Some people around here call these “Buckeyes”.  Not in this home.  You see, to us a Buckeye is an Ohio State fan and since hubby is a University of Michigan grad the word “buckeye” can not be uttered in this home.  (FYI, OSU and U of M are totally not BFF’s. *wink*)  So in this home they are simply Peanut Butter Balls.  K? Glad we’re all clear on that.  Moving on…

These are a must in our home around the holidays.  We have a couple of girlies with peanut allergies so I always make sure to make something else that’s yummy and melt-in-your-mouth chocolatey for them to eat.  Early in our marriage (after I’d learned to cook) hubby assisted me (ie., coated the pb balls in chocolate) in making a TON of these for Christmas gifts.  It was like an I Love Lucy episode.  I was Lucy and he was Ethel.  There was chocolate everywhere.  We were definitely well preserved in chocolate!  So we packaged them up and rolled our ways to our home town for Christmas where everyone loved their gifts!   I say rolled because our packaging efforts were more like “one for them, two for me” sort of deal.  I think I gained 10 pounds that night!  It was o.k., though, because I was expecting our first baby. *wink*

So…anywho…here’s the recipe!

Peanut Butter Balls
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 T butter, softened
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
1 11 oz. bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 T shortening

Stir together peanut butter and margarine.  Gradually add sugar, stirring til combined.  Shape into 1-inch balls and place on waxed paper.  Let stand about 20 minutes.  Melt chocolate chips and shortening.  (I place it in the microwave for 30 second increments stirring each time until melted.)  Cool slightly.  Dip balls into melted chocolate; let excess drip off.  Place on the waxed paper and let stand until it’s dry and solid.

Makes about 30 or 10 if you make it the way we do… one for you, two for me.  *wink*