Recipe - These Peanut Butter Buckeyes Are Always A Hit For Christmas

Chocolate-coated peanut butter buckeyes are a Midwestern delight. Dip them all the way to make peanut butter balls. Essential for any cookie tray, this buckeye candy recipe is always a hit.The combination of chocolate and peanut butter is an obvious winner for anyone who has ever tasted a peanut butter cup, and peanut butter balls, or buckeye balls, are no exception.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups (390g) smooth peanut butter (not "natural")
1/2 cup (115g, 1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3 1/2 cups (400g) powdered sugar
3 cups (525g) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Method

* Place the peanut butter, melted butter, vanilla and salt in a large bowl and stir until well blended.

* Sift 2 cups of powdered sugar into the bowl using a fine-mesh strainer and stir until the sugar is absorbed.

* Sift the remaining powdered sugar and mix in and a smooth stiff paste forms.

* Scoop up a small portion of dough (a small cookie scoop is great for this!). Form 1-inch balls by rolling them between your palms.

* Place on a rimmed baking pan lined with a piece of parchment paper. Repeat until all the peanut butter filling is gone.

* Skewer each ball with a toothpick; you'll use this to dip the balls in chocolate later. It's best to do this now because the balls might be too hard later.

* Chill for at least 1 hour or overnight in the refrigerator so the balls become firm enough to dip.

* Once the peanut butter balls have chilled, place the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 30 second increments on high power, stirring between each cook cycle, until the chocolate has melted and is smooth.

* Holding the peanut butter balls by the toothpick, dip it in the melted chocolate until 3/4 of the ball is covered in chocolate. Leave the top of the ball uncovered so you can see a little of the peanut butter.

* Place back on the baking sheet and repeat with the remaining balls.

* Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for the chocolate to solidify. Once the chocolate is solid, wet your finger and smooth over the hole the toothpick has formed with your finger.

* Buckeyes can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for several weeks, or (wrapped tightly) in the freezer for several months.