Christmas Buckeyes

I have Christmas memories of making a few sweet treats, cutting out sugar cookies on the kitchen table when I was about 4 years old at our Williams Street house, making chocolate swedish tea cakes, and my favorite treat, Buckeyes. Buckeyes are special peanut butter balls that look like a real Buckeye nut, from a Buckeye tree, that grows in Ohio. I made Buckeyes this year at Suzanne's request, and shared them with a few special people.

Here's the recipe Amy!

The Original Buckeye Recipe

1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 t. vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar

4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 T. shortening

1. Mix together peanut butter, vanilla, butter and powdered sugar. The dough will look dry. Roll into one large ball, and refrigerate dough about 30 minutes.
2. Roll into 1 inch balls, and place on a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet.
3. Press a toothpick into the top of each ball, and chill in freezer until firm, about 30 minutes.
4. Melt chocolate chips and shortening in microwave until melted. Stir frequently.
5. Dip frozen peanut butter balls in chocolate, holding onto the toothpick. Leave a small amount of peanut butter showing at the top to make them look like Buckeyes. Put back on the cookie sheet and refrigerate until serving.