Recipe: Buckeyes

Buckeyes

The Christmas holidays are over but this recipe is good any time of the year.  It is a favorite of mine especially being a native of Ohio.  Make these for a friend for a sweet Valentine's treat!

1 1/2 cups peanut butter (16 oz. jar)

1/2 cup butter, softened (1 stick)

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Up to 2 cups of confectioners' sugar

6 oz. semisweet chocolate chips (1 cup)

2 tbsp. shortening

In a medium bowl, mix together peanut butter, butter, and vanilla. Add confectioners' sugar with hands a little at a time to form a smooth, stiff dough. Do not add all at one time or your mixture may be too dry. You may not use all the confectioner's sugar-use your discretion. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on wax paper-lined cookie sheets.

Press a toothpick into the top of each ball (to be used later as the handle for dipping) and chill in freezer until firm, about 30 minutes.

Melt chocolate chips in a double broiler or in a bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water.  Stir frequently until smooth.

Dip frozen peanut butter balls in chocolate holding onto the toothpick.  Leave a small portion of peanut butter showing at the top to make them look like buckeyes.  Put back on the cookie sheet and refrigerate until serving.