Day 3 - Buckeyes

Take out a stick of butter and will it to soften in the cold, winter kitchen.

Finally, when you think it may be softened enough, add 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter. Throw in a splash of vanilla that looks like it could equal a teaspoon.

Ignore the instructions about sifting and measuring the powdered sugar. Instead, before opening the bag of sugar, give it a massage or two to break up the biggest lumps, then toss it all in because one box is supposedly approximately 4 cups.

Then, even though the measurements and other important things were ignored, follow the directions when they say to mix these ingredients with hands. Of course, for this project a little hand scum won't hurt because, hey, it's all in the family. Note to self if making these for others: mix with a spoon or one of those new-fangled inventions called a mixer.


Wish with all your heart that the children would be patient enough to make sure each ball is equal, but resign yourself to allowing the children to form the dough into whatever size balls they wish. And then allow them to place them haphazardly on the waxpaper-covered pan. And then go back and re-organize. And maybe reshape a few of them.

Then place them precariously on top of stuff in the garage refrigerator because the regular refrigerator is still too full of Thanksgiving leftovers.


Answer this question at least a hundred times in 30 minutes: "Mom, is it time to decorate them yet?"

Finally, it's time to decorate them. Even though you have banned the use of shortening in your kitchen because lard just ain't good for anyone, melt the chocolate with 2 tablespoons of shortening because that's how you're supposed to do it.

Then dip each peanut butter ball in the chocolate. Although various web pictures show the peanut butter peeking out of the top, you know that everything is much better fully encased in chocolate, so immerse each one in chocolate, rolling them around for good measure, giving them a virtual Chocolate Bath.

Follow the directions and return the chocolate bathed balls to the waxed paper only to realize that the generous amount of chocolate you have afforded each one is pooling up and will therefore leave a strange looking, hardened pool of chocolate under each buckeye.

Transfer to a cooling rack.

Then melt the red and green chocolate disks in pastry bags.


Allow the children to decorate the Buckeyes, biting your tongue when you wish to tell them their blobs of design would look prettier as little designs of holly and ivy or something because you know that since these designs come from them, they are indeed beautiful no matter how you look at it.

Once everyone has decorated their fair share, allow them to dispose of the leftover chocolate in the only logical way.

And enjoy!

Here is the recipe without interruptions:

Buckeyes

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c. creamy peanut butter

1/2 c. butter, softened

1 t. vanilla

4 c. sifted confectioners' sugar

6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 T. shortening

Directions:

1. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper; set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, mix peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar with hands to form a smooth, stiff dough. Shape into balls using 2 teaspoons of dough for each ball. Place on prepared pan and refrigerate.

3. Melt shortening and chocolate together in a metal bowl over a pan of lightly simmering water (otherwise known as a double boiler). Stir occasionally until smooth and remove from heat.

4. Remove balls from refrigerator. Insert a wooden toothpick into a ball and dip into melted chocolate. Return to wax paper, chocolate side down, and remove toothpick. Repeat with remaining balls. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.