Buckeye Bites Food

BUCKEYE BITES

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, mix together peanut butter, softened butter and vanilla with a mixer on low. You can easily get sticky things like peanut butter, evaporated milk, etc. out of a measuring cup if you spray it first with non-stick cooking spray like Pam.
• Add the two sugars and mix until combined. Take a small baking sheet or large plate (something that will fit in your freezer) and line with waxed paper or non-stick foil. Lay out your square pretzels (or if you can't find square, the mini traditional knotted pretzels will work too) on the sheet.
• Using a teaspoon measure, scoop up the peanut butter mixture and roll into balls. Place a ball on each pretzel and top with another pretzel, pushing down to form little sandwiches. Place in the freezer to firm up for 30 minutes.
• Melt the dipping chocolate according to the directions and dip each pretzel sandwich halfway. Place on a non-stick sprayed cooling rack to dry, or on a sheet of waxed paper or foil. They will firm up faster if you put them in the refrigerator.
• I have also taken a shortcut when making these by using Reece's Mini Peanut Butter Cups or Rolos for a caramel version, instead of the peanut butter mix, baking for 3-5 minutes at 350 until the chocolate just begins to soften before topping with the second pretzel and pressing to make the sandwiches. Then drizzle with the dipping chocolate before refrigerating to harden - cuts time in half!
• Eat and enjoy!

CRUNCHY TOFFEE BUCKEYES

Steps:

• Combine the peanut butter, vanilla and salt in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer, adding about 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar at a time, until all the sugar is incorporated and the mixture is stiff and dry to the touch. Mix the toffee by hand.
• Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls (about 32) and place on plates. Insert a toothpick into the center of each ball and freeze until firm, 1 hour.
• Once the balls are frozen, put the chopped chocolate in a small, heat-safe bowl. Set the bowl over a saucepan filled with 1/2 inch of barely simmering water (make sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water) and heat, stirring, until melted. Remove the balls from the freezer and, one at a time, dip them in the chocolate, leaving a small round of peanut butter still visible. Let the excess chocolate drip off before returning the balls to the plate. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Remove the toothpick before serving.

BUCKEYES

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment. Beat the confectioners' sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla and salt with an electric mixer in a medium bowl until well combined. Scoop 2-teaspoonful mounds, and roll into balls; arrange them on the prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes.
• Microwave the chocolate and shortening in a microwave-safe medium bowl in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth, about 2 minutes.
• Stick a toothpick or skewer into the top center of a peanut butter ball. Dip the ball into the melted chocolate, leaving a circle of peanut butter visible on top. Let the excess chocolate drip off, then return the buckeye to the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining peanut butter balls and chocolate.
• Chill the buckeyes until firm, about 30 minutes. Smooth out the hole left by the toothpick with an offset spatula. Serve at room temperature or well chilled. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

BEST EVER BUCKEYES

Steps:

• Mix peanut butter, margarine or butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla in bowl (It helps to soften the margarine).
• Shape into 1" balls.
• Refrigerate balls.
• Meanwhile, melt chocolate with a bit of crisco (so the chocolate will harden. Without crisco, chocolate will remain soft.) in double boiler.
• Insert toothpick into refrigerated balls and dip into chocolate, leaving small area resembling a buckeye.
• Cool on wax paper and store in refrigerator or freezer.

BUCKEYE BALLS II

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with waxed paper; set aside.
• In a medium bowl, mix peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and confectioners' sugar with hands to form a smooth stiff dough. Shape into balls using 2 teaspoons of dough for each ball. Place on prepared pan, and refrigerate.
• Melt shortening and chocolate together in a metal bowl over a pan of lightly simmering water. Stir occasionally until smooth, and remove from heat.
• Remove balls from refrigerator. Insert a wooden toothpick into a ball, and dip into melted chocolate. Return to wax paper, chocolate side down, and remove toothpick. Repeat with remaining balls. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.