As a part of the fundraiser to help my sister Leisa and her husband Jacob have a baby through invitro, we sold buckeyes. If you don't know what a buckeye is, that is ok, it means you are probably not living in Ohio. Besides being the mascot for the Ohio State University, a buckeye is a nut. (pictured to the right)What we made were basically peanut butter bon bons that look like buckeye nuts.
First and most important let's give you the peanut butter ball ingredients.
1 1/2 C Peanut Butter
1/2 C Butter Softened
2 Tsp Vanilla
3/4 lb Confectioners' Sugar (with most peanut butters, if using Peter Pan Peanut butter or any super creamy peanut butters increase sugar to 1 lb)
In a large bowl mix the butter, vanilla, and peanut butter together, I preferred using a standing mixer such as a kitchenaid. Next mix the confectioners sugar into the mixture a little bit at a time. Once it is fully mixed, the mixture should be solid but moldable, not too crumbly though. Form it into balls and place it into a tray. Once you are forming the balls you will want to place the formed balls covered into the freezer. Wait for at least an hour for the balls to be frozen, overnight works best.
For Dipping
The ingredients you use will depend on your preference, for harder, more solid chocolate either use higher quality chocolate (such as ghiradeli) or use paraffin wax. I prefer using the paraffin wax.
In a double boiler combine 2 cups chocolate chips and 1/4th bar of paraffin wax.
Once the chocolate and wax are completely melted, place chocolate in bowls or cups. Dip the balls into the chocolate using toothpicks and place on wax paper. Remove the toothpick.
(If the hole from the toothpick bothers you, take your finger - preferably gloved if you're not making them for yourself - and rub the peanut butter center gently until the hole is covered.)
The chocolate will harden as it sets, but it will go faster if you put the finished buckeyes in the freezer or fridge. Enjoy!
