Eerie Eyeball treats--Happy October!

I've made these several years in a row now, and they are pretty easy to make and fun to take to a fall/Halloween festivity--we wish we could be at your Halloween party this year Kathy!! The picture I posted is a not that great scan from the magazine I got the recipe from. I've made them other times as a yummy treat to give away other times of the year, by just dipping the balls in chocolate, and not making them into eyes.

Eyeballs

Makes 36 Prep 45 min Chill 2 hr

* 1 cup creamy peanut butter
* 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
* 2 to 2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
* 1 bag (12 oz) white chocolate chips
* 2 T solid vegetable shortening---I really detest vegetable shortening, but I do have to say that it helps quite a bit in this recipe, I've tried it without.

*1 tube each red white and green decorators frosting (I just make my own frosting--don't make a lot, you don't need very much.)
* 36 brown M&M's (If you can't find brown M&M's you can use brown Reeses pieces.)

1. Stir the peanut butter and butter in a medium bowl until smooth. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar until thick and smooth and well combined. (The mixture should be thick and easy to roll into balls.)
2. Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Shape mixture into 36 (or more) 1 inch balls. Place balls on prepared baking sheet and refrigerate about 1 hour or until firm. (Can speed this process up by using the freezer.)
3. Meanwhile melt the white chocolate with the vegetable shortening over a double boiler until smooth. Carefully drop chilled peanut butter balls into the chocolate to coat, and scoop them out with a fork, letting excess drip off through the tines (be careful not to stick the balls.) Return balls to wax paper-lined baking sheet; refrigerate until set.
4. Squeeze frostings into separate ziptop bags. Snip a very small corner from each bag. Pipe red frosting lines from center out for the veins. Pipe a dot of green frosting on top. Place the M&M's in the center and pipe a white line on ones side. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Heather's note: I have never piped the red veins on and they still really look like eyes, but if you have the time, go for it!!