Monday, July 27, 2009

Midwest Morsels

A friend of mine at work is from Ohio. One time at happy hour she was talking about her hometown and I asked her if she liked Buckeyes. I wanted to be able to relate and of course the only thing I could come up with was associated with food. What can I say? - Food is my thing. I don't know much about Ohio except for the fact that most people from there are crazy about these little candies. As soon as I mentioned them she perked up and expressed her love for them. I promised to make them for her and made a practice batch for Forrest to take to his softball game. There were three Ohio natives there and they all gave them the Ohio State seal of approval.

Buckeye Candy
Adapted from Nestle

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups creamy peanut butter, (not all-natural)
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
  • 3 3/4 cups (16-oz. box) powdered sugar
  • 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
Directions:

LINE baking sheets with wax paper.

BEAT peanut butter and butter in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in powdered sugar until mixture holds together and is moistened.

Shape into 1-inch balls; place on prepared baking sheets. Freeze for 1 hour.


MELT morsels and shortening in medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute; STIR. Morsels may retain some of their shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until melted.


DIP peanut butter centers into melted chocolate using a toothpick,

leaving a small portion of the center uncovered.

Shake off excess chocolate and scrape bottom of candy on side of bowl.

Return to baking sheets; refrigerate until chocolate is set. Store in covered container in refrigerator.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

These look delish! (that is my new word for delicious...) I have started using it a bit too much...No clue where I picked that one up..I may have to try these out!

Lil' Craze

Erin said...

These look great! I love chocolate and peanut butter!

Anonymous said...

Hey Biz, delish reminds me of pos ... lol. I need to start using delish at the next PTA meeting ... lol. And these candies look like reese pb cubs on steriods. When did you make these? I want to try them! Too bad you can't mail chocolate!

Your Sister,
You know who

the happy family said...

my best friend from law school makes these every year for x-mas and sends them to us. it is all i can do to get a couple before my hubby eats them all! looks yummy!

Gabriela said...

My DH makes these once a year, usually around Christmas. They really are quite delectible what with the savory peanut butter and sweet chocolate combination. Yours turned out lovely.

Jessica - The Novice Chef said...

These look fabulous! I love that last picture!

Anonymous said...

yummy,,,i need some of those
lou

teresa said...

i want to pop ten of those in my mouth, mmmm!

Molly Jean said...

GO HAWKEYES!!!

Okay so I'll put my Big Ten rivalry aside and say that these look terrific :)

Tiffiny Felix said...

Yum! And I love that you use Ghirardelli chocolate--it's my favorite too! The only way to go! :)

Julie G. said...

An OH staple! I prefer the ones made with rice krispes in the recipe. You just throw some in crushed krispies into the peanut butter and viola! They add and lightness and a pleasing crunch. I'm from Ohio, btw, so I know of what I speak. Great blog!

Carrie said...

Buckeyes are one of my favorites! These look great!

Tif said...

These look so good...I think I might make them at a shower I am hosting!

Megan said...

So easy and looks killer. I'll be trying these.:)

MaryBeth said...

OMG....YUMM-O, I would eat these right up

Krista said...

I live in Ohio, but I'm not from Ohio. I've found that if you can make a decent buckeye, you fit right in at the neighborhood parties or with the other pre-school moms. lol. These really look good. Well done!