Peanut Butter Balls (a.k.a. Buckeyes)

These are a holiday staple, and our grandma made them with a little twist, adding some crunch with Wheaties.  We call them "peanut butter balls" since we're a Michigan Wolverines household, too. ;)

Peanut Butter Balls (a.k.a. Buckeyes)

Gram Hertel

Cream together:

1-1/2 sticks margarine (I use butter and it works fine, too)

2 c. peanut butter

1 lb. powdered sugar

Mix in:

 1 12 oz. box of crushed Wheaties cereal

Mix will and shape with hands into walnut-sized balls (we actually make them a lot smaller now).  Stick in the freezer to firm up while heating the chocolate. 

Melt in a double boiler:

1/2 bar wax (we use 1-2 tbsp. of coconut oil instead now)

6 oz. chocolate chips (We use Trader Joe's big red bar of dark chocolate, or a combination of whatever  bulk chocolate we have on hand, and it's usually about 8 ounces.  If we have leftover, we dip some pretzels afterward.)

Use a small skewer to dip balls into chocolate.  You can leave the top uncoated for the "buckeye" appearance, or go all in - whatever works!  Cool on parchment and store in a cool, dry place (we stick them out on our chilly covered porch or in the fridge).