Buckeye (candy)

Buckeye (candy)

Buckeye candies, resembling the nut of the buckeye tree.

Buckeye candy is a confection made from a combination of peanut butter and chocolate, designed to resemble the nut of the Ohio buckeye tree, which is the state tree of Ohio. This sweet treat is particularly popular in the Midwestern United States, especially in Ohio, where it is often associated with Ohio State University and its sports teams.

Ingredients and Preparation

The primary ingredients in buckeye candy are peanut butter, powdered sugar, and chocolate. The process of making buckeyes involves mixing peanut butter with powdered sugar to form a dough-like consistency. This mixture is then rolled into small balls, which are chilled to firm them up.

Once the peanut butter balls are sufficiently chilled, they are partially dipped in melted chocolate, leaving a small circle of peanut butter visible on the top. This gives the candy its distinctive appearance, mimicking the look of a real buckeye nut.

Cultural Significance

Buckeye candy holds a special place in Ohioan culture, often being made during the holiday season and for tailgating events. The candy's resemblance to the buckeye nut, which is considered a good luck charm, adds to its popularity.

Seeds of the Ohio buckeye tree, which the candy is designed to resemble.

Variations

While the traditional buckeye candy is made with peanut butter and chocolate, variations exist to accommodate different tastes and dietary needs. Some recipes substitute almond butter or sunflower seed butter for peanut butter to create a nut-free version. Others may use white chocolate or dark chocolate instead of the standard milk chocolate.

Related Pages

• Peanut butter cup
• Chocolate truffle
• Ohio State University
• Ohio buckeye