Christmas Treats: Buckeyes

One thing I love about Christmas is all the yummy treats. It's so much fun to make yummy stuff for my family and friends. I enjoy getting surprise visits on my doorstep from friends bringing by some of their favorite treats, too. It's just one of the fun traditions for this time of year.

This year, I discovered a new recipe on Walmart.com, of all places. This recipe is for Buckeyes. I have no idea why you would ever call something so yummy and pretty a nasty name like Buckeye, but not everyone is creative. A guy must have named them. =) So, here's a fun recipe for everyone out there in the middle of their baking frenzy, too.

There is only one thing I would change about this recipe: I made it with Ghiradelli Semi-Sweet chips - but the chocolate flavor was too strong with the peanut butter center. I suggest trying milk chocolate chips instead. I did make a small batch with white chocolate chips for my hubby - who's not a chocolate fan - and he loved them.



Buckeyes

Ingredients

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cup confectioners' sugar
1-1/4 cups semisweet chocolate morsels (1-1/4 cups = 7-1/2 oz)
1 tablespoon vegetable shortening


Directions

1. Blend peanut butter, butter, salt and confectioners’ sugar together in medium bowl with an electric mixer on low speed. Mixture will be stiff. Line sheet pan with wax paper. Roll peanut butter mixture into small, bite-size balls, about 3/4-inch round. Refrigerate until set; about 30 minutes.

2. Place morsels and shortening in top of double boiler with simmering water in the bottom. Melt ingredients over medium low heat; blend well. Remove from heat. ***I microwaved mine according to the package instructions.

3. Insert wooden pick into top of chilled peanut butter ball. Dip into melted chocolate, leaving only the top 1/4 of peanut butter ball uncovered for typical Buckeye appearance. Place coated side on prepared sheet pan. Repeat until all pieces are coated. Refrigerate until chocolate is set, about 30 minutes. Place in airtight container; keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Would you like to comment?

Kimber said...

Fun! I love Buckeyes. I agree, weird name for a great treat. :o) I made "candy bar fudge" this year from the Betty Crocker cookbook and it was a hit. Even Matt, who doesn't like fudge, liked this stuff. :o)

Kimberly Job said...

Mmmm...yummy! My kids love these.

Anonymous said...

Ooh, delicious! I'll have to try that!

John Ferguson said...

But they look just like Buckeyes. You know the nut of the Buckeye tree? I used to play with them when I was a kid. The candy looks a lot like them. Check it out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio_Buckeye you have to scroll down to see what the nuts look like.

Kellie said...

I just bought a ton of those for my sister in-law and her family for Christmas. They are dang expensive and we should have just made them ourselves. On second thought, NONE of my Christmas baking has gone well, so I guess it was money well (but over) spent. I haven't even had one yet. But they are all over the place here, being Ohio I guess that makes sense.

Dana said...

I have had this receipe for a loooong time, under the name of Ohio State Buckeyes! Imagine that! And they never get to be stored, they are eaten right away.
Merry Christmas!

Unknown said...

I agree with John. They do look like the buckeyes we used to pick up when I was a kid.

Haley Hatch Freeman said...

Great recipe! It looks like a fun treat the kids can help make too. I'm going to try it, thanks for sharing!
Have a Merry Christmas!

Kate said...

Wish I'd seen this recipe earlier. I'll have to store it away. Thanks for sharing.