Pour a layer of silky chocolate ganache over the top of creamy peanut butter fudge to create the most amazing Buckeye Fudge. You get all the flavor you love in a Buckeye candy without all the fuss of scooping, rolling, and dipping.
Buckeye Fudge
Don't you just want to reach into your screen and grab a piece of that fudge? Every time I see that picture I have to get up and get myself another piece of this Buckeye Fudge.
I know we've already shared recipes to make Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge, Tiger Butter Fudge, and even Reese's Fudge with you, but this peanut butter chocolate fudge recipe is completely different that those previously shared. This recipe is more traditional using peanut butter, butter, and powdered sugar. I also add a bit of heavy whipping cream to the peanut butter fudge layer to make it really smooth and creamy and I add a pinch of salt to really bring out the peanut butter flavor.
This buckeye fudge is similar to the very first fudge I ever made. I grew up in Buckeye country and enjoyed my first chocolate peanut butter Buckeye when I was a little kid.
What is a buckeye?
- A Buckeye is a tree nut that has a light brown center and a dark brown exterior and some genius cook came up with the idea of dipping peanut butter fudge balls into chocolate, leaving a circle of the fudge uncovered, so that the candies looked like buckeyes.
- Buckeye candies would be the official candy of Ohio if there was such a thing. The buckeye tree is our state tree.
- When I moved to Kentucky and opened my first candy store back in the 80s and tried to sell buckeyes I had to explain what they were to my customers. It took a while for them to catch on.
- Thanks to the internet buckeyes have become popular nationwide and beyond.
- You can see my easy Chocolate Buckeye recipe over on my Hungry Happenings blog.
Buckeyes are great but they do take a bit of time to scoop, roll, and dip, so when you just don't want to spend that kind of time, you can make this easy buckeye fudge instead.
To make this fudge you will start by making a layer of easy peanut butter fudge. Then top it with a layer of chocolate ganache. Other recipes top the peanut butter fudge with a layer of condensed milk chocolate fudge but I prefer the texture of the ganache on this very soft fudge.
If you'd prefer to try it the other way, cut our Chocolate Fudge Recipe in half and spread it over the peanut butter fudge. I'm sure it's delicious when it's made that way too, but I'll stick with the layer of ganache.
How to make easy Buckeye Fudge:
Ingredients:
- creamy peanut butter - Use your favorite brand, I choose Jif.
- butter - If you use salted butter, reduce the amount of salt in this recipe.
- heavy whipping cream - This is a must for making ganache plus it adds richness to the peanut butter fudge too.
- salt
- powdered sugar - It adds sweetness and a soft texture to the peanut butter fudge layer.
- chocolate - Choose a good quality chocolate that has a flavor you like. I used Hershey's Special Dark chips.
Microwave instructions:
- Combine creamy peanut butter, small cubes of butter, heavy whipping cream, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Heat it on high power for 3o seconds, then stir, a
- Then heat it for another 30 seconds then stir.
- If it's not all melted keep heating for 10-second increments, stirring after each until melted.
- Stir in the powdered sugar until well blended.
- Spread the peanut butter fudge into an even layer in an 8-inch square pan that has been lined with either non-stick tin foil or parchment paper.
- Set aside.
- Place finely chopped chocolate or chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Pour heavy whipping cream over the chocolate.
- Heat at 50% power for 1 minute.
- Remove and stir using a rubber spatula or spoon.
- Heat at 50% power for 45 seconds then let the bowl sit in the microwave for 3 minutes.
- Remove and begin stirring in the center of the bowl. Create small circles at first until the cream and chocolate start to come together then make the circles bigger and bigger until all the cream and chocolate have become emulsified.
- If the chocolate has not all melted then heat at 50% power for 15 seconds then remove and stir.
- Stir in 1 tablespoon of cold heavy whipping cream.
- By heating the cream and chocolate slowly and then adding a splash of cold cream you will ensure the chocolate maintains its temper (the crystal structure of the chocolate and cocoa butter) and won't become grainy. If you rush and heat it too much your ganache layer may end up with white spots and streaks throughout.
- Pour the chocolate ganache over the peanut butter fudge layer.
- Cover the fudge using tin foil (but don't allow the foil to touch the chocolate ganache. Then set the pan aside for 3-4 hours until the ganache firms up.
- Cut the fudge into 36 squares.
- To make nice clean cuts, have a tall glass of hot water and some paper towels on hand.
- Make one slice then dip the knife in the hot water then clean it off using a paper towel.
- Repeat making cuts and cleaning the knife until the fudge is cut into 36 pieces.
I don't advise refrigeration of this fudge as the chocolate ganache may crystalize or become too soft to cut nicely.
Learn more about making easy fudge, how to package it, how to store it, how to line a pan, and more on our How To Make Easy Fudge FAQ page.
You can find supplies needed to make this fudge on amazon.com (commission earned for sales)
Video
Be sure to watch the video to see how to make this easy Buckeye fudge.
Recipe
A layer of soft peanut butter fudge is topped with a layer of silky chocolate ganache. This buckeye fudge has all the flavor of a buckeye candy but is so much easier to make.
- Peanut Butter Layer
- 2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- Chocolate Ganache Layer
- 12 ounces dark chocolate
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
Heat peanut butter, butter, heavy whipping cream, and salt in the microwave at high power for 1 minute, stirring after each 30-second increment.
If not completely melted, heat for additional 10-second bursts of high power, stirring after each until melted.
Stir in the powdered sugar until completely blended.
Spread into an even layer in an 8-inch square pan that has been lined with non-stick tin foil or parchment paper then set aside.
Reserve 1 tablespoon of the heavy whipping cream for later then pour the rest over the dark chocolate.
Heat at 50% power in the microwave for 1 minute. Remove and stir.
Heat at 50% power for 45 seconds then let sit in the microwave for 3 minutes.
Remove and start stirring in the center of the bowl until the chocolate and cream begin to emulsify (come together). Then, make the circle bigger and continue to stir until the ganache becomes shiny and smooth.
If all the chocolate is not melted, heat on 50% power for 15 seconds then stir again.
Once all the chocolate melts, add the reserved 1 tablespoon of heavy whipping cream and stir until just blended.
Pour over the peanut butter fudge layer and spread it into an even layer.
Cover and set aside for 3-4 hours until the ganache firms up enough to cut into 36 pieces.
Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.
If you want to make something fun using a Buckeye fudge Recipe check out these...
These adorable chocolate bears are filled with yummy peanut butter fudge.
Be sure to check out these other easy fudge recipes...
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Fudge
- Hot Chocolate Fudge - November 14, 2023
- white chocolate macadamia nut fudge - June 12, 2023
- easy hot fudge sauce - May 19, 2023
Kennedy
I'm from Ohio so this buckeye fudge looks amazing!
Beth
From on Ohioan to another, this is a fabulously easy version of a traditional buckeye.
Rebecca Newton
This fudge tastes just like buckeyes but is so much easier to make. My family loved it and didn't complain that I didn't make round buckeye balls.
Beth
We are so happy that you enjoyed this easy fudge!