Peanut Butter Balls

• Cornstarch
• 6 cups sugar
• 1-1/4 cups water
• 6 drops red food coloring
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups creamy peanut butter
• 7-1/2 cups (2 pounds) confectioners' sugar
• 1-1/2 pounds dark chocolate candy coating, coarsely chopped

1. Directions for Candy Dish:
2. Dust a 9-inch heart-shaped pan with cornstarch and set aside. In a bowl, combine sugar, water and food coloring; mix with hands until the consistency of wet sand (see photo 1). Firmly pack into prepared pan (see photo 2).
3. Smooth the top surface and immediately invert onto an ungreased heavy-duty
4. . Tap top of pan to loosen; remove pan (see photo 3) and let dry for 4 hours.
5. When mixture is dry, carefully invert the heart. Using a spoon, gently scoop out soft sugar, leaving a 1/2-in.-thick shell (see photo 4). Smooth inside edge with fingertips. Dry candy dish at room temperature for 24 hours or in a 200u0b0 oven for 20 minutes. Cool completely on the
6. .
7. Transfer to a 12-in. serving platter or covered board. If desired, place silver ribbon on board around dish (see photo at far left). Fill dish with Peanut Butter Balls (recipe below) in foil cups if desired.
8. Peanut Butter Balls:
9. In a bowl, cream the butter and peanut butter. Gradually add sugar; mix well. Shape level tablespoonfuls into balls; set aside. In a saucepan over low heat, melt candy coating. Dip peanut butter balls in chocolate; place on waxed paper to harden.

cornstarch, sugar, water, coloring, butter, peanut butter, sugar, coating

Taken from www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/peanut-butter-balls/ (may not work)