Buckeye Roll Recipe

Quick & Peanutty Buckeye Roll Recipe: Sweet Holiday Magic

Sweet chocolate and peanut butter buckeye rolls dance with nostalgic flavors from ohio’s beloved treat.

Childhood memories swirl around these delectable confections crafted with simple ingredients.

Rich peanut butter centers dipped in smooth chocolate create irresistible bite-sized delights.

Midwest tradition meets sweet indulgence in this classic dessert that everyone adores.

Small gatherings or big parties come alive with these delightful morsels.

Each buckeye roll promises a perfect balance of creamy and decadent textures.

You won’t be able to resist another bite of these heavenly confections.

Dive into this recipe and experience a taste of pure bliss.

Pairing Ideas for Buckeye Roll You’ll Love

  • A full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon complements the rich chocolate and nutty flavors, cutting through the sweetness while enhancing the dessert's decadence.
  • A strong espresso provides a perfect counterpoint to the sweet peanut butter filling, its intense coffee notes balancing the dessert's creamy texture.
  • Cold, fresh chocolate milk offers a classic childhood-inspired pairing that amplifies the chocolate and peanut butter notes, creating a nostalgic and comforting taste experience.
  • A smooth hazelnut or almond cream liqueur like Frangelico adds depth, echoing the peanut butter's nuttiness and creating a luxurious adult dessert moment.

Variants of Buckeye Roll to Play Around With

  • Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or a gluten-free blend to make the cake safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.
  • Vegan Adaptation: Swap eggs with aquafaba or flax eggs, use coconut cream instead of dairy cream, and substitute vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate chips for a plant-based friendly dessert.
  • Low-Sugar Alternative: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of sugar, and reduce the powdered sugar in the filling to create a diabetic-friendly version with lower glycemic impact.
  • Nut-Free Option: Replace peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or coconut butter for those with nut allergies, ensuring the same creamy texture and rich flavor profile.

FAQs About the Buckeye Roll

  • What are the key ingredients for the Buckeye Roll?

The key ingredients include flour, cocoa powder, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, and chocolate chips.

  • How difficult is this recipe to make?

This recipe requires intermediate baking skills, with careful steps like rolling a cake, making a filling, and creating a ganache topping. It’s not recommended for absolute beginners.

  • Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute regular flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just ensure the blend is suitable for cake-like recipes and has a similar texture to all-purpose flour.

The name comes from the similarity of the chocolate and peanut butter combination to the traditional Buckeye candy from Ohio, which resembles the nut from a buckeye tree.

What Makes the Buckeye Roll a Winning Dessert

  • Surprisingly easy roll that looks professionally crafted with straightforward steps anyone can master.
  • Perfect for potlucks, birthday celebrations, holiday gatherings, or weekend family dessert time that impresses everyone without complex techniques.
  • Takes approximately 30-40 minutes total preparation time, delivering a stunning chocolate and peanut butter dessert that looks like it came from a gourmet bakery.
  • Features incredible combination of soft chocolate cake, creamy peanut butter filling, and rich chocolate ganache that creates multiple delightful layers of taste and mouthfeel.

Buckeye Roll Ingredient Rundown

Cake Base Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Essential dry ingredient for cake structure and texture.
  • Cocoa Powder: Provides rich chocolate flavor and dark color.
  • Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor balance.
Wet Cake Ingredients:
  • Eggs: Creates structure and provides richness to the cake.
  • Sugar: Sweetens and helps with cake's moisture and browning.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and subtle flavor enhancement.
Filling and Topping Ingredients:
  • Peanut Butter, Butter: Creamy base for filling with rich, smooth texture.
  • Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the filling.
  • Heavy Cream or Milk: Adjusts filling consistency and adds smoothness.
  • Chocolate Chips: Creates glossy ganache topping with intense chocolate flavor. Dark or semi-sweet recommended for best results.
Preparation Ingredients:
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents cake from sticking during baking.
  • Powdered Sugar: Used for dusting towel to prevent cake from sticking.

How to Craft a Tidy and Tasty Buckeye Roll

Step 1: Prepare The Oven And Pan

Crank the oven to 375F (190C). Grab a 10-15-inch jelly roll pan, grease it thoroughly, and line with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and sift together:
  • Flour
  • Cocoa powder
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Step 3: Create Egg Base

In a large bowl, whip eggs and sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes thick and pale, around 5 minutes. Splash in vanilla extract.

Step 4: Combine Batter

Gently fold dry ingredients into egg mixture until perfectly blended.

Step 5: Bake The Cake

Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes until cake springs back when touched.

Step 6: Roll Warm Cake

While cake is warm, flip onto a kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar. Remove parchment paper. Roll cake tightly with towel inside. Cool completely.

Step 7: Craft Peanut Butter Filling

Beat together:
  • Peanut butter
  • Softened butter

Gradually add powdered sugar. Mix in heavy cream or milk one tablespoon at a time until smooth.

Step 8: Fill And Re-Roll Cake

Unroll cooled cake. Spread peanut butter filling evenly. Re-roll cake without towel, seam-side down on serving platter.

Step 9: Create Chocolate Ganache

Heat heavy cream in small saucepan until simmering. Pour over chocolate chips in heatproof bowl. Let sit one minute, then stir until silky smooth.

Step 10: Decorate And Chill

Drizzle ganache over rolled cake, allowing delicious drips down sides. Refrigerate for one hour.

Step 11: Serve And Enjoy

Slice and serve chilled or at room temperature. Savor every delightful bite!

Smart Suggestions for Buckeye Roll Bakers

  • Prevent Cake Cracking: Dust the kitchen towel generously with powdered sugar to help the cake roll smoothly without sticking or tearing.
  • Achieve Creamy Filling: Beat peanut butter and butter until completely smooth, ensuring no lumps remain for a silky texture.
  • Control Ganache Consistency: Heat cream just until simmering, not boiling, to create a perfectly glossy chocolate topping that drips beautifully.
  • Customize Dietary Needs: Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version of this decadent dessert.
  • Master Rolling Technique: Roll the cake while still warm to prevent cracking and set the shape before adding filling for a professional-looking result.

Best Ways to Keep Buckeye Roll Fresh

  • Store the Buckeye Roll in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping it covered to prevent drying out.
  • Cover the roll tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil before refrigerating to maintain moisture and freshness.
  • Bring the cake to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture.
  • Wrap the entire roll or individual slices in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months, thawing overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
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Buckeye Roll Recipe

Buckeye Roll Recipe


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4.7 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 37 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Creamy chocolate and peanut butter merge in this classic buckeye roll, delivering Ohio’s beloved dessert with rich, smooth layers of sweet indulgence. Chocolate-dipped goodness awaits you in each irresistible bite of this nostalgic treat.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Cake Ingredients:

  • 4 large eggs
  • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup (95 g) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup (30 g) cocoa powder

Cake Preparation Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Powdered sugar (for dusting the towel)

Filling and Topping Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (240 g) creamy peanut butter
  • ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (250 g) powdered sugar
  • 23 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
  • 1 cup (170 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 375F (190C) and readying a 10-15-inch jelly roll pan with grease and parchment paper.
  2. Sift dry ingredients including flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into a medium mixing bowl.
  3. Utilize an electric mixer to whip eggs and sugar until the mixture transforms into a thick, pale consistency, approximately 5 minutes. Incorporate vanilla extract.
  4. Delicately integrate the dry ingredient mixture into the egg blend, ensuring complete incorporation.
  5. Distribute the batter uniformly across the prepared pan, then bake for 10-12 minutes until the cake responds with a springy texture when gently touched.
  6. While the cake remains warm, transfer it onto a kitchen towel generously dusted with powdered sugar, carefully removing the parchment paper.
  7. Tightly roll the cake from a short side, keeping the towel inside, and allow it to cool completely.
  8. Create a creamy filling by blending peanut butter and softened butter. Gradually introduce powdered sugar, then thin with heavy cream or milk until achieving a smooth, spreadable consistency.
  9. Gently unroll the cooled cake and apply the peanut butter filling evenly across the surface. Roll the cake again, this time without the towel, positioning the seam underneath on a serving platter.
  10. Prepare chocolate ganache by heating heavy cream until it barely simmers, then pouring over chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl. Allow to rest for one minute before stirring to a smooth finish.
  11. Cascade the ganache over the rolled cake, allowing it to elegantly drip along the sides.
  12. Refrigerate the Buckeye Roll for a minimum of one hour to set, then serve either chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Swap cocoa powder with black cocoa for a deeper, more intense chocolate flavor that elevates the entire dessert.
  • Use room temperature eggs to ensure maximum volume and a fluffier cake texture when beating with sugar.
  • Create gluten-free version by replacing wheat flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend for those with dietary restrictions.
  • Prevent cake cracking by rolling it while warm and using a generous dusting of powdered sugar on the kitchen towel to help prevent sticking and maintain smooth cake surface.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 366
  • Sugar: 29 g
  • Sodium: 210 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 37 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 81 mg
Jamie Granger

Jamie Granger

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

  • Fusion Cuisine Development
  • Recipe Development and Food Styling
  • Culinary Writing and Content Creation
  • Nutrition and Healthy Cooking​

Education

Culinary Institute of America

  • Degree: Associate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasis on flavor development, classic and contemporary culinary techniques, menu design, and global cuisine preparation; combined with food-service management, communication, and finance training; and immersive hands‑on restaurant operations through paid industry internships.

Jamie Granger turns ingredients into memories. With her recipes, she brings a fusion-forward flair to every creation. 

Her dishes reflect the places she’s explored, the chefs she’s learned from, and the deep connection she has to food as a form of expression. 

At Pass and Provision, Jamie develops recipes that balance flavor, health, and beauty, meals that don’t just satisfy your appetite but speak to your curiosity.

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