Peanut Butter + Chocolate = HEAVEN!   I have loved this combination for as long as I can remember.  Growing up my mom always made us Ohio State Buckeyes around Christmas time so I decided to pass on the tradition in my family too.  The only difference - is that these buckeyes are gluten-free and instead of balls, they’re all bark!

Buckeye Bark

Ingredients: (all gluten-free)

• 2 lbs dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 pound natural earth balance peanut butter, creamy
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 stick butter substitute (earth balance), melted
• 1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

Melt 1 lb. chocolate and spread over parchment paper lined cookie sheet to 1/8″ - 1/4″ thick.  Place in freezer.

Whip peanut butter, sugar, butter, and vanilla together until smooth and creamy.  Take chocolate out of freezer and spread peanut butter over chocolate layer.  Place back in freezer.

Melt remaining chocolate and spread on top of peanut butter mixture.  Freeze until set.  Take out of freezer and let sit on counter for about 15 minutes.  Break into small pieces using a butter knife and store in refrigerator.

Notes: This is a very rich recipe, so make sure to break into small pieces.  For a great cookie sheet that you can use for all your holiday baking try Faberware.