Decadent Buckeye Roll Recipe: Sweet Chocolate-Peanut Heaven

Chocolate and peanut butter lovers unite around this decadent buckeye roll that bridges classic Ohio confection with irresistible dessert dreams.

Sweet nostalgia meets modern culinary creativity in this mouthwatering treat.

Creamy peanut butter nestles inside rich chocolate coating, creating a sensational flavor combination.

Each bite promises pure indulgence with its smooth texture and deep, balanced flavors.

The recipe traces its roots to traditional buckeye candies, now transformed into an elegant rolled dessert.

Minimal ingredients and simple steps make this dessert accessible to bakers of all skill levels.

Prepare to wow your guests with this show-stopping sweet sensation that celebrates the perfect marriage of chocolate and peanut butter.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 37 minutes

Calories: 366 kcal

Servings: 8

Everything That Makes Buckeye Roll So Addictive

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides tender structure and stability for the soft roll cake.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolatey depth and creates beautiful dark color.
• Baking Powder: Ensures light, airy texture and helps cake rise perfectly.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Eggs: Creates volume, binds ingredients, and contributes to smooth texture.
• Sugar: Sweetens and helps create golden, tender cake crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic flavor that complements chocolate.

• Peanut Butter: Delivers classic nutty flavor and creamy consistency.
• Butter: Provides richness and smooth spreadable texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps thicken filling.
• Heavy Cream: Adjusts filling's consistency and adds silky smoothness.

• Chocolate Chips: Creates glossy, rich chocolate coating.
• Heavy Cream: Helps melt chocolate into smooth, luxurious glaze.

Tools You’ll Want for Rolling Buckeye Desserts Right

• Electric Mixer: Essential for beating eggs and sugar to achieve the right texture.
• Medium Bowl: For sifting dry ingredients with precision.
• Large Bowl: To whip eggs and sugar until thick and pale.
• 10×15-inch Jelly Roll Pan: Perfect for creating the thin, even cake base.
• Parchment Paper: Helps with easy cake removal and prevents sticking.
• Clean Kitchen Towel: Used for rolling the warm cake and dusted with powdered sugar.
• Small Saucepan: Needed for heating heavy cream for ganache.
• Heatproof Bowl: Used for mixing chocolate ganache.
• Serving Platter: For presenting and serving the final Buckeye Roll.
• Sifter or Fine Mesh Strainer: Ensures smooth, lump-free dry ingredients.

How to Roll, Chill, and Slice a Perfect Buckeye Roll

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 375F and get a jelly roll pan ready with a light grease and parchment paper blanket.

• Whip Up the Cake Base

Grab your mixer and transform eggs and sugar into a fluffy, pale cloud. Splash in some vanilla for extra magic.

• Blend Dry and Wet

Gently marry your flour, cocoa, and egg mixture until they become best friends, creating a smooth batter.

• Bake to Perfection

Spread the batter evenly in the pan and bake for 10-12 minutes until the cake bounces back when touched.

• Roll with Powdered Sugar

While warm, flip the cake onto a kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar. Carefully peel off the parchment.

• Create the First Roll

From the short side, tightly roll the cake with the towel inside. Let it chill and cool completely.

• Craft Peanut Butter Filling

Whip peanut butter and butter into a creamy dream. Slowly incorporate powdered sugar and a splash of cream.

• Assemble the Roll

Unroll the cooled cake, spread the peanut butter filling edge to edge, then re-roll without the towel.

• Drizzle Chocolate Ganache

Heat cream, pour over chocolate chips, let sit, then stir until silky smooth. Pour over the rolled cake.

• Chill and Serve

Refrigerate for an hour, then slice and enjoy at your preferred temperature.

Flavor Tips to Amp Up the Buckeye Roll Filling

• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake roll a day ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and intensify perfectly.
• Texture Tip: Ensure eggs are at room temperature for maximum volume when beating, creating a lighter, fluffier cake base with incredible softness.
• Gluten-Free Swap: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make this delicious dessert accessible for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use dairy-free milk alternatives, and choose dairy-free chocolate chips to create a completely lactose-free version of this decadent treat.
• Decoration Hack: Sprinkle chopped peanuts, drizzle extra chocolate, or dust with cocoa powder to add visual appeal and create a stunning presentation that wows every single time.

Serve Buckeye Roll at Parties or After Dinner

• Chocolate Lover's Dream: Top the roll with chocolate shavings or cocoa powder for an extra decadent touch that elevates the visual appeal and adds a rich chocolate intensity.
• Party Platter Perfection: Slice the roll into elegant rounds and arrange on a beautiful platter, garnished with fresh mint leaves or sprinkled with chopped peanuts for texture and crunch.
• Dessert Pairing Delight: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a warm mug of coffee to complement the rich peanut butter and chocolate flavors, creating a truly indulgent dessert experience.
• Seasonal Twist: During holidays, dust with powdered sugar or add festive sprinkles to transform this classic dessert into a celebratory centerpiece that will impress guests and family alike.

Store Buckeye Roll Neatly and Keep It Sweet

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store the Buckeye Roll in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring the cake stays moist and ganache remains glossy.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap the entire roll tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil to freeze for 2-3 months, perfect for make-ahead dessert lovers wanting a sweet treat anytime.
• Room Temperature Tips: Remove the cake from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to soften the ganache and restore the cake's delicate texture, allowing flavors to bloom beautifully.
• Smart Portioning: Slice the roll into individual servings before storing, placing wax paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain each piece's elegant presentation.

Indulgent Buckeye Roll Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 37 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Chocolate-loaded buckeye rolls showcase Ohio’s beloved dessert in a delightful pastry form. Sweet peanut butter filling nestled in chocolate dough creates an irresistible treat. Chocolate lovers will savor each rich, memorable bite.

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Ingredients

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• 4 large eggs
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• ¾ cup (95 g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (30 g) cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240 g) creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (250 g) powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsps heavy cream or milk
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• 1 cup (170 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Powdered sugar (for dusting the towel)

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Instructions

1. Prep Foundation: Preheat oven to 375F (190C). Line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper and lightly grease the surface.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt together in a mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry mixture.
3. Egg Transformation: Whip eggs and sugar using an electric mixer until the blend becomes thick and pale, approximately 5 minutes. Fold in vanilla extract for enhanced flavor complexity.
4. Batter Creation: Gently fold dry ingredients into the egg mixture, ensuring smooth and complete integration without overmixing.
5. Baking Process: Spread batter evenly across prepared pan, baking for 10-12 minutes until the cake surface springs back when lightly touched.
6. Towel Rolling Technique: Immediately transfer warm cake onto a powdered sugar-dusted kitchen towel. Carefully peel away parchment paper and roll cake tightly from the short side, keeping towel inside.
7. Filling Preparation: Blend peanut butter and softened butter, gradually incorporating powdered sugar. Adjust consistency with heavy cream or milk until smooth and spreadable.
8. Cake Assembly: Unroll cooled cake, spread peanut butter filling evenly, then re-roll without the towel. Position seam-side down on serving platter.
9. Chocolate Ganache Finish: Heat heavy cream until barely simmering, pour over chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl. Let rest one minute, then stir until smooth and glossy.
10. Final Presentation: Pour ganache over rolled cake, allowing elegant drips along the sides. Refrigerate for one hour to set, then serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

• Control Egg Mixture Consistency: Whip eggs and sugar for exactly 5 minutes to achieve a thick, pale texture that provides the perfect cake structure and lightness.
• Gentle Folding Technique: Incorporate dry ingredients delicately to prevent deflating the aerated egg mixture, ensuring a tender and soft cake roll texture.
• Powdered Sugar Trick: Generously dust the kitchen towel with powdered sugar to prevent sticking and ease the initial cake rolling process without tearing the delicate sponge.
• Temperature Management: Allow cake to cool completely before filling to prevent butter-based filling from melting and compromising the roll’s structural integrity.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 364
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 83 mg