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Keto Buckeye Cookies

These keto buckeye cookies make the perfect low-carb chocolate & peanut butter treat. They are low in carbs, gluten-free, and sugar-free!

It’s a low-carb buckeye cookie recipe that uses simple ingredients, making it a great way to enjoy a sweet treat while on a keto diet.

In my book, these buckeye cookies are special because they combine two of my favorites, chocolate, and peanut butter, for a sugar-free, gluten-free option you can enjoy even if you’re not watching your carbs.

Winning!

And because these cookies are so decadent, one cookie will satisfy your cravings. If that’s not a winning low-carb cookie recipe, I don’t know what is.

Clocking in at only 2.9 grams of net carbs per serving, these delicious low-carb cookies can be enjoyed on a keto diet since they won’t raise your blood sugar levels.

As a fan of low-carb cookies, be sure to check out our entire collection of keto cookie recipes for more tasty options.

And make sure you also check out our Keto Peanut Butter Recipes for other delicious recipes that any peanut butter lover will enjoy.

Low-Carb Buckeye Cookies

Best Keto BUCKEYE COOKIES
Keto buckeye cookies

This recipe for sugar-free buckeyes reminds me of Reese’s peanut butter cups and has a similar flavor profile to my keto peanut butter fat bombs.

Plus, these keto chocolate peanut butter swirl cookies also have a similar flavor profile but are made with almond flour.

The fact that it’s a cookie recipe for buckeyes makes them a great on-the-go low-carb snack, unlike buckeye candies that need refrigeration.

Ingredients Needed

keto buckeye cookies with topped with a drizzle of chocolate icing
keto buckeye cookies topped with a drizzle of chocolate icing

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Note that the full printable recipe card and nutritional information are at the bottom of the page.

These are rich buckeye cookies that melt in your mouth but that you can somehow still sink your teeth into. I hope that describes this cookie adequately.

The addition of cream cheese to low-carb cookies gives a deep richness to the cookie dough and, frankly, intensifies the buttery flavor.

Tools You’ll Need

  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Cooling rack
  • Electric mixer, hand mixer, or stand-up mixer
  • Large mixing bowl for the cookie dough
  • Separate bowl for the peanut butter layer and chocolate icing

How To Make Keto Buckeye Cookies

Keto buckeye cookies process pictures
Keto buckeye cookies process pictures

Making these delicious sugar-free buckeye cookies is pretty straightforward. The following are the steps you need to take to get the best results:

Begin by allowing your eggs, cream cheese, and butter to come to room temperature.

Then preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper or lightly butter the cookie sheet.

Melt the baking chocolate in a double boiler or microwave using 20-second intervals, being sure to stir each time. Then, set it aside.

Next, in a large bowl, stand-up mixer, or handheld electric mixer, beat the butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and granulated sugar substitute on the high setting for 3–4 minutes until light and fluffy.

Be sure to scrape the bowl with a spatula several times to ensure the mixture is fully incorporated.

Once well combined, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

To the cookie dough, add the melted chocolate and beat the dough until thoroughly mixed.

Next, carefully measure the dry ingredients—the coconut flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt, and add them to the wet ingredients, ensuring they combine well.

It’s essential when measuring coconut flour that you do not pack the flour into a measuring cup.

I like adding it by tablespoons into the measuring cup to ensure it’s correct. Once the coconut flour is measured, add the baking powder and salt to the bowl and combine.

Then, using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon, add the chocolate cookie dough balls onto the parchment-lined baking sheet about an inch apart and gently press down on each cookie with your fingers to slightly flatten the center of the cookies.

low carb buckeye cookies
low-carb buckeye cookies

Next, proceed to make the peanut butter layer for these buckeye cookies.

To do so, in a small bowl, using a spatula, combine the creamy peanut butter with the sugar-free confectioner’s sugar substitute and a pinch of salt until well combined.

Then, roll into 24 one-inch balls and set aside.

Bake the cookies for about 12–15 minutes.

Press a peanut butter ball into the center immediately after the cookies come out of the oven.

Transfer to a wire rack and allow the cookies to cool before adding the icing.

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I recommend making the sugar-free chocolate icing while the cookies cool. Do not make the icing before to ensure it doesn’t begin to set, and make it challenging to add the icing to the cookies.

To make the keto-friendly chocolate icing, melt the baking chocolate as you did for the cookie dough.

Then melt the coconut oil and butter, add the melted chocolate, and mix well.

Add the powdered sugar-free sweetener and salt to this mixture.

Store the cookies in the refrigerator in an airtight container or in the freezer for up to five days or three weeks.

Choosing Your Peanut Butter

sugar-free peanut butter layer
sugar-free peanut butter layer

Regarding which peanut butter to use for this buckeye cookie recipe, there are some careful considerations you need to make to ensure success. For one, it should be a sugar-free option.

I know that’s not easy to source, but some of my favorite options are:

All these brands have zero sugar and are creamy.

The consistency is as close as possible to the stuff we grew up on, minus all the extras.

With that being said, if you can’t easily order that brand, you could use all-natural peanut butter that needs to be stirred.

Best Sugar Substitutes

keto buckeye cookies served
keto buckeye cookies served

As far as sweeteners are concerned for these sugar-free buckeye cookies, I recommend the use of Lakanto’s granulated sugar substitute. It’s their erythritol and monk fruit sweetener that is as close to sugar as it gets.

I’m also partial to the brand Swerve, which is an erythritol blend. Like Lakanto, it uses sugar alcohols and has a 0 % impact on blood sugar.

You could also use the stevia and erythritol-based brand Pyure if you prefer to use a stevia-based sweetener.

I will add that we are not sure why, but chocolate and stevia do not always go together well and can intensify the aftertaste of stevia.

Note that if this is your choice, reduce the amount called for in the recipe by half since it’s a much sweeter option.

Lastly, if you can’t easily find a more natural sugar substitute, you can also use Splenda successfully.

I know not everyone would agree with me here, and I respect that, but in my book, it’s still better than regular sugar.

However, when it comes to icing, you must use a confectioner’s sugar substitute. Both Lakanto and Swerve have great ones. 

Why Are They Called Buckeye Cookies?

keto buckeye cookies ready to iced with chocolate ganache
keto buckeye cookies ready to be iced with chocolate ganache

Ever wonder how these cookies got their name? Buckeye cookies are named after the buckeye tree, which is the state tree of Ohio.

The tree produces a nut that resembles the eye of a deer, which is where the name “buckeye” comes from.

The cookie, which is made to look like the nut from the tree, is a popular treat in Ohio and other parts of the United States.

The cookie is typically made with peanut butter and chocolate and is often enjoyed during the holiday season.

Other Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter Recipes

The following are some other peanut butter chocolate recipes you might also try if you’re a fan of this flavor profile.

Tag Us

I created these coconut flour buckeye cookies after so many of you loved my keto lemon cream cheese cookies, keto orange cream cheese cookies, and nut-free, egg-less keto cream cheese cookies.

I figured if you loved those other cream cheese cookies, you would embrace a chocolate peanut butter buckeye one, too.

Thankfully, I was correct, and today, it’s helping people stay faithful to the ketogenic diet.  

I sure hope you will give this recipe a try. Once you do, remember to tag us on Instagram and Facebook.

It’s what encourages this girl to keep sharing and perfecting her recipes.

Do you know what goes fabulously with this recipe? My favorite nootropic coffee supplement. It’s a cup of coffee that gives you clean energy and pairs well with this recipe.

Also, check out our Amazon Store for recommendations. You might be surprised by how many great keto options are at your disposal.

Grab Our Books & Keto App

In case you don’t know, we have authored two books for you, Essential Keto Bread and Essential Keto Desserts, both inspired by your requests over the years.

I pray these keto cookbooks will help make keto a delicious breeze for you.

Gain access to simple and delicious recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and even desserts with our FITTOSERVEGROUP APP.

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Knowing firsthand the benefits of this decision, we have created a closed Christian group using the keto diet to transform their lives.

We invite you to join our Private Facebook Group and see if it’s not the key you’ve been missing.

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keto buckeye cookies with topped with a drizzle of chocolate icing

Keto Buckeye Cookies (Gluten-Free)

Yield: 24
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

These keto buckeye cookies feature a fudgy cookie, a layer of creamy peanut butter, and a drizzle of chocolate ganache for a decadent treat.

Ingredients

Peanut Butter Layer

Chocolate Ganache Icing

Instructions

Keto Buckeye Cookie Dough

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Prepare the peanut butter layer: In a small bowl, using a spatula, combine the creamy peanut butter with the sugar-free confectioner's sugar substitute and a pinch of salt until well combined. Roll into 24 one-inch balls and refrigerate while you make the cookie dough.
  3. Melt the baking chocolate in a double boiler or the microwave using 20 seconds increments, being sure to stir each time. Then set it aside.
  4. Using a mixer on high, combine the cream cheese, butter, sugar substitute, and vanilla extract.
  5. Once thoroughly combined, add the four eggs one at a time, ensuring that the batter is fully incorporated.
  6. Add the melted chocolate to the cookie dough and beat it until it's perfectly mixed.
  7. Next, mix well in the coconut flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
  8. Add the cookie dough in spoonfuls to a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
  9. Flatten the cookies slightly in the center with the back of a teaspoon.
  10. Bake cookies in the preheated 350-degree oven for 12-15 minutes (Do not over-bake).
  11. Press a peanut butter ball into the center immediately after the cookies come out of the oven. Set aside.
  12. Proceed to make the chocolate ganache icing: Melt the baking chocolate in a double boiler or the microwave using 20 seconds increments, stirring each time. Then set it aside. Melt the butter and coconut oil in a saucepan or microwave, stir in the melted baking chocolate, and combine well. Add the powdered sugar substitute and a pinch of salt and combine well.
  13. Drizzle the top of the cookies with the icing onto each cookie.
  14. Allow the icing to set for about 5 minutes.
  15. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container or freeze for up to 3 weeks.

Notes

Sugar-Free Peanut Butter


As far as which peanut butter to use for these buckeye cookie recipe, there are some careful considerations you need to take to ensure success. For one, it should be a sugar-free option.

Here are some brands I recommend:

All these brands have zero sugar and are creamy.



Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 170Total Fat: 16.2gSaturated Fat: 9.5gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 115mgCarbohydrates: 4.5gNet Carbohydrates: 3.4gFiber: 1.1gSugar: 2.9gProtein: 3g

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