# need to recreate an old recipe for peanut butter balls **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 16, 2008, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-recreate-an-old-recipe-for-peanut-butter-balls/477325 "2008-12-16T01:07:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-recreate-an-old-recipe-for-peanut-butter-balls/477325/41 "2008-12-17T18:45:27Z")
> [@BurnMeUp](#): > > I also add some chopped up marschino cherries as well. In the middle so when you bite into it you get some nice red goo? Hey, strawberry jam might work too. ---
**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-recreate-an-old-recipe-for-peanut-butter-balls/477325/42 "2008-12-17T18:48:02Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > In the middle so when you bite into it you get some nice red goo? Hey, strawberry jam might work too. Actually not for goo, just for the taste of cherries. it wasn’t until this thread I’d ever heard of them called buckeyes, I always just called them “chocolate peanut butter balls”. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-recreate-an-old-recipe-for-peanut-butter-balls/477325/43 "2008-12-17T19:59:42Z")
Ok, just to stay on topic here and to switch to culinary mode. I conceed that there might be a slight difference between “Peanut Butter Balls” and “Buckeyes”. But that difference is purely cosmetic… they are made of the same ingredients, the difference being that the “Buckeye” is only three quarters dipped in chocolate to leave the “peanut butter pupil”, whereas a "peanut butter ball might be fully dipped and enrobed in chocolate to resemble a [demoneye](http://www.designtutorials.info/images/demon-eye.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-recreate-an-old-recipe-for-peanut-butter-balls/477325/44 "2008-12-17T20:15:33Z")
It’s pretty interesting to note that a [buckeye](http://images.google.com/images?q=buckeye&ie=utf-8&oe=UTF-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi&oi=property_suggestions&resnum=0&ct=property-revision&cd=1) in any form doesn’t really resemble a [deer eye](http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=deer+eye&btnG=Search+Images), as the deer eye has a dark pupil and a brown cornea… just the opposite in concentric coloring of a buckeye ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-recreate-an-old-recipe-for-peanut-butter-balls/477325/45 "2008-12-17T20:25:29Z")
> [@devilsknew](#): > > It’s pretty interesting to note that a [buckeye](http://images.google.com/images?q=buckeye&ie=utf-8&oe=UTF-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi&oi=property_suggestions&resnum=0&ct=property-revision&cd=1) in any form doesn’t really resemble a [deer eye](http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=deer+eye&btnG=Search+Images), as the deer eye has a dark pupil and a brown cornea… just the opposite in concentric coloring of a buckeye Maybe deer eyes looked different in the olden days? Deers of yore probably started shedding those old eyes and grew new ones that looked less like buckeyes (the nut or confection) as a defense mechanism lest someone try to eat their eyes mistaking them for yummy peanut butter confections. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-recreate-an-old-recipe-for-peanut-butter-balls/477325/46 "2008-12-17T20:27:27Z")
> [@BurnMeUp](#): > > I also add some chopped up marschino cherries as well. Recipe, please? ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-recreate-an-old-recipe-for-peanut-butter-balls/477325/47 "2008-12-17T21:56:27Z")
I remember my mom making them with paraffin wax for some reason. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-recreate-an-old-recipe-for-peanut-butter-balls/477325/48 "2008-12-17T21:57:36Z")
Most recipes call for paraffin, to keep the chocolate from getting too soft at room temperature, I believe. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-recreate-an-old-recipe-for-peanut-butter-balls/477325/49 "2008-12-17T22:26:59Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > In the middle so when you bite into it you get some nice red goo? Hey, strawberry jam might work too. Or a little bit of an almond cream filling, perhaps? ---
**Author:** ![Hero\_From\_Sector\_7G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@Hero\_From\_Sector\_7G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hero_From_Sector_7G)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-recreate-an-old-recipe-for-peanut-butter-balls/477325/50 "2008-12-18T00:47:49Z")
I was inspired by this thread and my girlfriend and I spent the evening making buckeyes. If there is any objection to the term, we found that sticky, salty, black balls worked well too. I imagine we’ll be gobbling these yummy balls all weekend. ---
**Author:** ![Hero\_From\_Sector\_7G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@Hero\_From\_Sector\_7G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hero_From_Sector_7G)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-recreate-an-old-recipe-for-peanut-butter-balls/477325/51 "2008-12-18T01:14:04Z")
…we also put the graham crackers in chocolate as well as the peanut butter mixture. They looked a little rough, but had a delicious crust around them So we have some smooth black balls, and some prickly black balls. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-recreate-an-old-recipe-for-peanut-butter-balls/477325/52 "2008-12-18T04:57:19Z")
Why not just enclose a Hershey’s cherry kiss, a maraschino cherry, a fresh brandy soaked cherry, or a chocolate covered cherry in the center of the Peanut Butter Ball (conf. sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla.). Dip in a Dark Chocolate and Cream Ganache for the OSU vs. UM game. Not a lot of people know that Michigan is a major [Cherry Producing State](http://www.google.com/search?q=Michigan+Cherries&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a). ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-recreate-an-old-recipe-for-peanut-butter-balls/477325/53 "2008-12-18T06:08:25Z")
> [@Hero\_From\_Sector\_7G](#): > > I was inspired by this thread and my girlfriend and I spent the evening making buckeyes. If there is any objection to the term, we found that sticky, salty, black balls worked well too. I imagine we’ll be gobbling these yummy balls all weekend. If you decide to refrigerate your balls and then take them out and let them sit at room temperature you should be aware that your balls might get sweaty. Some people may not mind but it’s not as aesthetically pleasing as smooth, dry balls. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-recreate-an-old-recipe-for-peanut-butter-balls/477325/54 "2008-12-18T06:51:09Z")
> [@devilsknew](#): > > Why not just enclose a Hershey’s cherry kiss, a maraschino cherry, a fresh brandy soaked cherry, or a chocolate covered cherry in the center of the Peanut Butter Ball (conf. sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla.). Dip in a Dark Chocolate and Cream Ganache for the OSU vs. UM game. > Not a lot of people know that Michigan is a major [Cherry Producing State](http://www.google.com/search?q=Michigan+Cherries&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a). Because it is ganache, it will take to adherents… Roll the Demoneyes in Cocoa Powder or Coconut, or Almonds, or maybe graham cracker crumbs. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-recreate-an-old-recipe-for-peanut-butter-balls/477325/55 "2008-12-18T07:06:59Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > If you decide to refrigerate your balls and then take them out and let them sit at room temperature you should be aware that your balls might get sweaty. Some people may not mind but it’s not as aesthetically pleasing as smooth, dry balls. Yes, but a lot of people find it very enjoyable to put some warm, sweaty balls in their mouth and suck them. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-recreate-an-old-recipe-for-peanut-butter-balls/477325/56 "2008-12-18T10:38:00Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > If you decide to refrigerate your balls and then take them out and let them sit at room temperature you should be aware that your balls might get sweaty. Some people may not mind but it’s not as aesthetically pleasing as smooth, dry balls. I make Schwetty Balls every Christmas, and they are a big hit. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-recreate-an-old-recipe-for-peanut-butter-balls/477325/57 "2008-12-18T12:02:27Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Yes, but a lot of people find it very enjoyable to put some warm, sweaty balls in their mouth and suck them. [Crazy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ass)! ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-recreate-an-old-recipe-for-peanut-butter-balls/477325/58 "2008-12-18T19:44:40Z")
I guess I’m just dense, but I never before made the connection between “Buckeye” and the actual eye of an actual buck. To me it always meant the nut or the OSU football team. PB balls look like the nut, not like the eye. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-recreate-an-old-recipe-for-peanut-butter-balls/477325/59 "2008-12-18T19:52:08Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Yes, but a lot of people find it very enjoyable to put some warm, sweaty balls in their mouth and suck them. And near the seashore where there is a lot of salt in the air some of the condensation could precipitate salt crystals to form on the balls. So you could take them inside, let them dry out, and then you’ve got salty chocolate balls. I hear the late Isaac Hayes had some great chocolate salty balls, but they weren’t as good a creation as his “Theme from Shaft” So, on the Isaac Hayes accomplishment scale goes. Shaft Chocolate Salty Balls Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![Hero\_From\_Sector\_7G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@Hero\_From\_Sector\_7G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hero_From_Sector_7G)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-recreate-an-old-recipe-for-peanut-butter-balls/477325/60 "2008-12-18T20:04:41Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > I guess I’m just dense, but I never before made the connection between “Buckeye” and the actual eye of an actual buck. To me it always meant the nut or the OSU football team. > > PB balls look like the nut, not like the eye. We don’t call 'em buckeyes, and you’re right, Big Black Balls do look like nuts. Thankfully we don’t offend anyone when we carefully lick these delicious treats. I plan on giving them out in little gift bags this year. I know my mom will love a sack of black balls. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-recreate-an-old-recipe-for-peanut-butter-balls/477325.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-recreate-an-old-recipe-for-peanut-butter-balls/477325.md?page=4)