There’s a small warning about these: When you serve them, you may be mistaken for an Ohio State fan, or Buckeye.
I went to a potluck in Seattle once, and I saw a plate of Buckeyes on the table. “OK,” I said to the group standing around the table, “Who brought the buckeyes?”
Most people looked puzzled; they didn’t even know what the peanut-butter and chocolate confections were called. They pointed out a tall woman who’d just gone into the kitchen, Frana. She and I very quickly established that we were both Central Ohio expats, and had lived under the influence of Ohio State in our former lives. All because she’d brought these to a party!
1 1/2 C creamy peanut butter
1/2 C butter (room temp)
1 tsp vanilla
1 lb. powdered sugar
1 6 oz. bag chocolate chips
2 Tbsp. Crisco
Line cookie sheet with waxed paper. In large bowl mix peanut butter, butter, sugar, and vanilla it will be quite stiff. Shape into balls; refrigerate if desired. Carefully melt chocolate and Crisco together in a double boiler or microwave (do not overheat!).
Using a toothpick, dip the balls into the chocolate, covering about 3/4 of the surface. Put back on waxed paper and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Store in layers with waxed paper between.
Makes about 40 or so.
Melts in your mouth, not in your hand, thanks to the Crisco. Barry’s Mom has a version that uses paraffin for the same purpose, but I feel weird about eating wax…