Cookie #55 - Ohio Buckeyes

"In old Columbus there's a team

That's known throughout the land

Eleven warriors brave and bold

Whose fame will ever stand

And when the ball goes over,

Our cheers will reach the sky

Ohio Field will hear again

The Buckeye Battle Cry! "

Never heard of a buckeye?  It's a type of chestnut:

 

It's also the Ohio State mascot, Brutus:

It's also a delcious type of peanut butter candy:

Those peanut butter candies were also my inspiration for these cookies.  Rather than a mixture of peanut butter, butter and powdered sugar, I made a peanut butter cookie.  After dipping them in chocolate, they look just like a buckeye nut:

Their rich and peanut buttery, yet crumbly like a good buttery cookie.  I do think they next time I made them, I'll add some crushed peanuts to the mix just to change up the texture. 

Ohio Buckeye Cookies

2 cups flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

2 tablespoons vegetable shortening

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cream butter, peanut butter and sugar together until smooth.  Mix in vanilla.

Sift together flour and salt and add to butter mixture until just combined.

Roll dough into 1" balls and place on a parchment lined cookie sheets.  These cookies don't spread, so you can place them about an inch or so apart.

Bake for 10-12 minutes.  Allow to cool completely on a wire rack.

Meanwhile, melt semisweet chocolate and shortening together in a double boiler until smooth.  Dip cookies about 3/4 of the way and place on either parchment or a wire rack.  Transfer to the fridge to set the chocolate.