Peanut Butter Balls (Buckeyes)

My favorite thing to make at Christmas are these chocolate covered peanut butter balls, also known as peanut butter truffles or buckeyes.  Peanut butter balls are an easy to put together, no bake candy that are absolutely sure to impress.  I have been making this treats for well over 15 years now - I usually make two or three batches and once they are all finished I place each truffle in a mini cupcake wrapper and box them up as little gifts for friends and neighbors!  (One batch makes about 60 peanut butter balls.)  

This delectable treat just takes 5 super simple ingredients, but make sure you plan ahead because they do take a little bit of time to assemble... you need to roll all the peanut butter balls, freeze them and then dip them in melted chocolate, (dipping them all in chocolate is a labor of love!)  However, it's TOTALLY worth it because it's a family and friend favorite!! 

A couple of tips for this recipe:

• Make sure you freeze the balls before dipping them - this not only makes them easier to dip, but helps the chocolate to firm up quickly.
• Get the family to help you dip - that is the longest part of the process and many hands make lighter work!
• Make sure you line your baking sheets with WAX paper - it makes it easy to remove the candies when you are ready to package.
• To get the perfect, thin drizzle over the top, I put some of the melted chocolate in a little baggie and snip just the very, very tip of the bag off of one corner.  
• Placing the truffles in mini cupcake wrappers takes them over the top for presentation.
• I've also used coconut oil instead of shortening and it works brilliantly - I use 1 Tbsp of coconut oil for each cup of chocolate chips.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups creamy peanut butter (not reduced fat)
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar 

• 2 cups semi sweet or dark chocolate chips
• 2-1/2 Tbsp vegetable shortening, (I use the butter flavored)

Instructions:

1. Line two baking sheets with waxed paper.  
2. Beat peanut butter and butter in large mixer bowl until creamy, 3 minutes or so.  
3. Beat in the powdered sugar until the mixture holds together.  (If it's too sticky add in a little extra powdered sugar.)  
4. Roll in to about 3/4 to 1 inch balls and place on prepared baking sheet.  Freeze for at least 1 hour.  
5. Melt chocolate chips and shortening in the microwave on high for one minute. Stir and if necessary, microwave at additional 20-30 second intervals until melted and smooth.  
6. Dip the frozen peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate using a fork and toothpick or chocolate dipping tool.  Shake off excess chocolate and return to baking sheet.  
7. Drizzle with additional chocolate if desired. 
8. Refrigerate till chocolate is set.  
9. Store in covered container in the refrigerator.