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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

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November 30, 2011

A Bucket Full of Buckeyes…A Holiday Recipe



Buckeyes…a classic Christmas treat! Many a buckeye has been fought over in our house over the years.  Our love of buckeyes goes way back to our early childhood when Vanessa and I would get our Christmas cookie box from grandma.  We waited with great anticipation for that special box full of our favorite Christmas goodies.  

Mine were the Buckeyes! I like to think this candy was the prequel to the Reece’s Peanut Butter cup, my all time favorite! I love this buckeye recipe because it makes almost 100 buckeyes!  That’s enough for me and I can even share a few with the other family members…just a few though.  Cause they’re more mine than theirs of course!

Now for those of you who are wondering why the thump they are called buckeyes, here ya go…..

Buckeye-tree-nut-lg

See the resemblance?  Buckeyes are from the buckeye tree.  Which happen to be common in Ohio, which is why it’s the “Buckeye State.”
 
Now if you’re a Ohio State fan than this what you think of when you hear buckeye.

Ohio-state-brutus-the-buckeye
 
Yep, that’s Brutus the Buckeye.  You’re welcome Chris and Tammi. They’re my crazy, rabid Ohio State friends.

Around these parts I do not willingly give free publicity to any school except the University of Alabama , so this will be the one and only time you will see any reference to Ohio State on this blog. Winking smile 

This is one of the easiest treats you can make for the holidays.  It makes a ton.  They don’t have to be baked. They can be frozen.  They have peanut butter and chocolate!  What more could you want?! So make them!  You won’t regret it!  And I’ll even come over and taste test them for you. grin.
 
Buckeyes
makes 85-100+ depending on how large or small you roll them.

Ingredients:

1 pound powdered confectioners sugar
1 cup flaked coconut
(unused coconut can be frozen for future use)
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
2 cups crunchy or creamy peanut butter, whichever you prefer
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 12 oz. package of chocolate chips
1/2- 1 Tbs. canola oil

Directions:

In a stand mixer with paddle attachment or by hand mix sugar, coconut, butter, peanut butter and graham cracker crumbs until well combined.  Refrigerate dough for 30 mins-1 hour until well chilled.  Roll into small balls and place on cookie sheets.  Chill again for an additional 30 minutes.

Melt chocolate chips in glass bowl in microwave according to package directions, stir until smooth.  Add canola oil starting with 1/2 Tbs. and stir until thinner and shining.  Add additional oil in small increments if chocolate is still too thick.  Do not add too much oil though, or chocolate coating will become too thin to stick.

Dip peanut butter balls into chocolate mixture using a small fork or a toothpick, allowing excess chocolate to drip off back into bowl.  Place buckeyes on wax paper until set.  Store buckeyes in fridge, or freeze in batches for future use. If your freeze buckeyes, allow them to thaw in refrigerator.
 
Buckeyes
 
Let me know if you try my Buckeye recipe! And don’t forget the Christmas Blogger Block Party will be starting next week! 
 
christmasblockpartyfinal
 
I will be hosting the “Christmas in the Kitchen” party where you can share not only your Christmas Kitchen decorations but your holiday recipes as well! So get to baking and cooking, so you can share your amazing culinary creations with us!
 
Be sure to join us tomorrow for a great giveaway from one of our fabulous sponsors 20NorthOra! See you tomorrow…At The Picket Fence!
 
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16 Comments Filed Under: Desserts, Holiday Blogger Block Party, Holidays, Recipes

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Comments

  1. Ruby Jean says

    November 29, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    Oh I can see why those would be fought over… They look extremely YUMMY!!!

    Reply
  2. Sue says

    November 29, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    I remember this post! That picture of Brutus could very well be my son’s good friend~ he was one of several mascots during his under grad years at OSU. I have been eating my own buckeyes for a week. Yum….. As for the ‘real’ Buckeyes, I sure hope Urban Meyer can turn them around! Go Bucks!

    Reply
  3. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    November 29, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    Oh I am definitely adding these to my cookie list this year Heather! They look like the type that you can just pop one in your mouth and go. The only problem is I wouldn’t stop at just one LOL! Martina

    Reply
  4. Gina says

    November 29, 2011 at 9:39 PM

    Yum, yum! I have not made these in years. I need to make them this year. I especially like how you arranged them in a bucket.

    Reply
  5. Judy says

    November 29, 2011 at 10:55 PM

    Those look so amazingly yummy! Nice presentation too.

    Reply
  6. Lorna says

    November 29, 2011 at 11:25 PM

    Wow, those look good. Adding them to my list of things to make this year.

    Reply
  7. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    November 29, 2011 at 11:36 PM

    My husband and I make a bunch of buckeyes for Christmas every year. We wrap them up pretty and give them away to our friends. They are soooo good!

    Reply
  8. Marilyn says

    November 30, 2011 at 12:26 AM

    Will have to see if my daughter will make some for us! I made a Christmas ball with real buckeyes a long time ago and would love to have a tree so I could have more. Wonder where I could get one?♥1♦

    Reply
  9. Kelly says

    November 30, 2011 at 2:08 AM

    Those look good. I’ve never made those before. It’s always fun to learn the history of how they got their name too. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  10. Buttercup Bliss says

    November 30, 2011 at 2:14 AM

    I have always heard of Buckeyes, but have never had one. So glad you shared this recipe. I will definitely try it soon! You had me at “Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup” 🙂

    Reply
  11. Debbie says

    November 30, 2011 at 2:19 AM

    Without a doubt, one of my favorite treats. We first made them as a school project for Miss Whimsy. (Actually she made them all by herself thankyouverymuch!

    Yours look better than mine usually do. Mine can look almost as bad as my bon bons.

    Reply
  12. Debbiedoo's blogging and blabbing says

    November 30, 2011 at 3:27 AM

    Those look crazy good! Can’t wait for next week. I was just figuring out my postings for next week…I have some work to do LOL!

    Reply
  13. Val says

    November 30, 2011 at 6:44 PM

    I believe I need some Buckeyes in my life!!! MMM

    Reply
  14. Kristin says

    December 1, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    Heather~ I am soooo making these bad boys!

    Reply
  15. Sue says

    December 1, 2011 at 11:54 PM

    My sister used to make these every Christmas. She’s been gone for six years and I have yet to try them. You’ve inspired me to dig out her recipe and keep it going:)

    Reply
  16. Ronny says

    April 16, 2014 at 8:00 AM

    Ahaa, iits nice conversation concerning thjs piece
    of writing at this place at this blog, I have read alll that, so now mee also commenting at this place.

    Reply

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