Off the County Road

How about a bowl full of yummy Buck-eyes? I found this recipe a few years ago in a Gooseberry Patch cookbook and thought they sounded like a little bit of heaven. I decided this year it would be great to make a little something for the people at school that might get overlooked when it comes time for gift giving; when I came across this recipe again I thought it looked perfect. I've already tasted several just to make sure they were ok to share. :) They're so delish I've decided to share the recipe. The only thing I would change is next time I will dip the entire ball of peanut butter goodness into the chocolate. The recipe says to only dip 3/4 of the ball, but the peanut butter is a little gooey. If it were all encased in chocolate it would be easier to bag up and share. Enough about that ~ here's the recipe:

Oh-So-Rich-Buckeyes

2 c. creamy peanut butter

1 c. graham cracker crumbs

2 c. powdered sugar

4 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

4 T. shortening

Combine peanut butter, graham cracker crumbs and powdered sugar, mixing until smooth; refrigerate at least one hour. Roll teaspoonfuls of peanut butter mixture into balls and place on wax paper; refrigerate until ready to dip. (I found it helpful to freeze for about 10 minutes before dipping.) Melt chocolate chips and shortening in a double boiler, stirring until smooth. Insert a toothpick in the peanut butter balls and dip in chocolate until 3/4 covered. Return to wax paper to cool. Makes 5 dozen. 

As we were rolling the balls I couldn't help but think about Christmases past...all of us cousins sneaking the wonderful candy that was always present at the dessert table. I have two aunts who are excellent candy makers. Somehow their ball candy was always perfectly round and shiny with chocolate ~ almost too pretty to eat. I wish I had a picture of the hard cinnamon and wintergreen candy or the Martha Washingtons...mmmm, those were the best.

Here's wishing all of you a season full of sweet memories...