Ohio Buckeye Peanut Butter & Chocolate Candy

I simply cannot get enough of chocolate and peanut butter.. If the only foods left on earth were chocolate & peanut butter, I could survive! These little balls of bliss may be somewhat labor intensive, but us Ohioans go gaga over these. Time includes prep and refrigeration time.

• Ready In: 5 hrs
• Yields: 2 dozen

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups creamy peanut butter (I always use Jiff)
• 1⁄2 cup butter, softened
• 1⁄2 cup confectioners' sugar (powdered)
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract (use only pure, not imitation)
• 1 1⁄2 cups  milk chocolate chips
• 1⁄2 cup vegetable shortening (or 1 butter flavored shortening stick)
•  toothpick
•  wax paper

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix together peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar and vanilla.
2. Shape mixture into 1 inch balls, inserting 1 toothpick in top center.
3. Refrigerate balls for at least 2 hours.
4. Over low heat, melt shortening with chocolate chips until smooth.
5. Dip each peanut butter ball into chocolate leaving small uncoated top area (resembling a buckeye).
6. Cool on wax paper and refrigerate (or freeze) for additional 2 hours before serving.