Making Peanut Butter Balls (Buckeyes)

Ingredients:

• 9 oz chocolate (I used 1/2 bittersweet and 1/2 semi sweet)
• 1 Tbsp shortening
• 2 cups creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 2-2 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• kosher salt for topping

Steps:

1. Mix together the peanut butter, melted butter and vanilla. Slowly mix in the powdered sugar until the mixture has become stiff and you can roll the peanut butter mixture into balls.

 
2. Roll mixture into 1 inch balls using the palms of your hands. Place rolled balls onto a parchment paper covered cookie sheet.

 
3. Once you have rolled all the peanut butter mixture into balls. Place the cookie sheet into the fridge and chill for a few hours or overnight. If you are in a bind, stick them in the freezer. (If you are planning on using a toothpick for dipping, do not freeze the balls through).
   
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4. Cover another cookie sheet with parchment paper, set aside. Take only a few of the balls out of the fridge at a time to dip. Once the balls warm up it becomes increasingly difficult to dip them in the chocolate.

 
5. Melt 4 oz bitter sweet chocolate, 5 oz semi sweet chocolate, and 1 Tbsp shortening in a double broiler. You can play with the proportions of chocolate or even use milk chocolate. It is really up to you and how you like your chocolate. I find using this combination compliments the sweet peanut butter nicely.

 
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6. Once melted take off the heat. If at any point during the dipping process the chocolate stiffens place it back on the heat.
   
7. Using a toothpick, two spoons, a bent fork or chocolate dipping tools. Dip the balls into the chocolate. Let all the excess chocolate drip off then place onto a parchment coved cookie sheet.

 

 
8. While the chocolate is still warm sprinkle a tiny pinch of kosher salt onto the top of the peanut butter ball.

 
9. Once all of your balls are dipped and salted, place the cookie sheet into the fridge and chill until the chocolate hardens. It is best to keep this treat in the fridge because they taste better chilled.
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10. Salted peanut butter balls make great gifts. Place each ball into a mini muffin paper or candy paper and place the balls in a canning jar.