buckeye balls

Posted at 06:15 PM, Saturday, January 10, 2009

I have had a few requests for my buckeye balls recipe.  They are very easy to make.  They are a yummy candy with a peanut butter filling and chocolate coating.  Dave LOVES them, and so do my kids.  Cameron calls them "buck eyeballs."

Buckeye Balls

1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

3-4 cups confectioners sugar

Coating:

1 pound chocolate flavor candy coating

2 tablespoons shortening

     Combine peanut butter, butter, vanilla and salt in a large bowl.  Beat at low speed until blended.  Add 2 cups sugar.  Beat until blended.  Continue adding 1/2 cup sugar at a time until mixture shaped into ball will hold onto toothpick.  Shape into 3/4-inch balls.  Place on tray.  Chill.

     For coating, combine candy coating and shortening in pan on low heat.  Heat and stir until smooth.  Insert toothpick in candy ball.  Dip 3/4 of ball into melted coating.  Scrape off excess.  Place on waxed paper-lined tray.  Remove toothpick.  Refrigerate until coating is firm then remove from paper.  Store at room temperature in covered container.