Famous Buckeyes (Peanut Butter Balls)

If there is one sweet treat I am famous for, it is my buckeyes. I learned to make them years ago from a long-time friend, Katie. She had them at a Christmas party and shared the recipe with me. Over the years, they have become my signature holiday treat. Creamy peanut butter wrapped in a blanket of milk chocolate. Sounds simple, but they are truly a labor of love.

Ingredients:

Creamy Peanut Butter (disregard the cookie butter pictured below!)

melted butter

confectioner's sugar

Candiquik chocolate (secret weapon to not having the chocolate melt so quickly)

Step 1: Mix peanut butter, confectioner's sugar, and melted butter until you reach a non-sticky, but non-crumbly mixture (Notice I do not put measurement amounts, because I never measure!! For me, this is an 'eyeball it' kind of recipe - you may have to add a little conf. sugar if its too sticky or add a little butter if its too thick and crumbly)

Step 2: Pinch small amounts of peanut butter off the dough ball and make rounds by rolling between the palms of your hands. Place peanut butter balls on cookie sheet lined with wax paper.

Step 3: Coat balls with melted chocolate. I use a product called Candiquik...I came across it years ago and it has changed my baking life! I first used chocolate morsels, but would run in to the chocolate melting too quickly. That's when I did my research and found this product. You can find it in most grocery stores on the baking aisle or around the holidays, in the holiday display. I will admit it can be tricky to find. 

To coat the balls, I use two spoons...this is what I have found the easiest for me. You may think of another way. When I was given the recipe, Katie said she would put the peanut ball on a toothpick and dip in the chocolate...didn't work so well for me. 

Step 4: Using the spoon on the left (I am left-handed...might be opposite for you), transfer the chocolate covered ball to the cookie sheet. Let them harden at ROOM TEMPERATURE. No need to stick them in the freezer or fridge to harden. I usually do store then in the fridge, but after they have sat out for a while.