For the Love of Peanut Butter

March 1 officially marks Peanut Butter Lover's Day. I'm sure George Washington Carver, the father of peanut butter, would find it hard to believe that his invention has now been a household staple for more than half a century. While the most basic use for peanut butter is pairing with jelly for a sandwich, it can also be used in sauces for nutty sweetness or incorporated into desserts. 

There's no doubt that peanut butter is magical with chocolate. Buckeye candy is a popular Ohio treat, using nothing more than peanut butter sweetened with a little powdered sugar, rolled into balls and dipped into melted chocolate. It's a simple and delicious way to celebrate Peanut Butter Lover's Day. 

Buckeyes 

Makes 3 dozen

1 jar of creamy peanut butter (avoid old-fashioned style peanut butter)
 2 cups powdered sugar, plus additional
 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
 12 oz. bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

Beat together peanut butter, powdered sugar and butter until combined. Place mixture in refrigerator for 2 hours or until firm.

Dust hands with powdered sugar. Using a teaspoon, form balls from cold peanut butter. Place toothpicks in each ball and freeze until firm.

When peanut butter balls are frozen, melt chocolate over double boiler. Using the toothpick, dip each ball into the chocolate, leaving part of the top of the peanut ball exposed. Place dipped balls onto wax paper and cool in the refrigerator.

Buckeyes will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator in an air-tight container, or a month in the freezer.

Photo: Steven Depolo, CreativeCommons 2.0