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I love no bake treats this time of year! Not only do they make it easy to put together with kids, but a buckeyes recipe with graham crackers like this one is simple to make ahead too. Cute in cookie exchange boxes or dessert trays, this one is a real crowd-pleaser, particularly for the peanut butter lovers out there.
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How to Make Christmas Buckeyes With Graham Crackers
Step 1: Set out the butter to soften. Gather the graham crackers, creamy peanut butter, vanilla, salt, powdered sugar, white almond bark, red and green candy melts, and Christmas sprinkles. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and break each graham cracker sheet in half so you have 48 squares.
Step 2: Add the peanut butter and softened butter to a large bowl and beat until smooth and creamy, then fold in the vanilla and salt.
Step 3: Add the powdered sugar a little at a time and keep mixing until you have a thick, shapeable buckeye filling. The texture will be more like play-doh, formed rather than spreadable.
Step 4: Divide the filling into 24 portions, roll each into a ball, and press it into a square a little smaller than the graham cracker. Set one on each of 24 graham squares. To keep from snapping the cracker, it’s best to form the shape before setting it down on the square.
Step 5: Top each one with a second graham square and press gently until the filling reaches almost to the edges. Refrigerate the sandwiches for 30 minutes.
Step 6: Melt the white almond bark or melting wafers in a microwave-safe casserole dish (or other flat, wide dish) in short bursts, stirring until smooth.
Step 7: Dip each chilled sandwich, turning with a fork, candy dipping tool, or small kitchen tongs (these are in constant rotation in my house) until every side is coated. Let the extra drip off and set the coated sandwich on the second lined baking sheet until the coating sets. Set aside on the counter, or place in the refrigerator to set.
Step 8: In short 15-second bursts on high in the microwave (or the Melt Chocolate setting): Melt the red and green candy melts in separate bowls, stirring frequently. Thin with a little shortening or coconut oil, a teaspoon at a time, if needed to make a coating that will drizzle.
Step 9: Dip any utensil (like a fork or spoon) into each color separately. Drizzle the red across the tops, then the green, and add the sprinkles while the drizzle is still wet.
Step 10: Let the buckeye graham cracker sandwiches stand 20 to 30 minutes at room temperature until the coating and drizzle are completely set.
Tools & Equipment
Pinterest keywords for the tools section: candy dipping tools, parchment paper, hand mixer for buckeyes. Delete this line when it is written.
- 2 large baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Hand mixer
- Large mixing bowl
- Flat, wide microwave-safe casserole dish or plate with sides
- 2 small microwave-safe bowls
- Fork or candy dipping tool
Tips for Success
These are great make ahead Christmas treats. You can get creative with the colored melting wafers, or color your own high quality white chocolate if you prefer that over the candy coating (also called vanilla almond bark or vanilla candy coating). Use a little coconut oil or shortening to thin the coating if it’s too thick to coat well; add a teaspoon at a time and stir well while still warm.
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Christmas Graham Cracker Buckeyes
Ingredients
- 24 graham cracker sheets
- 1 1/2 c creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 c butter softened
- 1 t vanilla extract
- 1/4 t salt optional
- 2 1/2 c powdered sugar
- 48 oz white chocolate melting wafers or white almond bark
- 1/3 c red candy melts
- 1/3 c green candy melts
- 2 t vegetable shortening divided, optional
- 2 T Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Break each graham cracker sheet along the center perforation to make 2 squares, 48 squares total.
- Beat the peanut butter and softened butter in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer until completely smooth. Add the vanilla and salt and mix until combined.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until a thick buckeye-style filling forms. It should be soft enough to shape but firm enough to hold its shape.
- Divide the filling into 24 equal portions. Roll each into a ball, then flatten it into a square slightly smaller than a graham cracker square.
- Place one peanut butter square on each of 24 graham cracker squares. Top with the remaining squares and press gently until the filling spreads almost to the edges.
- Arrange the sandwiches on one prepared baking sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes, until firm and well chilled.
- Microwave the white chocolate wafers or almond bark in a deep bowl in 20 to 30 second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth.
- Dip one chilled sandwich at a time, turning it with a fork until the top, bottom and sides are covered. Let the excess drip off, tap the fork on the bowl, and set it on the second baking sheet. Rewarm the coating for 10 to 15 seconds if it thickens. Let the coating set completely.
- Melt the red candy melts in 20 second intervals, stirring in 1 teaspoon shortening if needed to thin. Drizzle diagonally over the squares.
- Melt the green candy melts the same way with the remaining 1 teaspoon shortening if needed, and drizzle in the opposite direction.
- Decorate with Christmas sprinkles while the drizzle is still wet. Let stand at room temperature 20 to 30 minutes, until fully set.
Notes
- Use regular creamy peanut butter such as Jif or Skippy. Natural peanut butter makes the filling too soft.
- If the filling is too soft to shape, add a little more powdered sugar. If it is crumbly, add a spoonful of peanut butter.
- Chill the sandwiches in the fridge or freezer before dipping to keep the layers from sliding apart.
- A casserole dish with high sides works well to dip the sandwich in white coating.
- Store airtight at cool room temperature for up to 5 days with parchment between layers to keep them from sticking together, refrigerated up to 1 week, or frozen up to 2 months.
Nutrition
The bottom line
These are great in a cookie exchange box, homemade Christmas gifts tied with a bow, or just making your party tray lookin festive and fun without much cooking skill required. Want more Christmas treat recipe ideas?
- NEW: Butterfinger Balls
- Christmas Cookie Bars
- Christmas Tree Brownies
- Christmas Tree Buttercream Board
- Christmas Treats Recipes
- No Fail Christmas Candy
- Snowman Cake Pops
