Nana's Buckeyes

In Ohio, the state tree is the buckeye and the nuts from the tree look exactly like these candies. Real buckeye nuts are poisonous if eaten raw. Buckeyes are only partially dipped in chocolate, leaving the peanut butter showing on the top. Peanut butter balls are totally covered with chocolate.

Every Christmas Nana spent weeks making cookies and Buckeyes were always the kids' favorite. She would have tins of cookies on the card table on the screened in porch.

2 sticks of salted butter softened 4 C powdered sugar 2 C peanut butter 2 teaspoons vanilla 12 oz of chocolate chips 1/4 C shaved paraffin wax TIP: Wax makes the chocolate shiny. Some people use a tablespoon of coconut oil if they don't have wax.

Beat peanut butter and butter in bowl of mixer. Stir in vanilla. Add powdered sugar and beat on low speed until smooth. This may take several minutes. Roll into 1 inch balls and place in the freezer for at least an hour. Place the chocolate and paraffin wax in a deep bowl and microwave for 10-15 seconds at a time, stirring between intervals, until melted. You could also use a double boiler or chocolate melting pot. Dip the chilled peanut butter balls three fourths of the way into the chocolate and place on a wax paper lined cookie sheet until set. Store in fridge for up to a week or freezer for two months.

Shawn Muma