Classic Buckeye Peanut Butter Balls
Sweet and nutty peanut butter balls dipped in rich chocolate, leaving a small circle of peanut butter exposed for that iconic buckeye look.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups peanut butter
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
- 4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- as needed toothpicks
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat together peanut butter, softened butter, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Gradually add the sifted confectioners' sugar, beating continuously until the dough is stiff, firm, and free of lumps. Add up to 2 more cups of sugar if needed to achieve the correct consistency.
- Roll the dough into approximately sixty 1-inch balls and place them on wax paper-lined cookie sheets. Insert a toothpick into the top of each ball and chill in the freezer for about 30 minutes until firm.
- Melt the chocolate chips using a double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring frequently to achieve a smooth melt.
- Holding the toothpicks, dip each chilled peanut butter ball into the melted chocolate, leaving a small circle of peanut butter visible at the top to resemble a buckeye nut.
- Place the dipped buckeyes back onto the cookie sheet, carefully remove and discard the toothpicks, and refrigerate until the chocolate is set and ready to serve.