Buckeye Candy

These are an old family favorite. My grandmother (Gram) used to make them. They are just like Reese's Peanut butter cups, but homemade. They are named Buckeye after the Ohio state tree and its nuts.

You can see the recipe here on the Toll House website, although our recipe uses a different amount of peanut butter. Here's the recipe modified with amount we use.

1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter, (not all-natural)
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
3 3/4 cups (16-oz. box) powdered sugar
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) chocolate chips
2 tablespoons vegetable shortening

LINE baking sheets with wax paper.

BEAT peanut butter and butter in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in powdered sugar until mixture holds together and is moistened. Shape into 1-inch balls; place on prepared baking sheets. Freeze for 1 hour. (I just put in the fridge.)

MELT morsels and shortening in medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute; STIR. Morsels may retain some of their shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until melted.  (This time I used a double boiler - bowl over pot with water - and it worked even better.)

DIP peanut butter centers into melted chocolate using a toothpick, leaving a small portion of the center uncovered. Shake off excess chocolate and scrape bottom of candy on side of bowl. Return to baking sheets. (At this point, I used two fingers to close the toothpick holes.) Refrigerate until chocolate is set. Store in covered container in refrigerator.