Easy Wowbutter Buckeyes Recipe With Callebaut Milk Chocolate

This simple recipe for easy Wowbutter Buckeyes made with Callebaut Belgian milk chocolate couldn’t be more straightforward. It’s an elevated version of traditional chocolate-dipped peanut butter balls, perfect for the Christmas season. Each peanut-free buckeye is coated in melted milk chocolate and topped with a slivered almond and a wee spot for visual appeal. With just a few ingredients, these no-bake treats are like cookie truffles, making them great to add to your holiday table this year. 

I have long loved candy making, and this recipe is a cross between candy making and baking. It can bring out the inner artist in you, inspiring you to creatively decorate your no-bake holiday treats in a variety of ways. Better still, the Wowbutter is perfect for those who have a peanut allergy yet still love the great combination of peanut butter flavor with chocolate. 

If you love candy making, you’ll want to stick around because I am feeling all the feels this season and will be making a whole lot more for you.

What Is a Buckeye?

If you have never heard of these before, I am going to give a brief rundown on the origin of these tasty morsels. Buckeyes or peanut butter balls, are a popular treat in the United States, especially in Ohio, where they are considered the state candy. These sweet, peanut butter-filled confections are dipped in chocolate, leaving a small circle exposed at the center, resembling the buckeye nut, the seed of the Ohio buckeye tree (Aesculus glabra).

The origin of Buckeyes can be traced back to Ohio in the mid-20th century, though variations of peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate existed before then. The no bake recipe became widely popular through local traditions and community events. One key figure in their rise to fame was a woman named Mary Ellen, who is often credited with creating the treat in the 1960s. She is believed to have made them for a gathering and called them “Buckeye Balls” due to their resemblance to the tree’s seed.

Traditionally, Buckeyes are made by combining peanut butter with powdered sugar, butter, and sometimes vanilla, forming small balls that are then partially dipped in chocolate. They are a no-bake treat, making them a quick and easy favorite during the holiday season, though they are enjoyed year-round.

Why You Will Love This Easy No-Bake Recipe

Well, Obviously, It’s No-Bake. Sometimes, you just want a sweet treat without the added effort of baking. Maybe you are in the mood to work with the kids to make this year special. These treats are a kid-friendly holiday project in the making. 

Peanut-free. When you make your treats at home, you can be assured that no peanuts are in them. Read the ingredient list on the packaging to ease your mind, but Callebaut is an allergen-friendly chocolate.

Great For Gifting. If you love making food gifts, this one’s a winner. They are super easy to make and look beautiful. Package them in a small chocolate box with a beautiful ribbon, and they’re a cost-effective, tasty Christmas gift idea.

Let’s Start Making These Wowbutter Buckeyes 

First, of course, is making sure you have all the right ingredients at hand. I used crunchy Wowbutter for my buckeyes because I had it on hand. However, if you wish to use smooth Wowbutter, that will also work. If you open the butter and discover it’s separated and has oil sitting on top, simply give it a stir to mix the oils back in. In fact, those oils are needed in this recipe, so don’t drain it off. 

Measure one cup of the Wowbutter into a small mixing bowl. To that, add two cups of confectioners’ sugar, aka icing sugar (depending on what region you’re in), and the vanilla extract. You can start to stir that with a fork, but you will quickly realize it needs the added oils from the butter found in regular peanut butter buckeyes. So measure the butter in and continue to work the mixture. 

The good news is that although it’s rather tough to mix this, it’s never going to get overworked. So go nuts. Once it’s mixed together well, you will want to get a plate and line it with wax paper. Can you use parchment instead? Yes, but the chocolate we add after may adhere to the paper more than waxed.

Next, using a spoon, take a small amount of the mixture and roll it in your hands to form a one-inch ball of deliciousness. Resisting the urge to pop one in your mouth will result in being able to make twenty-two one-inch balls. Put the rolled balls covered with plastic wrap on the plate in the fridge for one hour. The chill time is necessary to set the chocolate layer quickly and make the balls less likely to slip when pierced with your tool afterward.

After one hour, measure two cups of Callebaut milk chocolate. This sustainable chocolate is really easy to work with. There is no need for a double boiler, which is good cause I haven’t got one just yet. Instead, pop the chips into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for two minutes. Remove them at the one-minute mark and mix, then return to the microwave for the remaining minute. When you pull them out, some will still appear lumpy. Mix the chocolate around, and the heat from the bowl will melt the remaining chocolate. 

Now, you can use a toothpick or be bold like me and use a chopstick to stick the ball and roll in the chocolate. You can also completely roll them in the chocolate with a spoon to make a no-bake truffle, but you would need more chocolate for this recipe.

So once the Wowbutter Buckeyes are dipped in chocolate with one side exposed as a Buckeye should be, you will pop them back onto the plate, and glaring back at you now is a hole in each of the beautiful no-bake cookies. Yeegads. The original recipe has you poking the hole on top of the ball closed, which seemed continuative to my creative side. 

So, out came the sliced almonds. Finding the best whole sliced almonds dip the large end into the melted chocolate and position it lifted off slightly from the Buckeyes, you guessed it right over those unsightly holes. That’s looking better, but it can be even prettier, can’t it? Taking the end of the tool you used to dip the Wowbutter balls, dip one end in the chocolate and drop a small drop onto the upper side of the sliced almond. Oh my goodness, that’s so pretty. 

You can take this further if you want. Melting a combination of chocolate, maybe white or dark, and drizzle it back and forth if you wish. But I stopped there because they looked good enough to eat. However, they aren’t awe-shucks. No, you have to stick them back into the fridge so the melted chocolate can set back up. But don’t worry, in about an hour or so, you can go ahead and sample the fruits of your labors. The wait is worth it anytime Callebaut chocolate is used, and these are irresistibly good combined with the sweet Wowbutter balls.

Ingredients:

Wowbutter: This all-natural, peanut-free butter is made with soybeans but tastes very similar to peanut butter. It is perfect for those with allergies.

Icing Sugar: This powdered sugar is sweet and can absorb the oils in the butter and Wowbutter.

​Butter: This creamy ingredient makes the balls more stiff when chilled.

Vanilla Extract: This gives the recipe a bit of a deeper flavor.

Milk Chocolate: I used Callebaut Belgian milk chocolate for this recipe. The chocolate chips melt quickly and have a balanced caramel milk chocolate flavor. Note: If you’re in Canada and will be working with chocolate a lot this season or have a chocolate addiction, then you can purchase a large bag of the chocolate at your local National Grocer

Sliced Almonds: Using sliced almonds to garnish created an elevated feel to the traditional Buckeyes recipe.

Substitutions And Add-Ins For These Wowbutter Buckeyes

​Wowbutter: You can make this same recipe using almond butter or regular creamy peanut butter.

Icing Sugar:-Remains-

​Butter: Can be replaced with a firm margarine or plant-based butter.

Vanilla Extract: This can be omitted or replaced with almond extract.

Milk Chocolate: Other milk chocolate brands with good melt-ability are Mercken’s, Ghirardelli, and Lindt Swiss milk chocolate. Of course, if you can find a chocolate bar that is milk chocolate and melts well, that may also be a good option. For example, the Cadbury Dairy Milk bars available in Canada are ideal, too. Just make sure whatever chocolate you go with has a fabulous milky flavor.

Add-ins for these could include mini chocolate chips right in the Buckeye ball, rice crisps, or chopped nuts (if you don’t have allergies.)

You can also vary the type of chocolate used for these balls. Instead of milk chocolate, try melting dark chocolate or creamy white chocolate. Skip the chocolate altogether and roll the balls in crushed cookie crumbs or graham cracker crumbs. To add to the festive holiday season appeal, coat the balls in nonpareils or sprinkles of red and green. 

Expert Tips, Serving, And Storing Suggestions For These Wowbutter Buckeyes.

Tip #1: Ensure Wowbutter is Properly Mixed: Thoroughly stir the Wowbutter to blend any separated oil before measuring. This step is essential because the natural oils help create a smooth, cohesive mixture, preventing the balls from becoming too dry or crumbly.

Tip #2: Dipping Technique: When melting chocolate in the microwave, stirring at the halfway point helps avoid overheating and keeps the texture silky. This method ensures a smooth coating without risking burnt chocolate, which can ruin the flavor and consistency.

Tip #3: Creative Cover-Up for the Hole: Use a decorative almond slice dipped in chocolate to cover the hole left by the dipping tool. This adds a beautiful touch and prevents the exposed part of the Wowbutter from drying out, keeping each buckeye fresh and visually appealing.

To present these beautiful no-bake treats, consider placing them in mini decorative paper cups inside a small gift box or tin lined with parchment paper. The paper cups add a touch of elegance and keep each piece neatly separated, while a clear cellophane window on the box lets their unique almond-topped design shine through.

For a festive touch, drizzle additional chocolate in contrasting colors or add edible gold dust on top. These buckeyes also look lovely arranged on a small serving platter or a tiered stand at gatherings, creating an inviting display. If gifting, tie the box with a ribbon and include a handwritten note with storage instructions for an extra personal touch.

Place these no-bake Wowbutter buckeyes in a sealed container. They will keep in the fridge for up to a week. I do not recommend freezing, as it can make the chocolate ‘bloom’ or develop an unsightly white-gray appearance. Also, the nuts are fragile and harder to store safely in a busy freezer.

If you enjoyed making these Wowbutter buckeyes, please rate and comment! I’d love to hear how you got creative—whether you tried different chocolate, added unique toppings, or found fun ways to gift them. As always, happy no-baking!