
Becky Hardin

• Share on Facebook
• Share on X
• Pin

Did You Make This?
We love seeing what you’ve made! Tag us on social media at
@easydessertrecipes
for a chance to be featured.

How to Make White Chocolate Buckeyes Step-by-Step (with more details)

Creating these delightful Halloween White Chocolate Buckeyes is a straightforward process, but paying attention to a few key details will ensure your mummy treats turn out perfectly every time. Follow these steps for an easy and enjoyable baking experience:

1. Prepare Your Workspace and Ingredients

Prep: Before you begin, gather all your ingredients and equipment. This makes the entire process smoother and more efficient. Line two standard baking sheets with parchment paper; this will prevent the buckeye balls from sticking and simplify cleanup later. Set these prepared sheets aside.

Ingredient Readiness: A crucial tip for a smooth peanut butter mixture is to ensure your peanut butter and butter are at room temperature. If you store your peanut butter in the fridge, take it out along with the unsalted butter about 30-60 minutes before you plan to start. Softened butter incorporates much more smoothly and evenly into the peanut butter, preventing lumps and ensuring a consistent dough texture.

2. Beat the Peanut Butter Mixture

Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), combine 1 cup of creamy peanut butter, ¼ cup of softened unsalted butter, and 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Use your mixer to beat these ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined and create a creamy, homogeneous mixture. Take your time with this step to ensure there are absolutely no visible lumps of butter remaining. A smooth base is essential for a smooth buckeye.

3. Incorporate the Powdered Sugar

Add Sweetness Gradually: Once your butter and peanut butter mixture is perfectly smooth and fully incorporated, it’s time to add the sweetness. With your mixer running on low speed, slowly add 2 cups of sifted powdered sugar. The key here is to add it gradually to prevent a sugar cloud and ensure it integrates evenly. Mix just until all of the powdered sugar is incorporated and the mixture comes together to form a thick, moldable dough. It’s incredibly important to sift the powdered sugar beforehand; this step eliminates any small lumps, ensuring your buckeyes have a wonderfully smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

4. Shape and Chill the Buckeye Balls

Form the Balls: Now for the fun part! Scoop portions of the peanut butter mixture and roll them into uniform 1-inch balls. For precision and consistency, a small cookie portion scoop (about 1 tablespoon in size) works wonders, ensuring each buckeye is roughly the same size as a golf ball. Place these neatly rolled balls onto your parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving a small space between each. Aim for approximately 24 balls from this recipe.

Crucial Chill Time: Once all your peanut butter balls are shaped, place the baking sheets into the refrigerator. Allow them to chill for a minimum of 1 hour, or until they are very firm to the touch. This chilling period is absolutely vital. It ensures that the peanut butter balls are solid enough to hold their shape and won’t melt or distort when you dip them into the warm, melted white chocolate. Patience here pays off with perfectly formed buckeyes!

5. Dip and Decorate

Melt the White Chocolate: Once your buckeyes are perfectly chilled and firm, it’s time for the chocolate coating. Melt 16 ounces of white melting chocolate (or candy melts) in a medium, microwave-safe bowl according to the package directions. Stir the chocolate thoroughly until it’s completely smooth and free of any lumps. As soon as it’s melted, immediately pour about ¼ cup of this smooth white chocolate into a small plastic bag (a Ziplock sandwich bag works perfectly) and set it aside; this portion will be used later for drizzling the mummy bandages.

The Buckeye Dip: Carefully insert a toothpick into the bottom of one chilled peanut butter ball. Dip the ball into the remaining melted white chocolate, swirling it gently to coat nearly all sides. The traditional buckeye look involves leaving a small, penny-sized circle of the peanut butter exposed at the very top. This not only gives it the classic appearance but also provides a natural “canvas” for placing your candy eyes.

Decorate with Mummy Eyes and Bandages: After dipping, carefully place the peanut butter ball back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. While the chocolate is still slightly wet, but the peanut butter is exposed, immediately press two candy eyes into the exposed peanut butter section at the top. This ensures they stick securely. Once all buckeyes are dipped and have their eyes, grab your plastic bag with the reserved melted white chocolate. Snip a very small corner off the bag to create a fine opening. Drizzle the chocolate back and forth over each buckeye, creating irregular stripe patterns that resemble mummy bandages. If the chocolate in your bag starts to firm up and becomes difficult to drizzle, simply microwave the bag for a few seconds (about 5-10 seconds at a time) until it’s fluid again. This quick reheat will allow you to continue your mummy artistry without interruption.

Final Chill: After all your buckeye mummies are decorated, return the baking sheets to the refrigerator for at least another hour. This final chill allows the white chocolate coating and the mummy drizzles to completely set and harden, ensuring a stable and delicious treat. Once fully set, they are ready to serve and bring some spooky cheer to your Halloween festivities!

How to Store and Freeze Your White Chocolate Buckeyes

Proper storage is essential to keep your Halloween White Chocolate Buckeyes fresh and delicious for as long as possible. Here’s how to best store and even freeze them:

• Refrigeration: Leftover buckeye mummies should be stored in an airtight container. Place the container in the refrigerator, and they will remain fresh and tasty for up to 2 weeks. It’s best to keep them chilled to maintain their firm texture and prevent the chocolate from softening.
• Freezing for Longer Enjoyment: If you’ve made a large batch or want to prepare them in advance, these buckeyes are excellent for freezing. To freeze them, first spread the buckeye candies out in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze them until they are completely solid, which typically takes about 1 hour. Once solid, you can transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty Ziplock bag. Layer them with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They can be kept frozen for up to 2 months.
• Thawing Frozen Buckeyes: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen buckeyes, simply remove them from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for approximately 15-30 minutes before serving. This allows them to soften slightly for the perfect texture without becoming overly warm.