I shared this recipe last year but it contained dairy-filled chocolateso I thought I would share how I went about making a dairy-free version this year.
This was an easy tweak to make, especially since I had just received a complimentary sample of Boom Choco Boom Bars by Enjoy Life Foods. You could also use any dairy-free chocolate, including chocolate chips. If you use a pure chocolate (without added cocoa butter), be sure to add 2 tablespoons of shortening for every 6 ounces of chocolate, this will keep the chocolate smooth and prevent discoloration.
Dairy-Free Buckeyes
1 1/2 cups Creamy Peanut Butter (or use your favorite seed or nut butter…our new favorite is Barney Butter)
1/2 cup Earth Balance, softened
1 tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract
4 cups Confectioners Sugar
10 or more Enjoy Life Chocolate Bars* (see note below)
1). In a large bowl, mix peanut butter, Earth Balance, vanilla, and confectioners sugar with hands to form a smooth stiff dough. Shape into balls using approximately 2 teaspoons of dough for each ball. Place on prepared pan, and refrigerate or freeze* (see note below)
2). Melt Boom Choco Boom bars in a metal bowl over a pan of lightly simmering water. Stir occasionally until smooth, and remove from heat.
3). Remove peanut butter balls from refrigerator or freezer. Insert a wooden toothpick (I prefer using a wooden skewer)into a ball, and dip into melted chocolate, leaving a small circle at the top uncoated. Place dipped Buckeyes on a parchment lined baking sheet, chocolate side down, and remove toothpick. Repeat with remaining peanut butter balls. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to set.Notes:
- The number of chocolate bars will depend on how many buckeyes you make, I melted 10 candy bars for this recipe and had a little chocolate leftover, so I made some gluten-free, dairy-free chocolate covered pretzels, a couple GFCF “Nestle Crunch” candy bars (click here for few more ideas to try), and a few dairy-free chocolate covered homemade marshmallows, yum!
- I like to make the peanut butter balls/centers several days in advance and freeze them. I’ve found that dipping the frozen peanut butter balls to be much more successful for me as they do not fall apart in the hot melted chocolate.
- I keep all of my homemade dairy-free chocolate candies in the refrigerator.
Note to self: do not attempt taking photos that involve chocolate when a certain “someone” is home from school!
I could not share a recipe for Buckeyes without mentioning my Alma Mater, The Ohio State University and I can’t mention OSU without re-posting this SUPER COOL video of an Ohio State flash mob that was staged last May:
It’s time to announce the winner of the Marion’s Smart Delights giveaway.
I used the random number generator to pick the winner and that person is:
#16, Mary Sharp
Congratulations Mary! I will send you an email to get your shipping information. 😀
That's not the Ohio Union of my memories or yours, I'm sure. Go Bucks and Go Heidi's Dairy-Free Buckeyes!
Wendy,
It's definitely NOT my Ohio Union, it looks like a shopping mall.
I'm thinking Mr. Les Wexner had a hand in the new Union, LOL! 😀
Heidi-girl,
I love the little hand reaching for the treat. OMG, that is cute overload for sure. You never cease to amaze me with your creativity (food-wise and photo-wise). And to think you are a true Buckeye! One of my best friends is a Buckeye and obsessed with all things Ohio State. I'm passing alone this YouTube video to Jack right now. Thanks and please save me a treat before those little hands steal them all!
Peace, love and happy holidays!
Melissa
xo
It's true for most of us Buckeyes…once a nut, always a nut, LOL!
xo,
Heidi
Your buckeyes are gorgeouso, Heidi! Textbook, I'd say. Love that first photo. I'm assuming you can use any chocolate in this recipe, right?
Boy, Mary is on a lucky binge … she just won over at my blog, too. That girl should buy a lottery ticket! 🙂
Off to watch flash mob thingie …
xoxoxo,
Shirley
Thanks Shirley.
Yes, you can use any chocolate but a few modifications might need to be made (like adding shortening to the melted chocolate) to ensure a smooth dipping chocolate.
Funny that Mary won both of our giveaways, I could use a little of her luck, LOL!
xo,
Heidi
Yet another cookie I've never had although they look GREAT! At first I thought you'd molded Mr. Football and iced him too. I mean he's just the right shape. Of course, the boys would just bite his head off. I have fond memories of decapitating both gingerbread men and bunnies. The brains are the best part.
Happy Holidays to a warm loving mother and a new and very caring friend.
Oh, we love cookie and candy decapitation around here too, LOL!
Happy Holidays to you too my friend! I'm going to be taking a small blog-cation once I get a couple more posts published so I can catch up on emails and do some long overdue blog maintenance. Will be in touch soon!
Hugs,
Heidi
I'm so sorry you had to go dairy-free for you – but oh so happy for me! Thank you for all of your amazing recipes – your really make my life easier and better! (I cry every time I see a flash mob – I love them!)
Oh these look good! I may have to make them for myself 🙂 Little boys can't have chocolate. I love the little fat hand reaching in and grabbing one….you couldn't have staged that better if you tried. Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! xoxo
OK, I watched the flash mob thingy. Although I have no affiliation with Ohio State (I am a USC girl.), I love those things. It's so "Fame." Always makes me think of watching the tv show and wanting to be in one of those groups that spontaneously busted out into song and dance in the middle of the street. And everyone would just stop and watch instead of getting really mad that they were going to be late for work.
But, I will like the buckeyes if it means I get to eat one of your creations. Yum!
xoxo,
Tia 😛
ROFL! I think we all had that fantasy at one point, hehe.
I will send you a buckeye ASAP. It will probably have a bite missing though! 😀
xoxo,
Heidi
These are a favorite in our house! Your pictures always look so amazing lady!
Thanks Alisa!
What do you use for your dairy-free chocolate?
These look so amazing. I just want to grab one off the plate (like that cute little hand is already doing) and stuff it in my mouth. I had never even heard of buckeyes until this Christmas! Is it an American thing? I can't WAIT to get my Blendtec so I can make my own icing sugar!
I haven't had buckeyes in years. These are so much more healthy than my old recipe, will have to make these.
I'm from the buckeye state too, but went to Miami U, not Ohio State. Love love love buckeyes.
I can honestly say, after just finishing my 33rd Buckeye…these are really, really good…mmmm…mmffff.fmmfmmffmmf (stuffs face with 34th).
Love you!!!!
Michael! The dairy-free buckeyes are for Lucas…leave them alone!!! 😉
I made some too. My husband insists. And then when I put them on a cookie plate to take to work, he gets mad. He also sounds like Mike above, stuffing #40 in his mouth. Mine are not dairy free though…I should post my old fashioned recipe…
And that Union! I know! Crazy, huh? I lived on South Campus and so would go over to the union and it just felt yucky. This one looks amazing!
Oh, Heidi, my knees are weak! These look great. So you like those Boom Choco Boom bars? I have a coupon and haven't used it yet.
Haha, thanks Alta!
Well, I cannot tell you what I think of the Boom Choco Boom Bars, because I can't actually taste them (chronic sinusitis robbed my sense of smell and taste 7 months ago) but I can tell you that my husband and kids love them! 🙂
That sure isn't the Union I use to walk to from the Dental School for coffee!! Is that Union on campus?? WOW!
Anyway, thank you so much for posting a GF/DF Buckeye. My hubby loves them and I am sure our 5 children will too. But they are GF/DF and have yet to find pre-made ones that they can eat, so it looks like I will be making them.
And I graduated from OSU as well in 1989. Received my BS in both Education and Dental Hygiene. Didn't have time to have fun like those students on the video, my nose was constantly buried in books. Tee hee hee.
Peace & Raw Health,
Elizabeth
Oh wow, Elizabeth! Ohio State has a great dental program, I've had several friends go through it. In fact, my kids see a pediatric dentist here in New Mexico who is an Ohio Alum and his office is all scarlet and gray, LOL! I graduated from the College of Human Ecology with a BS in Hospitality Management in 1996, so that was definitely NOT my Ohio Union either! It's got "Easton" written all over it!
Heidi 😀
Love this recipe! I added it to my top ten list for the week!
That was super cool!!!!
Lexie,
I am lost without you and I cannot seem to locate you anywhere! Will you email me your new email address? LOL!
Love that little hand reaching for the treat! It has been such a pleasure getting to know you this year. I wish you and yours a very merry Christmas! xo carol
Aw, thank you Carol!! It has been such a pleasure getting to know you too and I can't wait to meet up again. 😀
Hope you have a very Merry Christmas too!
xo,
Heidi
These look awesome! I am so glad that you show (what some would call) non-traditional cookie and other recipes on your site. Everyone can easily find a gluten free chocolate chip cookie recipe, but your site adds inspiration to the mix. Thanks!!
I am SO glad to see this recipe…I was trying to figure out how to make these this fall!!!!
I was trying to find a way to save this recipe in my recipe box….but it’s not working.
I have been making buckeyes (or as we call them in my family “Peanut Butter Balls”) since I was in Kindergarten and brought the recipe home from school. It is a simple recipe, like yours, but includes Hershey’s chocolate and Nestle chocolate chips, so I guess it probably isn’t dairy free. And I am not sure how allergen-free Peter Pan peanut butter is, either.