Sweet and Cheesy...

Update: It will probably take you 2 bags of choc. chips for the buckeyes. 

I smell like peanut butter, but my kitchen smells like ranch dressing.

Tonight for dinner, I made Cheesy Ranch Burgers. For dessert/a late Christmas gift for my co-workers, I made Buckeyes.

Now, if you aren't from Ohio, or aren't an Ohio State fan, you may not know what these little treats called Buckeyes are. In short, they are peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate, made to look like the state tree's nut, a buckeye.

Buckeyes:
4 Cups Powdered Sugar
2 Cups Peanut Butter (generic works better)
1/2 Cup Butter
1 pkg Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Paraffin Wax (to keep the chocolate shiny and smooth)

Combine the Powdered Sugar, Peanut Butter, and Butter. (This creates a pretty thick mixture, I use my hands and knead it into a dough of sorts.) The result should be a thick, well blended mass, that sticks together, but crumbles when pieces are pinched. Roll into approx 1 inch balls, refrigerate for 1 hour. Meanwhile, melt Chocolate Chips and enough Paraffin Wax to make the chocolate smooth and shiny (not too much) in a fondue pot/double boiler. Using toothpicks (or dipping stick) dip balls into chocolate, and place onto aluminum foil or wax paper, approx 1 inch apart. When finished, and  chocolate is dried, store candies in refrigerator or freezer. Makes approximately 77 balls.

Cheesy Ranch Burgers:
1 oz pkg Ranch powder mix
1 cup shredded cheese
1 to 1 1/2 lbs ground beef

Combine ingredients. Grill on George Foreman (very greasy). So Yummy!! Makes 4-6 burgers.

My husband absolutely loves the Ranch Burgers. Anytime I suggest making hamburgers, these are the only ones he lets me make!

Happy cooking!