Day 13: A Buckeye at Heart

No matter where we (Dave & I) hang our hats, our hearts always belong to Ohio. It is where we were born, met (at age of 15), went to college (Ohio University, University of Dayton & The Ohio State University) and started our family. Ohio holds many great memories for us. Most of our friends and family still live there and those who don't probably feel the same. Once a Buckeye, Always a Buckeye...

To pay homage to the Heartland, I thought that making Buckeyes was in order. If you aren't familiar with a Buckeye, it is a peanut butter candy dipped in chocolate. Looks pretty much like the real thing. I pulled out Dave's Mee Maw's recipe but it made an amount that could feed a crowd and the thought of rolling little peanut butter balls all night just didn't work for me. Then JP said, call Miss Mandy, hers are the BEST. Oh, straight to the heart, I tell you. But, I would do anything for my boys, even if it meant admitting defeat in the Buckeye making arena. They are basically the same recipe in a manageable amount BUT the biggest difference is the surprise ingredient in her chocolate. Paraffin (i.e Gulf Wax). I immediately emailed her and said, "Isn't paraffin wax?" She answered yes, told me where to find it in the grocer and sent me on my merry little way. Just to put your mind at ease...

Paraffin wax, classified as a chemical preservative, is widely used on fruits, vegetables, and candy to make them shiny and pretty as well as to retard moisture loss and spoilage. Waxes are made from vegetable oils, palm oil derivatives, and synthetic resins, as well as other materials.

Yes, it is edible. Paraffin wax is often added to chocolates. The addition of paraffin to the chocolate candy gives it a nice, glossy finish and helps it remain solid at room temperature. Be aware that paraffin is flammable when overheated, so warm it gently in a double-boiler or microwave only to the point where it is melted. 

You can find paraffin wax, also sometimes called baker's wax or canning wax, in your grocery store where canning jars and supplies are sold. However, some paraffin is not intended to be ingested, such as that sold for candlemaking, so check the label. 

Gulf Wax Paraseal Canning Wax, Household Paraffin Wax is a popular brand of paraffin used for canning and chocolate-making. 

The recipe is super easy and be prepared if you have not had a Buckeye before that you will not just eat one. And, if you don't like the idea of wax, don't use it, Dave's Mee Maw didn't. You just have to refrigerate them after they are dipped to set the chocolate. 

Happy rolling and Go Bucks

Buckeyes
recipe from Mandy Ramicone

Center Mixture

1 1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 pound confectioners sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Mix all ingredients. Roll into small balls, about 1" in diameter. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Dip into chocolate mixture with wooden toothpick, leaving small amount uncovered. Once set, "smoosh" hole together with fingertip to cover toothpick mark.

Chocolate Mixture

Melt 1/2 bar paraffin (ok, mine came in 4 bars to an entire block and I only used one bar but recipe calls to use 2) and 12 oz. package semi-sweet chocolate chips in top of double boiler over hot water.