Countdown to Christmas Day 20: Buckeye Balls

Happy Dec 20th! Only 5 more days until Christmas, and 2 more days until I start my road trip to KY to see my family for the holidays! Since I am heading north, and will be just outside of Ohio, which is the Buckeye state, I wanted to be sure I made one of my family's favorite candies...Buckeye Balls! Peanut Butter & confectioners sugar dipped in chocolate, what could be better than that? This is one super RICH candy but you can't just eat one...I find myself popping them in my mouth, one after another.


First you make the peanut butter and sugar mixture. Then you roll them into balls and place on a cookie sheet to chill.


Insert a toothpick into peanut butter balls so they are easy to dip in chocolate.


Melt chocolate and start dipping in chocolate coating.


You only want to dip the peanut butter balls about 3/4 of the way in the chocolate because they are suppose to look like actual buckeyes, which is the state tree in Ohio.


After you dip the balls in the candy coating chill in the fridge to allow the chocolate to set. Remove the toothpicks and smooth over the holes.



Buckeye Balls (recipe from Jif Peanut Butter website)

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups Jif Creamy Peanut Butter
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 to 4 cups confectioners sugar

Coating
1 pound chocolate flavor candy coating
2 tablespoons Crisco Shortening

• Combine Jif, butter or margarine, vanilla and salt in large bowl. Beat at low speed of electric mixer until blended.
• Add 2 cups sugar. Beat until blended.
• Continue adding 1/2 cup sugar at a time until mixture shaped into ball will hold onto toothpick.
• Shape into 3/4 inch balls. Place on tray. Chill.
• For coating, combine candy coating and Crisco Shortening in microwave-safe bowl.
• Microwave at 50% (medium) for 30 seconds. Stir. Repeat until mixture is smooth.
• Insert toothpick in candy ball. Dip three-fourths of ball into melted coating.
• Scrape off excess.
• Place on waxed paper lined tray.
• Remove toothpick. Smooth over holes.
• Refrigerate until coating is firm then remove from paper.
• Store at room temperature in covered container.
• Makes 8 dozen.

ENJOY!