Buckeyes

Buckeyes are a treat any time of the year but especially cherished during the holidays. This Christmas candy gets its name from the small, round tree nut that’s dark brown with a tan spot on one side. Our Buckeye recipe calls for peanut butter, chocolate and graham cracker crumbs—a combo sure to be a hit at all of your Christmas gatherings.

Total time:
Yield: 80 buckeye balls
Nutrition facts: Per serving (1 buckeye ball): 75 calories, 4.8 g fat, 8 g carbohydrates (0.6 g fiber), 1 g protein

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Ingredients

1 jar (18 oz.) creamy peanut butter
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
1 lb. confectioners’ sugar
2 cups graham cracker crumbs (8 oz.)
24 oz. semisweet chocolate chips
4 Tbsp. shortening

Directions

  1. In a medium bowl, with an electric mixer, blend the peanut butter and butter until soft and creamy. Beat in the confectioners’ sugar. Stir in the graham cracker crumbs.
  2. Using a heaping teaspoon of the mixture, roll into balls. Place the balls on a tray and chill in the freezer for 15 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, in a small, deep bowl set over hot, not boiling, water, melt the chocolate chips and shortening, and stir well to blend. Line a cookie sheet with foil and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
  4. Spear a buckeye ball with a toothpick and dip into the chocolate to cover three-fourths of the ball. Place on the foil. Chill to set the chocolate coating.

Buckeye balls are named for a small, round tree nut that’s dark brown with a tan spot on one side.