Saturday, April 14, 2012

Buckeyes

                                                                        
These candies are well-loved and desired by those who love peanut butter and chocolate. They are an uncooked fudge center with a chocolate outerlayer and completely delicious. These are incredibly easy to make. I have made up to 450 of these for the holidays for gift giving and to serve at our meals, and they are always welcomed. I make mine ahead of time and freeze them in airtight containers to keep fresh. These make great gifts any time of the year, but especially for special occasions when you want to wow others. I promise that these won't last long so make plenty! This recipe makes a large batch.

Buckeyes

1 pound real butter, softened to room temp
2 pounds creamy peanut butter
3 pounds powdered (confectionary) sugar
1- 12 ounce bag semi-sweetened chocolate chips*
1/4 bar paraffin wax

Cream together the butter and peanut butter. Add in sugar and combine till well-blended. Roll into balls the size of walnuts. If candy wants to stick to your hands while rolling, then dip hands in powdered sugar first to keep from sticking.
In a double boiler (or make a double boiler by adding one pan over another, making sure there is plenty of water in bottom pan) melt the chocolate chips and paraffin wax till smooth.
Place wax paper on a table or line cookie sheets with waxed paper to lay out balls on so chocolate can set up.
Using a toothpick, dip each ball into the chocolate, leaving room at the top, then place on cookie sheet to set up, making sure that the balls do not touch one another.
When chocolate is set up, using your fingertip, close hole in top of buckeyes by smoothing.
Depending on size, should make around 150 buckeyes.

Tips: *Use a high quality chocolate chip for best flavor and quality.
          *These freeze exceptionally well. Place Buckeyes on cookie sheets in freezer till quite frozen,
           about an hour, then place in tins or other containers that seal. Keeps up to six months, if kept
           well sealed.  
           *Make sure you do NOT get any water in the chocolate as the chocolate will sieze and be
            ruined. Be careful if not using a conventional double boiler.