Ever since we moved to Pennsylvania, I have adored receiving these yummy concoctions on Christmas platters from friends. However, the name buckeyes has always been a bit off-putting. Silly me assumed the name referred to the candy’s resemblance to a male deer’s eye. Wow. Pennsylvanians are so passionate about hunting season and deer parts that they even named a candy after eyeballs. Gross. Obviously at this point I hadn’t had much exposure to our neighboring state, Ohio, also known as “The Buckeye State”. Apparently, these candies were named after their resemblance to the Buckeye nut which happens to be Ohio’s state nut. Do all states have a state nut? Regardless of the name origins, these things can be called nothing short of delicious.
Here is the recipe with a few of my modifications added in for good measure. Enjoy!
1 1/2 c peanut butter (I used half Smucker’s all natural and half Jif)
1 c butter, softened (I used 1/2 Smart Balance spread and 1/2 butter)
1/2 t vanilla
6 c powdered sugar
4 c chocolate chips
1. Mix peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar with mixer until well blended.
2. Roll dough into balls and place on waxed paper lined cookie sheet. (I simply placed the balls into mini-muffin tins.)
3. Place a toothpick into each ball then place cookie sheets in freezer until frozen.
4. Melt chocolate chips over double boiler. (I placed mine into a liquid measuring cup. Popped it into the microwave for about 2 mins and stirred.)
5. Dip in chocolate and place back into freezer until set. (This is the beauty of using the mini-muffin tins. The frozen trays will set your chocolate almost immediately.)
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Xe Toyota Quang Binh says
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Ella says
Looks so good.Definitely going to make them this weekend!
Beth says
They are delicious! Enjoy! 🙂
Nick says
To make the chocolate nice and shiny, instead of adding oils or lard, you can also try using a couple chunks of paraffin wax
Hannah says
Ahhh, I love these! Except I usually just dunk the whole thing in chocolate…and call it a choco-covered PB ball. Haha.
And I was JUST about to say something about adding shortening but then saw your additional comment. You can also use butter or regular vegetable oil…not really any more comforting and still seems you're adding unnecessary lard into the mix, but it really does make the chocolate so much smoother and prettier. Mmmm, I'm drooling just thinging about them. 😛
Glitter and Bliss says
Looks soooooo yummy….
Buzzings of a Queen Bee! says
YUM! Being from Ohio, these are a staple for me around the holidays. I plan on making them this weekend! But I’ve never tried putting them in the muffin tin to harden. Great idea!
Carrie
Beth Crabtree Hunter says
Oops. I left out a little tip on the recipe. Put a little bit (like a pat of butter size) of shortening into your melted chocolate chips. I’ve heard this tip before, but I find shortening sort of repulsive and never wanted it in my chocolate before. However, it really helps adhere the chocolate to the balls and makes the chocolate easier to work with.
michaela says
Since we now reside in the Buckeye state these are my favorite new treat! I had never heard of them or tasted them before I moved here. Thanks for the recipe – I will definately use it. The only recipe I had for Buckeyes involved parafin wax and I didn’t want to go there! Loving your blog – I feel like I am right there celebrating the holidays with you!