Reflecting on 2023
LifeBridge Partnership has much to celebrate this holiday season. Thanks to our dedicated and hardworking staff, charitable volunteers, and generous donors, we had a great 2023 and are looking forward to continuing the mission with all of you in 2024!
It’s so easy to get frazzled with all the shopping, planning family gatherings, and preparing our homes for visits from family and friends. I encourage you to slow down, reflect on the reasons you celebrate and spend some quality time with your loved ones. I hope you enjoy the sights and sounds of the season. And, don’t be afraid to indulge in a few extra sweets. I am looking forward to making my family’s favorite Christmas cookies – Buckeyes – and watching them disappear.
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 cup smooth peanut butter
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
8 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon vegetable shortening
Directions
Line a baking sheet with parchment. Beat the confectioners' sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla and salt with an electric mixer in a medium bowl until well combined. Scoop 2-teaspoonful mounds, and roll into balls; arrange them on the prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes.
Microwave the chocolate and shortening in a microwave-safe medium bowl in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth, about 2 minutes.
Stick a toothpick or skewer into the top center of a peanut butter ball. Dip the ball into the melted chocolate, leaving a circle of peanut butter visible on top. Let the excess chocolate drip off, then return the buckeye to the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining peanut butter balls and chocolate.
Chill the buckeyes until firm, about 30 minutes. Smooth out the hole left by the toothpick with an offset spatula. Serve at room temperature or well chilled. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Merry Christmas and best wishes for the new year!
Karen Schuster, CEO