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Going back to my hometown roots today.
I may live in Colorado, but I will always be an Ohio girl. I am pretty sure I could never live there again (nope, positive), but it’s where I spent a big chunk of my life and where all of my extended family still lives. So, it will always be apart of me… and I like that. Plus, it’s where I learned all about buckeyes!
I don’t know what about Ohio made me think of this random thought, maybe all the farms… and green, but someday I hope to live on a farm. A big farm in the middle of nowhere. Yup, that’s my dream. The simple life, nothin fancy, pick up trucks, tall boots(!!), rows of vegetables, cows all over and trees for miles. Preferably I would love this farm to be in the mountains somewhere, because I really do love the mountains and even when I leave them for a few days I am always excited to see them again upon return. The problem is that farming is not all that conducive as high up as we are. That’s not stopping me from trying to talk my dad into becoming a full on farmer though (wish me luck). We have the land, we have the chickens (who are going to be laying eggs any day now!), we just need a new barn (no – not the one we are renovating for me to move into – a new one) and um, lot’s of animals. Oh, and definitely some warmer temps so all my veggies and herbs do not freeze. That’ll be a tricky one. Ahh well, a girl can dream. Greenhouses are cool too!
Maybe someday though.
So anyway, Sunday I was really feeling like buckeyes. The Browns had just won their first game of the season and it was just time to celebrate… err more like it had been too long since I last made buckeyes and everybody in the house was just craving them.
Last year I made this Buckeye Cake that I will remember forever and ever. It’s so flipping good and not to mention a total show stopper. If you want to impress, make this cake. People kind of go “WOW” when they see it.
This year though, I am just feeling a little simpler. It’s this new phrase I have repeating in my head “everything should be simple”. Or well, at least that is what I sometimes have going on my head. It really just depends on the day or even the hour. Truth is, I am all over the place. One hour I am all about simplifying and the next, I’m making something with five different parts. Crazy? Yes, that would be me for sure.
Whenever I make buckeyes, I never actually use a lot of powdered sugar. I have always made them on the healthier side, but then I wondered if I could make them even healthier and possibly include some of my favorite seasonal ingredients.
So I tried and believe it or not, my first attempt worked perfectly. So good and not even the pickiest brother knew there was anything different about these buckeyes. They asked though, because they know me. You see they were surprised I was making something so normal, but I fibbed and told them there was nothing very different about these buckeyes. They ate um, loved um, and now they’re all gone.
FYI, the brother test is the test is like feeding a lie detector, it never fails!
I am a little scared to tell you what I made these with, but just be open to them. I promise they taste just like any other sugar laden buckeye.
These Healthy Harvest Buckeyes (harvest for the healthy ingredients loaded into these buckeyes) are a combo of beans, applesauce, pumpkin, vanilla, salt and peanut butter. I know, sounds so gross, but I promise you’ll taste zero pumpkin and zero applesauce. The beans just add a creamy texture, no taste at all. DO NOT BE FREAKED. Remember, the brother test never fails.
And then of course, lots of chocolate.
See what I mean when I say healthy? Seriously, these have like a zero guilt factor and it’s pretty amazing how good they are. Plus, they are no bake, no fuss, vegan and gluten-free too!
Whoa – I do not even know who I am today.
Healthy (Harvest) Buckeyes.
Ingredients
- 1 (14 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained + rinsed
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- Pinch of sea salt
- 10 ounces dark or semi-sweet chocolate, melted (use vegan chocolate if needed)
Instructions
- Line two cookie sheets with wax paper.
- In the bowl of a food processor, add the cannellini beans and puree until mostly smooth. Add the applesauce, pumpkin, coconut oil and vanilla. Puree until completely smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes, scrapping down the sides if needed. Add the peanut butter and salt, process another minute.
- Scoop 1/2 tablespoon size amounts of dough out and roll into a rough ball. Place on the prepared cookie sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough, cover the pans and place in the fridge for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, remove the balls from the fridge and roll them once more between your hands to smooth the balls out. Stick a toothpick into the top of each ball. Cover the cookie sheets and place them in the freezer for at least 45 minutes, but not too much longer than an hour.
- Just before removing the balls from the freezer melt the chocolate over a double broiler or in the microwave.
- Working with one ball at a time, dip the frozen balls into the chocolate leaving a small opening at the top so the peanut butter can peak out. Place the balls back on the cookie sheet. Repeat with the remaining balls. Store in the fridge until ready to eat. These are best straight out of the fridge with some cold milk!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Tomorrow though, there is probably going to be a lot of cheese. Just a fair warning.
Fun to learn you’re originally from Ohio and a Browns fan (me too)! Such an interesting version of Buckeyes!!! Can’t wait to try ’em!
Thanks so much!! 🙂
Congrats on the win Sunday!
I had no idea you were from Ohio! Love the healthy buckeye recipe, on the “to make” list for sure!
Thank you so much, Sarah!
Tieghan, I love how you healthified my favorite treat with sneaky beans (and pumpkin puree = brilliant)! I spent my young-young years in Ohio and am glad I live close enough for weekend jaunts these days. There’s just something about those rolling green hills and gorgeous forests!
I agree, it is so pretty!!
Thanks so much, Amy!
I’m just like Laura, never made or eaten these babies…but this is all gonna change now!!
You will love them!! High protein too!
Hello, genius Tieghan! I love buckeyes and now healthier….they don’t stand a chance!!
Thank Meg!! 🙂
They have been devoured over here!
Can you believe I’ve never made (or eaten) a buckeye before? I have to change that!
No way!! You have to try them, peanut butter and chocolate heaven! 🙂
I’ve never had a buckeye, but I will be making these for sure. Love all the ingredients in this recipe Tieghan!
Thanks Kathy! You have to give buckeyes a try. So good!
I had to laugh at “the brother test”. I think the “husband test” is the exact same! Never fails.
Can you believe that I haven’t ever had a buckeye? BUT I do like my healthy treats, so these look like they WIN! Pinned!
Ha! Yup, that sounds about right! 🙂
Thanks so much, Taylor!
I’ve been making buckets since I was in high school but I need to watch what I eat so I would go to Grater’s ice cream and buy three.
Now I can make them at home again—-THANK YOU.
SORRY BUCKEYES–darn Kindle–LOL.
Oh these are perfect for you then. I think you will love them! 🙂
Loving these! Can’t wait to try them!
Thanks Rachel!!
woah! healthy buckeyes made with all these yummy healthy ingredients…. mind blown and totally sold! another genius recipe!
Thanks so much very much, Holly!
Wow!!! This is a genius way to make these healthy. Love it!!! I can see that the peanut butter would rule the taste and no one would ever know.
The peanut butter truly does rule the taste, it is incredible! Thanks Charlotte!
I love buckeyes and I can’t believe how healthy you were able to make them. The original recipe calls for a boat load of sugar and for you to make them look exactly the same without all that sugar is pure genius. Have to try them..the texture looks exactly the same and as you say if it passed the brother test were good.
The texture is spot on. I could not believe how good the turn out!
Thanks!
As a born and raised Ohioan, I always love when you bring back the Buckeye goodness 😀
Ya!! Thank you so much, Liz! 🙂
I had never heard of Buckeyes, as it is not a communicatie thing in the Netherlands, but I must say I really like your recipe! And they are a healthy snack as well!
Oh I hope you try them then!! Thanks so much!