These peanut butter and chocolate candies, which mimic
the looks of the buckeye nut (something like a horse
chestnut) come from Ohio, where the buckeye is the state
tree. I first sampled these in a college roommate's
care package. I was hooked.
Most of the buckeyes I've had have been creamy and
smooth, but if you prefer a more Reeses-like texture,
add the graham cracker crumbs. The candy will be a bit
harder to roll, but it's delicious.
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
6 cups powdered sugar
1 cup butter,
softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
extract
4 cups semisweet chocolate
chips
6 whole graham crackers,
pulverized into crumbs (optional)
Blend
peanut butter, sugar, butter, and vanilla (plus graham
cracker crumbs, if desired. (Dough will look dry).
Roll
into 1 inch balls and place on a wax paper lined cookie
sheet. Stick a toothpick into each ball as you roll
them (you'll use the toothpick to dip the candy into
the chocolate). Chill in freezer until hard (1/2 hour).
Melt
chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler (use very
low heat and stir continuously).
Dip
frozen peanut butter balls in chocolate using the toothpick
as a handle. Leave a small portion of peanut butter
showing at the top to make them look like buckeyes.
Put back on the wax paper lined cookie sheet and refrigerate
2 hours.
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