Buckeyes

3/4 c. butter (no sustitutes)
3 3/4 c. sifted powdered sugar
1 c. peanut butter
1 T. milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
16 oz. semi-sweet chocolate
1 T. shortening

Combine melted butter and 2 cups powdered sugar in medium bowl. Beat until smooth. Add peanut butter, milk and vanilla. Beat enough remaining sugar to make firm, crumbly mixture. Roll mixture into 1-inch balls. Arrange on tray. Chill 30 minutes. Melt chocolate and shortening in heavy saucepan over low heat. Cool slightly. Using fork, dip 3/4 of each ball into chocolate. Remelt mixture over low heat if chocolate hardens. Place balls on tray lined with wax paper. Chill until firm. Store in refrigerator. Makes about 72.

By Barb G.

Grandma Vasko's Butter Cookies

1 c. sugar
1 c. butter
1 tsp. baking powder
3 egg yolks
3 c. flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and combine. Combine flower and baking powder. Add to butter mixture, one cup at a time, combining thoroughly after each addition. Roll out on floured board to approximately 1/8-inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters. Bake on cookie sheets until lightly brown on bottom. Cool. Decorate with butter cream icing of your choice.

By Angela P.

Rum Balls

2 T. corn syrup or honey
2 c. vanilla wafers, ground
1 c. powdered sugar
2 T. cocoa powder
1 c. nuts, ground
1/4 to 1/3 c. rum
Granulated sugar

In a large bowl, combine corn syrup or honey, vanilla wafers, powdered sugar, cocoa powder and nuts. Add 1/4 cup of rum. Mix well. Mixture should be able to hold a ball shape but not be too tacky. In necessary, add more rum to get the right consistency. Shape into balls about the diameter of a nickel. roll in granulated sugar. Store in an airtight container.

By Angela P.

Chocolate Chunk Cookies

8 oz. unsalted butter, room temperature
1 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 1/2 c. unbleached flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. sea salt
1 lb. chocolate chunks (semi-sweet)

Beat butter, sugars, vanilla and eggs until light and fluffy. Mix flour, soda, salt and cinnamon in a separate bowl. Blend flour misture into butter mixture. Stir in chocolate chunks. Cover and chill. Roll dough into balls and place on greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 12 minutes. For golf ball-sized dough, bake 12 minutes.

By Liz R.