Buckeye (candy)

Despite recipes for chocolate covered peanut butter confections dating back to the early 20th century, Ohio resident Gail Tabor is widely credited with the creation of candy as it is recognized today. In 1964, Tabor was making candy from her mother's recipe for chocolate covered peanut butter candies. When dipping the candy into the chocolate, the candy didn't cover the peanut butter ball completely and her husband commented that looked like the buckeye nut. She continued to make the candies this way for years for the annual OSU-Michigan football game in support of the OSU Buckeyes. Despite Tabor's refusal to share the recipe, the recipe appeared in the Ohio State Alumni Magazine in 1973 with the recipe attributed to a friend. In 1983, Tabor wrote an article for the Arizona Republic newspaper to re-claim her authorship of the recipe, outline the backstory, and share her recipe for the candies, Buckeye Balls. == Popularity ==

Over 6 million of pieces of the buckeye candy are produced and sold each year in addition to those made at home, and it regularly tops polls for favorite candies among its residents. At the Anthony-Thomas Candy Company in Columbus, Ohio, buckeyes are their best selling candy, with over 24 million pieces sold in 2024, and their plant can produce up to 147,000 buckeyes per day. Showcasing the buckeyes wider appeal, the buckeye candies from Anthony-Thomas have been featured on multiple outlets including Good Morning America, Fox Sports, and QVC where they sold out. The company keeps a 235-pound buckeye on display and for sale in their headquarters shop. The company's buckeye candies are available in multiple grocery stores as well as Dollar General and Cracker Barrel stores across the United States. In 2018, TourismOhio partnered with the Miami County Visitors Bureau to create an official map of over 30 shops throughout Ohio that produced and sold the buckeye candy. In 2025, the Ohio State Legislature passed a bill to make the buckeye candy the official state candy. == Variations ==

The traditional buckeye candy is composed of milk chocolate and peanut butter, but there are many variations to this standard recipe. One variation that is gaining popularity is adding ingredients to the center of the peanut butter ball. A shop in Columbus called The Buckeye Lady, has gained local acclaim for her stuffed buckeye candies with over 75 different flavors on offer. These stuffed buckeye variations are even sold at the OSU stadium during football games. In 2022, a vendor at the Ohio State Fair offered a deep-fried buckeye that was offered wrapped in bacon and dusted with powdered sugar. The candy has also inspired other treats flavored with the peanut butter and chocolate combination. Local Ohio ice creameries like Graeter's and Jeni's Spendid Ice Creams have both produced an ice cream homage to the buckeye. Throughout the state stores offer buckeye flavored coffee, pies, donuts, waffles, and granola among others. The buckeye candy itself is also often added to milkshakes, cupcakes, sundaes, and even snack mixes. There are also dog-safe options available using carob instead of dog-toxic chocolate and minimal sugar for dogs to enjoy as well. == See also ==