Did you know that Michelle is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio? It's no coincidence that one of her favorite desserts are called Buckeyes. These mouth-watering morsels filled with peanut butter and chocolate are a staple at the Duggars' holiday feasts and are usually provided by one of Michelle's older sisters.
Are you drooling yet? We have posted the recipe below, so you can head to the kitchen right now and whip up a batch. Share your Buckeyes with family and friends, or eat them all on your own (not recommended).
Buckeyes
Ingredients:
Balls:
1 lb. peanut butter
1 lb. powdered sugar
2 sticks melted butter
Shell:
1/2 slab paraffin wax (optional)**
12 oz. chocolate chips
Directions:
Combine all ball ingredients. Mix and shape into balls, then let cool on tray in freezer. Combine all shell ingredients in double boiler on low. Dip balls in shell with toothpick. Cool on waxed paper. Store in layers on wax paper.
**What is paraffin wax, and is it necessary?
Paraffin wax is made from palm oil derivatives, vegetable oils, synthetic resins and other materials. It is used on fruits, vegetables, candy, and chocolate to make them shiny. It is edible, but not everyone can tolerate it. (People who are allergic to aspirin may be allergic to paraffin.) If you prefer not to use paraffin, properly tempering the chocolate will give the same effect. It all depends on how you treat the chocolate and the temperatures to which the Buckeyes will be exposed.
These are awesome...anyone who hasn't tried them needs to! I'm also from Ohio and grew up eating these. There's a variation on the recipe that's called Peanut Butter Creams, they used to serve them at my school as a dessert all the time. (Ah...memories...) Rather than dipping the ball in the chocolate, mix some chocolate chips into the peanut butter mixture. Probably about 2 cups worth, but use more if you're a chocoholic. and serve in mini cupcake wrappers. At my school we always used mini chocolate chips, but you can use full size ones, too! Chill them in the fridge until you're ready to serve them. YUM!!!
ReplyDeleteLove that (not recommended) bit. :)
ReplyDeleteJust wondering what 1/2 a slab of paraffin does? None of the recipes I've seen has it.
I have an allergy version of this recipe (e.g. no peanut butter (?!) :D and not butter!)
Um, you're supposed to eat the paraffin? :S I really don't think that's a good idea, it is a petroleum product, after all, and it could be contaminated with various dangerous substances...
ReplyDeleteHi Sara and Anonymous!
ReplyDeleteParaffin wax (also called bakers wax or canning wax) is used on fruits, vegetables, candy, and chocolate to make them shiny. It is edible, but not everyone can tolerate it (especially those allergic to aspirin).
If you prefer not to use paraffin, properly tempering the chocolate will give the same effect. It all depends on how you treat the chocolate and the temperatures to which the Buckeyes will be exposed.
Hope this helps!
Lily and Ellie
Paraffin is edible, it is approved by the Food and Drug administration to be used in/on foods. I use it all the time on our buckeyes and nobody has gotten sick from it. It is such a small amount that is actually consumed that unless someone has a severe allergy to it, it shouldn't have any harmful effects. Use discretion of course, if you don't feel comfortable using it, the buckeyes can be dipped in dipping chocolate (found in most grocery stores) that has a different type of edible wax already in it. I just finished making over 300 buckeyes for Christmas, gave them to dozens of people and no one has had any ill effects from the paraffin. We do this every Christmas and have always had people coming back for more - hope that helps :-)
ReplyDeletethat sounds so very yummy!
ReplyDeleteYummers! We tried a version of there before and they are superb! Chocolate makes me smile :)
ReplyDeleteSounds nice! I'd make it without the paraffin though...
ReplyDeleteIf you're allergic to aspirin? Does this contain aspirin derivatives. Should i worry about reye syndrome in kids eating it or me eating it while breastfeeding?
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous (at 10:53 AM)
ReplyDeleteThe Duggars have several little ones and, as far as we know, have not mentioned paraffin being potentially harmful to children.
Paraffin wax is made from palm oil derivatives, vegetable oils, synthetic resins and other materials. People who are allergic to aspirin MAY be allergic to paraffin, depending on its ingredients.
If you prefer not to use paraffin, properly tempering the chocolate will give the same effect.
~Lily and Ellie
Wow! I live right by Cincinnati, Ohio! And these are really good!!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI,m from Fremint Ohio and I will have to try and make for my mom she loves these things I like them to
ReplyDeleteI'm 55 yrs old and we have always used paraffin in our dipping chocolate. It hasn't bothered anybody yet. If you don't have any I have used a tablespoon of Crisco to a bag of chips. It takes a little longer to set up but it works. I can remember my granny using paraffin on top of jellies when she ran out of lids when I was a little girl. Its been used for years around here.
ReplyDeleteA Glorious Morning to you: I made these last year dec 23rd 2011. I was so excited because I had heard they were delightful and I love Chocolate and Peanut butter. I was at the point of the wax and oops; the knife slipped and I cut 2tendons and the digital nerve in my finger; drove to the ER and the rest is history. Came home and finished the buckeyes but, with much more carefulness! Thank you for sharing your amazing recipe with us and it's that time of year again only the wax isn't going to win. Have a very Merry Christmas and may God Bless you all.
ReplyDeleteYou can substitute candy making chocolate in place of the parafin and chocolate chips for dipping. I have done it both ways. Have a pound in my freezer right now>
ReplyDeleteYou can also substitute it with Crisco Solid in the can. I use it when I make my Buskeyes all the time. I keeps the chocolate from melting
ReplyDeleteI am engaged to a wonderful man who is also from Ohio. I was wanting to have these for our wedding favors and was looking for a wonderful recipe. It looks like I found one that I can use to make them. Thanks for putting this on the blog.
ReplyDeletecan use 2 T. shortening to 12 of semisweet chocolate chips to provide the staying power and the shine.
ReplyDeleteI made these and used shortening instead of the paraffin because that is what I had and it turned out great
ReplyDeleteYou can also use coconut oil instead of the wax...
ReplyDeleteI was wondering how many this makes? A pound of peanut butter and a pound of powdered sugar sounds like it makes a lot. How would I make a smaller amount? I'm not even sure how much a pound of PB would be....
ReplyDeleteWow! i love this recipe!
ReplyDelete