Buckeye Balls

Over the last ten years or so I have made buckeye balls for Christmas in honor of my Gramma O'Malley. She has been gone 9 years this past week. I remember them as my favorite part of her very glamorous cookie tray. Who knew that creating a cookie tray could be such a work of art! It has been one of my favorite things to create over the holidays. This year is tough, we decided no food dye at all. White frosting, holly wreaths that look like cornflakes? not as fun.

During my Gramma's last months we spent a lot of time with her. My mom and I would head up to WI with toddler Anna and baby David. During one of these visits we planned and hosted a bridge party for her and her friends. I will always remember this party as a lesson in "how it's done". I got to see them sit and plan, and what dishes to use and how to decorate the mantle, center pieces, prepare food and delight the guests. My gramma was wonderful at this and so were her daughters. Whenever I host an event I think back to my bridge party lesson. 

Buckeye Balls

1 1/2 cups peanut butter

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

cups confectioners' sugar

4 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Mix peanut butter, melted butter, vanilla and confectioners sugar and chill for 1 hour. 

Roll balls and chill

Melt chocolate and dip with a toothpick and let chocolate harden on wax paper.