MAKE THESE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE {CANDY BUCKEYES!}

Raise your hand if you're sick of me talking about the Buckeyes?

You know, that football team that is 12-0 but isn't eligible for a bowl game? 

Yeah, that one. 

#notbitter

I'm sure most of you are.

But, I promise you that today the buckeyes I'm talking about you will NEVER, ever, get sick of.
People pay big bucks to get candy buckeyes in their hands.

Mainly because they are made out peanut butter and covered in warm chocolate. 

Two of the best ingredients in all the land, yes?

Buckeyes are popular here in Ohio for the obvious reasons, but you don't have to be a football fan to be obsessed with these little balls of goodness. Friends from all over the world (ok, US of A) dream of eating these!

Since I like to make dreams come true, I've got the recipe for you today.

This was my first time making buckeyes because I just figured that since they tasted so amazing they would a. be really hard to make or b. I would mess them up terribly and give them a bad rep. 

Lucky for you (and me), neither are true.

They are easy to make and your friends/family will think you slaved in the kitchen for hours making them! 

Your significant other is guaranteed to love you that much more, too. It's proven. ;)

Get it? Got it? Good.

Candy Buckeyes:
recipe source

Ingredients:
+2 cups peanut butter
+1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
+pinch of salt
+1/2 tsp vanilla extract
+1 pound icing sugar (powdered sugar)
+1 12 oz. pack of semisweet chocolate chips (ever since San Francisco-we are partial to Ghirardhelli ;))
+2 tbsp Crisco or shortening


What You Do:
+Mix the peanut butter, salt, and butter in a bowl. Place in the microwave for half a minute to soften the mixture. Mix in the vanilla and gradually mix in the icing sugar until it has the consistency of dough (I used about half the bag). Roll the peanut butter into balls about an inch wide. Place on cookie sheet and chill for about half an hour.

{don't mind my old cookie sheets. It's strange how I prefer to bake with these over our brand new cookie sheets, but I digress..}

+When chilled, stick a toothpick into the center of the balls to make dipping in chocolate easier.

+Place the shortening and chocolate in a bowl. Place the bowl over a pot of warm water and melt thoroughly. Take the peanut butter ball and dip in the chocolate about 3/4 through and leave part of the ball uncovered. Place the ball back on the cookie sheet. Do this for the rest of the balls. Place the sheet back in the fridge and allow chocolate to set.

+Remove the toothpick and smooth over the surface (with a spoon or something similar) to remove the hole. Serve.

Store in the refrigerator if you have extras.
My guess is you won't. ;)

So good. So good.

Have you tried candy buckeyes before?

If not, you pretty much need to make these tonight.
or for your next holiday party.
 or for the weekend.

OK, just make them.

PS-Today is my Dad's birthday! I am so blessed to have him!
Happy Birthday Pops...We love you!
{him this morning at the office}

xo.