Valerie’s Crunchy Toffee-Peanut Butter Buckeyes

Did you know that today is National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day? I suppose the correct way to observe this day would be to talk about how to make your own Peanut Butter. I’m sure there are recipes out there and that making your own Peanut Butter isn’t all that complicated. You can bet your bottom dollar it’s a heck of a lot healthier, too. I’m just not that into Peanut Butter, except maybe slathered over my pancakes with a good helping of maple syrup. And, yeah I like Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches, too. But where I really like Peanut Butter is in candies.

One of my favorite cooking shows has to be Valerie Bartinelli’s gig on Food Network. While I like to watch shows with “real” chefs to help fine-tune my culinary skills, it’s the shows that feature non-professional chefs that are the best for recipes. I adore escargot, but really how often are you going to serve up some snails? However, some melt in your mouth Buckeyes and the whole family is clamoring from more.

Valerie’s Crunchy Toffee Buckeyes
Buckeyes
1 cup Peanut Butter
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Pinch kosher salt
1 cup Powdered Sugar, sifted
3/4 cup Heath Chips (or 3 candy bars, chopped)
12 ounces Semi-sweet Chocolate, chopped

Special Equipment
Wooden Toothpicks

Combine the peanut butter, vanilla and salt in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer, adding about 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar at a time, until all the sugar is incorporated and the mixture is stiff and dry to the touch. Mix the toffee by hand.

Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls (about 32) and place on plates. Insert a toothpick into the center of each ball and freeze until firm, 1 hour.

Once the balls are frozen, put the chopped chocolate in a small, heat-safe bowl. Set the bowl over a saucepan filled with 1/2 inch of barely simmering water (make sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water) and heat, stirring, until melted.

Remove the balls from the freezer and, one at a time, dip them in the chocolate, leaving a small round of peanut butter still visible. Let the excess chocolate drip off before returning the balls to the plate. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Remove the toothpick before serving.

Author: Rosemarie's Kitchen

I'm a wife, mother, grandmother and avid home cook.I believe in eating healthy whenever possible, while still managing to indulge in life's pleasures. View all posts by Rosemarie's Kitchen