How to Cook Peanut Butter Balls (Buckeyes)

This candy replicates the nuts from Buckeye trees.

Make this candy that resembles the nut of the Buckeye tree using decadent chocolate and creamy peanut butter. Buckeye candies were believed to originate in the state of Ohio, where residents, sports fans and even the state tree are named after the Buckeye nut. Whether you are a valiant Ohio State sports fan or just love peanut butter and chocolate together, these buckeye candies will find a place in your recipe collection. Add these brown morsels to your holiday baking list. Or whip up a batch of buckeyes for your next potluck dinner dessert.

Things You'll Need

• 2 baking sheets
• Wax paper
• 2 silicone baking mats (optional)
• 2 cups creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 4 cups confectioner's sugar, sifted
• Stand mixer with bowl
• Tablespoon measuring tool
• Butter knife
• 2 cups milk chocolate chips
• 2 tbsp. vegetable shortening
• Medium glass bowl, microwave-safe
• Toothpick

Instructions

1. Cover two baking sheets with wax paper and set aside the prepared pans. Alternatively use two silicone baking mats in place of the wax paper.

2. Add 2 cups of creamy peanut butter and 1 cup of room temperature unsalted butter to the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat the butter on high speed until the mixture reaches a creamy consistency and is well-blended.

3. Pour 4 cups of sifted confectioner's sugar, one cup at a time, into the mixer. Continue beating the ingredients, but turn the mixer to low speed so the sugar does not spray out of the mixer. Beat until the mixture develops into a moist ball. Add 1/2 tsp. of vanilla to the mixture and beat on low just until the vanilla is blended.

4. Scoop out balls of the dough using a tablespoon measuring tool. Level the scoops off with the backside of a butter knife. Pop the dough out and roll it around between the palms of your hands to form a ball. Set the ball on one of the lined baking sheets.

5. Continue making balls out of the remaining dough. Space them on the sheet so they are not touching each other. Place the sheets of peanut butter balls in the freezer for 1 hour.

6. Pour 2 cups of milk chocolate chips and 2 tbsp. of vegetable shortening in a medium glass bowl that is microwave-safe. Heat the mixture in the microwave on 100 percent power for 1 minute. Remove the bowl and stir the chips as they continue melting. Continue heating the bowl in 15 second intervals if the chocolate chips are not melting.

7. Remove the balls from the freezer. Insert a toothpick into one of the balls for a handle; do not push the toothpick all the way through the ball.

8. Dip the ball into the melted chocolate, but leave the top 1/2 inch of the peanut butter uncovered. Allow the excess of chocolate to drip off the bottom of the ball into the bowl of chocolate. Return the coated ball to the lined baking sheet. Repeat this with the remaining balls.

9. Refrigerate the buckeyes until the chocolate is set. Serve immediately or store for up to 1 week in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also use semi-sweet chocolate in place of the milk chocolate for a less sweet buckeye with more chocolate flavor.

• Do not use all-natural peanut butter because it is generally not as creamy as other types.

References

• Fox8 News; 'Glee' Super Bowl Recipe: Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls -- Buckeyes; Annette Lawless; Feb 11
• Thrifty Fun; Buckeye Candy -- Grandma's Peanut Butter Balls; Dec. 04
• Ohio State University: Ohio State History and Traditions