Buckeyes

Of all the handmade goodies for me to make as gifts this Christmas season I chose to make Ohio's state confection.... I made that up, though it could be.  People in Ohio love their Buckeyes!

These Buckeyes (known simply as Peanut Butter Balls in the rest of the country) are super yummy, especially when they're cold.  They're superior to any store-bought version I've had.  So if you love a good peanut butter cup, you'll be hooked!

2 cups creamy peanut butter
½ cup butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
12 oz. chocolate chips, chocolate chunks, or chocolate almond bark--melted according to the directions on package

1. Mix together peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla.  Chill to set.

2. Once peanut butter mixture is firm, roll into 1" balls.

3. Dip peanut butter balls into melted chocolate* with a dime-size amount of the peanut butter still visible, and place on a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Place in candy paper cups, once set, if desired.

*Many people use toothpicks to dip the peanut butter balls into the chocolate.  I do not find this effective and resorted to using a pair of tongs.