Homemade Buckeye Bars: Delicious, Easy and Crunchy

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If you’re looking for a delicious, easy, and crunchy treat this holiday season, then look no further than homemade buckeye bars.

Buckeye Bars are a delicious, easy, and crunchy dessert that people of all ages enjoy. Buckeyes have been around for a long time, but they didn’t get their name until the 1930s when some were made with peanut butter instead of chocolate. In this post, we will show you how to make buckeye bars from scratch so you can enjoy them anytime!

Where did the name Buckeye come from?

The name Buckeye comes from the Ohio state tree, which is the buckeye tree. The nuts of this tree are poisonous, but the sweet flesh inside is delicious.

It is a goofy story:

You may have heard of the Ohio buckeye, also known as an American Buckeye. Captain Daniel Davis had this tree named after him when he declared that any trees felled west of the river would be called “buckeyes” in honor of their hardiness and strength across all seasons! 

The people of Ohio would take the name and make it their own, down to their college mascots. In fact, the Ohio State University began using it as its nickname officially in 1950. Soon the candy followed — with a design that would imitate the actual tree’s nut. Buckeye candies are basically a peanut butter fudge is a ball of creamy goodness, dipped in milk chocolate. A small circle still shows the delicious nutty flavor that’s hidden beneath that chocolate shell.

Everyone loves chocolate-covered peanut butter balls, and this recipe transforms them into Buckeye Bars that everyone can enjoy. Chocolate, nuts, and crunch come together to make an amazing treat for anyone who tries them out. These Buckeye Bars are easy to make, and they taste fantastic. These are basically a no bake recipe – as you do not bake peanut butter bars in this recipe like the ones that use powdered sugar or even graham crackers like typical buckeye bars. It will be one of the easy recipes you keep on hand for all of you who love peanut butter treats.

How do you make Buckeye Bars?

Well, this is a Buckeye Bars recipe with peanut butter. We add the puffed rice cereal for that texture and crunch – not to mention the fact that it is a budget-friendly filler.

What is the best peanut butter to use?

Generally speaking, any peanut butter that doesn’t contain xylitol (or chocolate) should be fine for the entire family, including the dog. It can be a good source of protein and healthy fat — in moderation, of course. However, some peanut butter is healthier than others. We like to opt for natural peanut butter – or even organic.

I like to use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy peanut butter for a better texture.

How do you store Buckeye Bars?

You put them into an airtight container and leave them at room temperature.

Traditional Buckeye Bars are a great “go to” recipe when you find yourself with an abundance of peanut butter or cereal. Some people call these “Special K” bars…we just call them Yummy! This recipe uses 3/4 less sugar than most recipes I have seen and it uses brown sugar instead of the white that most people use.

We talked just a few weeks ago about how white food is bad for you (white four, sugar, rice, bread, potatoes, etc) so this small step makes it a tad healthier. (OK, I am just living in the world that makes a huge difference on this sweet treat!) However, it does use white corn syrup, it just can’t be avoided here, sorry!

These are SUPER easy to make and very tasty! Enjoy

Buckeye Bars Recipe with Rice Krispies

–> You can use Special K cereal instead of Rice Krispies if you are in a pinch, or want to add a little nutritional value.

Buckeye Bars Ingredients:

• 1 cup white Karo syrup
• 1 cup peanut butter
• ¼ cup brown sugar – it really only uses a little brown sugar
• 6 cups Special K or Rice Krispies Cereal
• 1½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1½ cup butterscotch chips

How to make Buckeye Bars:

Put all of the cereal in a large bowl.

Melt the Karo syrup, peanut butter, and brown sugar on the stove and bring to boil; stirring often.

Pour the peanut butter mixture over the cereal and mix it together.

Put your peanut butter layer into a lightly greased 9 × 13-inch pan. There is no need to use parchment paper or even create use foil handles on the bottom of the pan – the cooking spray should do the job.

Melt the chocolate and butterscotch chips. You can do this together or separately if you want to see a fancier finished product.

You can use your double boiler on medium-low heat to melt chocolate chips or simply place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and zap that microwaveable bowl for a minute at a time until that chocolate is melted.

Pour the melted chocolate mixture on top of the bars and spread it out.

Pour the melted butterscotch chips on top of the chocolate and then use the back end of your spoon or spatula to create a swirl pattern.

Let stand so the top can harden before cutting it to serve. Let’s face it, you will make a whole extra batch so you won’t have to share. I like to get 12 squares a batch, but you will get more if you cut them into small squares.

You now have your Buckeye Balls in bar form with this great recipe.

Other dessert recipes you may like to try:

• The Best Banana Oatmeal Cookies You Could Ever Eat
• Pumpkin Rice Krispy Treats
• Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
• Beyond Sinful Brownie PMS Dip
• Simple Caramel Churro Cookies
• Delicious Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars
• Start the Day with Kix Cereal Bars
• How to Make the Best Pumpkin Crisp Cake
• Homemade Treats – Puppy Chow and Cracker Candy
• The Best Boozy Creamy Lemon Bars Recipe
• Toffee Cookie Bars

Print off the recipe here: