Chocolate Buckeyes & Crock Pot Chocolate Candy

These easy homemade chocolate candies are perfect for Valentines Day and Christmas.

Hi everyone!!! Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Only six more days left if you're counting. Are you ready? When it comes to ♥ Valentine's Day ♥ is all about spoiling your family and loved ones. Today I wanted to share two yummy homemade creations that I think will be perfect for that special someone in your life. 

You can always buy store bought chocolates, but you can bet that they will be ridiculously overpriced for even the smallest of boxes. Why not make them yourself instead. Don't worry it's a lot easier than you think. Not to mention the person that you are gifting these yummy little chocolates to will love them. Especially when they find out that you made them yourself. 

If I know one thing peanut butter and chocolate go together just like peas and carrots. A perfect match made in heaven if you ask me. When I was thinking of a sweet treat to make for Valentine's Day, Chocolate Buckeyes was the first candy that came to mind. Most folks usually make these at Christmas time, but they are also perfect for Valentine's Day. Line them up in a pretty heart shaped or valentine themed box for a simple yet pretty gift.

Instead of just one chocolate treat why not make a variety. I chose Crock Pot Chocolate Candy for our second Valentine treat. Making Candy in your crock pot is really simple. The only thing you need to keep in mind is the temperature.

 You don't want to cook it too high or you will scorch the chocolate. Just remember low and slow and you will be fine. Over the Christmas Holiday I made some Chocolate Pecan & Chocolate Crispy Candy Cups. They turned out really good and everyone loved them. But it got me thinking how would they taste if I mixed in some vanilla along with all that chocolate? 

Well no time better than Valentines Day to find out. With my crock pot in hand I mixed and melted all the chocolates together. Semi Sweet, German, Chocolate Almond Bark and Vanilla Almond Bark. I have to say the combination was out of this world good!!!! I have included some step by step photos below of this easy crock pot chocolate candy.

To me the vanilla bark mellowed out all that chocolate perfectly. I think I have found a new favorite way to make homemade candy y'all. I added dry roasted peanuts to mine, but feel free to use your favorite add in's.

Using a 2 or 4 quart size crock pot. Add the chocolate chips, milk chocolate almond bark, German chocolate squares, vanilla almond bark and peanuts. Set the temperature on your crock pot to low. Cover and cook for 2-3 hours without stirring. When the chocolate is completely melted stir to combine.

Drop the candy by tablespoons into cupcake lined mini muffin tins. You can also use regular muffin tins and use about 2 tablespoons of the chocolate mixture. Allow the candy to cool before removing the paper liners.

These yummy little buckeyes start with creamy peanut butter of course. Look at my cute little Gooseberry Patch measuring cup? I have the whole set and indeed they are my favorite measuring cups that I own.

OK lets get started on making some buckeyes. In a large bowl combine the confectioners sugar, butter, peanut butter, and vanilla. Mix well. (I used my hand mixer). I also used my small cookie scoop to make the buckeye balls.

Scoop out one scoopful of the peanut butter mixture. Roll into small balls and place on parchment paper, waxed paper or foil. Place the balls in the freezer and freeze for 2 hours. Melt the chocolate bark in the microwave for 3 minutes on the defrost setting.

Continue in 3 minute intervals until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Using a toothpick dip each ball into the melted chocolate about 2/3 deep. Leave a portion of the peanut butter showing. Set on parchment paper to cool completely and harden.

Once they chocolate hardens dig in and enjoy!!!

Chocolate Buckeyes

Ingredients: 
2 1/2 - cups confectioner's sugar (powdered sugar)
1/2 - cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1/2 - cup + 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
1/2 - teaspoon vanilla extract
12 oz - chocolate candy coating (I prefer Plymouths Pantry)

Directions:
In a large bowl combine the confectioners sugar, butter, peanut butter, and vanilla. Mix well.

Using a small cookie scoop to make the balls.

Scoop out one scoopful of peanut butter mixture. Roll into small balls and place on parchment paper.

Place the balls in the freezer for 2 hours.

Melt the chocolate almond bark in the microwave for 3 minutes on the defrost setting. Continue in 3 minute intervals until the chocolate is melted and smooth.

Using a toothpick dip each ball into the melted chocolate about 2/3 deep. Leave a portion of the peanut butter showing. Set on parchment paper to completely harden.

Recipe yields: 2 dozen

Buckeye recipe adapted from: The Red Hat Society Cookbook

Crock Pot Chocolate Candy
{mommyskitchen.net}

Ingredients:
1 - 24 oz block Plymouth pantry chocolate almond bark
1 - 24 oz block Plymouth pantry vanilla almond bark
1 - 12 oz package semi sweet chocolate chips
4 - squares bakers German sweet chocolate
1 - 16 oz jar dry roasted peanuts (more if you like lots of peanuts)

Using a 2 or 4 quart crock pot. Add the chocolate chips, chocolate almond bark, German chocolate squares, vanilla almond bark and peanuts.

Set the temperature on low and cover. Cook for 3 hours without stirring. When the chocolate is completely melted stir to combine.

Drop the candy by tablespoons into cupcake lined mini muffin tins.

You can also use regular muffin tin and use about 2 tablespoons of the chocolate mixture.

Allow the candy to cool before removing the paper liners.

Recipe yields: 30-40 pieces

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