I consider myself a 'country-girl',  even though I was born in Ohio.  My family moved to the mountains when I was in 8th grade... so I have lived in Tennessee pretty much my whole life.  Although I absolutely LOVE the rich mountain traditions that are prevelant in this area, I still hold a few of those "Yankee" traditions dear to my heart. 

One of those traditions are buckeyes.  My mom makes them every year for Christmas. Although they are technically not 'cookies'  they are still one of favorite Christmas treats.  I hope you enjoy  them, too.

---

Peanut Butter Buckeyes
Prep time: 1 hr.     Chill:  8 hrs.

by My Wonderful Mom (a.k.a. WM)



Ingredients:
1 3/4 cup peanut butter
1 cup of butter
4 1/4 cups of 10x sugar
2 cups semi-sweet choc. pieces
1 Tbsp. veg. oil
Toothpicks

Directions:
Cream peanut butter & butter.  Add sugar & mix well.  Roll into small balls (3/4").  Place on wax paper and chill overnite. 

Melt chocolate & oil over hot water. (Double-boiler)  Using toothpicks spear each ball, dip in chocolate.  Place back on wax paper.  Refrigerate to harden.


Optional:  Cherry Chocolate Morsels
Wrap mixture around maraschino cherries, roll in pistachio nuts after dipping in melted chocolate.