Make the peanut butter base: In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter and softened butter. Stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture turns a uniform pale tan colour and smells deeply nutty—no streaks of butter should remain. The texture will look thick and slightly glossy.

Add the sweetness: Pour in the vanilla extract and sift the icing sugar directly over the bowl. Add the pinch of salt. Stir slowly at first to avoid a sugar cloud, then increase speed. The mixture will become stiff and crumbly, almost like a shortbread dough. When you press it between your fingers, it should hold together cleanly.

Roll into balls: Scoop out level tablespoons of the mixture and roll firmly between your palms. You want a smooth, crack-free surface—if cracks appear, squeeze a little tighter. Place each ball on a baking tray lined with baking paper. You should have about 24 even-sized balls.

Chill the balls: Pop the tray into the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour. They need to be firm enough to hold their shape when dipped. The balls will feel hard and cold to the touch after this time.

Melt the chocolate coating: Place the chopped dark chocolate and coconut oil in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water. Make sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Stir gently until the chocolate is completely melted and glossy—this takes about 4-5 minutes. The mixture should be smooth enough to coat the back of a spoon without any lumps.

Dip the buckeyes: Remove the chilled balls from the fridge. Using a toothpick or a skewer, spear each ball and dip it into the melted chocolate, leaving a small circle of peanut butter exposed at the top (the classic buckeye look). Let the excess chocolate drip back into the bowl. The chocolate should set almost immediately on the cold ball.

Set the buckeyes: Place the dipped buckeyes back on the baking tray, chocolate-side down (or up, depending on your preference). Return the tray to the fridge for 15-20 minutes, until the chocolate is completely firm and makes a satisfying snap when you bite into it.