Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

by Tara Ziegmont

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chocolate peanut butter balls

Before Christmas, I found this chocolate peanut butter balls recipe pictured in my Family Fun magazine. Anna Hammari sent it in, and I think she won some kind of prize for it. I have never been able to make chocolate covered peanut butter anything come out quite right, so I tried this recipe with skepticism.

I didn’t mess them up. Anna’s chocolate peanut butter balls are creamy, diet-grieving, bites of heaven. You can’t eat just one.

Especially in the season of chocolate peanut butter eggs, I long for some chocolate peanut butter goodness.

Actually, I think I have a Reece’s egg hidden in the entertainment center right now. I digress.

As usual, I rewrote this recipe to make it easier to follow.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
 

Ingredients
  • 2 cups peanut butter
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 5 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 (12 oz) packages of chocolate chips – you can use all one kind or 2 different kinds
  • 4 to 5 tablespoons of vegetable shortening
  • Chocolate or peanut butter chips or crushed peanuts for decorating

Instructions
  1. In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter and butter and stir with a wooden spoon until evenly blended. Add the powdered sugar and stir until the mixture has the consistency of sticky play dough.
  2. Use a double boiler to melt the chocolate chips with the shortening, stirring frequently. If you’re using different types of chocolate, melt them in separate batches. White chocolate doesn’t contain cocoa butter, so it requires extra shortening. The Family Fun people used 2 tablespoons for semisweet chips, and 3 tablespoons for white chocolate. (Alternately – you can melt chocolate chips in the microwave if you zap them for 15-20 seconds at a time and stir thoroughly after each time. It’s riskier than a double boiler, but it’s easier, too.)
  3. While the chocolate melts, roll the peanut butter mixture into 1-inch balls and set them on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. (Reader tip: If the dough is too sticky, add more confectioners’ sugar and/or wet your hands with warm water to prevent sticking.)
  4. Brilliant – Put the baking sheet in the freezer until the peanut butter balls are solid enough to pick up with a toothpick, about 5 to 10 minutes. Why have I never thought of this?
  5. Insert a toothpick into each peanut butter ball, then dip it into the melted chocolate. Set the chocolate-coated balls on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper. Remove the toothpicks. Immediately place a chocolate or peanut butter chip or a piece of a peanut over each toothpick hole. Cool the peanut butter balls in the refrigerator until the chocolate has hardened, about 5 minutes.

Notes
Makes 100 (1-inch) peanut butter balls.

 

Reader Tip: Use leftover melted chocolate to coat pretzels, or pour it into candy molds and add chopped nuts or dried fruit.

 

photo source

 

© 2009 – 2013, Tara Ziegmont. All rights reserved.

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{ 81 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Gretchen March 10, 2009 at 2:19 am

I add a cup of crushed graham crackers to the peanut butter mixture. Yummy!

Reply

2 Tara March 10, 2009 at 2:28 am

Gretchen – I like that idea! It would give the center just a wee bit of crunch, but not so much as crunchy peanut butter. I may have to try that. :)

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3 Tara March 10, 2009 at 2:28 am

Gretchen – I like that idea! It would give the center just a wee bit of crunch, but not so much as crunchy peanut butter. I may have to try that. :)

[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ’0 which is not a hashcash value.

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4 Gretchen March 10, 2009 at 2:19 am

I add a cup of crushed graham crackers to the peanut butter mixture. Yummy!

Reply

5 Gretchen March 9, 2009 at 9:19 pm

I add a cup of crushed graham crackers to the peanut butter mixture. Yummy!

Reply

6 Tara March 9, 2009 at 9:28 pm

Gretchen – I like that idea! It would give the center just a wee bit of crunch, but not so much as crunchy peanut butter. I may have to try that. :)

[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ’0 which is not a hashcash value.

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7 Jenna March 10, 2009 at 2:26 am

Wow, these look so delicious! Peanut butter and chocolate = my favorite

:) Jenna

Jenna’s last blog post..~Blog Giveaway: Spring Handmade Greeting Cards~

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8 Jenna March 10, 2009 at 2:26 am

Wow, these look so delicious! Peanut butter and chocolate = my favorite

:) Jenna

Jenna’s last blog post..~Blog Giveaway: Spring Handmade Greeting Cards~

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9 Piera-Jolly Mom March 10, 2009 at 2:26 am

These sound sinfully good! I make peanut butter balls 1-2 times a year, but this recipe is a little different-I will try yours next time : )

Piera-Jolly Mom’s last blog post..Make Something Monday: The Craft Room

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10 Piera-Jolly Mom March 10, 2009 at 2:26 am

These sound sinfully good! I make peanut butter balls 1-2 times a year, but this recipe is a little different-I will try yours next time : )

Piera-Jolly Mom’s last blog post..Make Something Monday: The Craft Room

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11 Jenna March 9, 2009 at 9:26 pm

Wow, these look so delicious! Peanut butter and chocolate = my favorite

:) Jenna

Jenna’s last blog post..~Blog Giveaway: Spring Handmade Greeting Cards~

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12 Piera-Jolly Mom March 9, 2009 at 9:26 pm

These sound sinfully good! I make peanut butter balls 1-2 times a year, but this recipe is a little different-I will try yours next time : )

Piera-Jolly Mom’s last blog post..Make Something Monday: The Craft Room

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13 No Reimer Reason March 10, 2009 at 2:27 am

These sound absolutely delicious. I am bookmarking this in case I ever get ambitious. :)

No Reimer Reason’s last blog post..Not Quite Spring Kit and a FREE Add-on

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14 No Reimer Reason March 10, 2009 at 2:27 am

These sound absolutely delicious. I am bookmarking this in case I ever get ambitious. :)

No Reimer Reason’s last blog post..Not Quite Spring Kit and a FREE Add-on

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15 No Reimer Reason March 9, 2009 at 9:27 pm

These sound absolutely delicious. I am bookmarking this in case I ever get ambitious. :)

No Reimer Reason’s last blog post..Not Quite Spring Kit and a FREE Add-on

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16 Piera-Jolly Mom March 10, 2009 at 2:29 am

BTW-I grabbed your button! Your site is awesome! : )

Piera-Jolly Mom’s last blog post..Make Something Monday: The Craft Room

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17 Piera-Jolly Mom March 10, 2009 at 2:29 am

BTW-I grabbed your button! Your site is awesome! : )

Piera-Jolly Mom’s last blog post..Make Something Monday: The Craft Room

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18 Lisa@Blessedwithgrace March 10, 2009 at 2:29 am

I knew you were my friend, for a reason!! YOU RAWK with this recipe. I am SO excited!

Lisa@Blessedwithgrace’s last blog post..Tempt My Tummy Tuesday….tricks, tips, and finds

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19 Lisa@Blessedwithgrace March 10, 2009 at 2:29 am

I knew you were my friend, for a reason!! YOU RAWK with this recipe. I am SO excited!

Lisa@Blessedwithgrace’s last blog post..Tempt My Tummy Tuesday….tricks, tips, and finds

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20 Piera-Jolly Mom March 9, 2009 at 9:29 pm

BTW-I grabbed your button! Your site is awesome! : )

Piera-Jolly Mom’s last blog post..Make Something Monday: The Craft Room

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21 Lisa@Blessedwithgrace March 9, 2009 at 9:29 pm

I knew you were my friend, for a reason!! YOU RAWK with this recipe. I am SO excited!

Lisa@Blessedwithgrace’s last blog post..Tempt My Tummy Tuesday….tricks, tips, and finds

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22 lana March 10, 2009 at 2:47 am

peanut butter AND chocolate? THE BEST!

lana’s last blog post..Sleezy Chicken

Reply

23 lana March 10, 2009 at 2:47 am

peanut butter AND chocolate? THE BEST!

lana’s last blog post..Sleezy Chicken

Reply

24 lana March 9, 2009 at 9:47 pm

peanut butter AND chocolate? THE BEST!

lana’s last blog post..Sleezy Chicken

Reply

25 Diana March 10, 2009 at 3:00 am

In Ohio they’re called buckeyes because they look like buckeyes that fall from the buckeye tree.

Reply

26 Diana March 10, 2009 at 3:00 am

In Ohio they’re called buckeyes because they look like buckeyes that fall from the buckeye tree.

Reply

27 Diana March 9, 2009 at 10:00 pm

In Ohio they’re called buckeyes because they look like buckeyes that fall from the buckeye tree.

Reply

28 Jerri March 10, 2009 at 3:13 am

I posted my recipe for these back around Christmas. They are my favorite homemade candy of all time! The main difference is our recipes, is that I use parafin wax instead of shortening with the chocolate chips.

I also use the toothpicks and the freezer (or fridge) strategy. I used to make these with my dad when I was a kid, and he’s get very “upset” when the balls would fall in the chocolate, and this technique was a HUGE hit. And then at the end we’d spoon our leftover melted chocolate over the holes.

Jerri’s last blog post..Recipe of the Week: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Reply

29 Jerri March 10, 2009 at 3:13 am

I posted my recipe for these back around Christmas. They are my favorite homemade candy of all time! The main difference is our recipes, is that I use parafin wax instead of shortening with the chocolate chips.

I also use the toothpicks and the freezer (or fridge) strategy. I used to make these with my dad when I was a kid, and he’s get very “upset” when the balls would fall in the chocolate, and this technique was a HUGE hit. And then at the end we’d spoon our leftover melted chocolate over the holes.

Jerri’s last blog post..Recipe of the Week: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Reply

30 Jerri March 9, 2009 at 10:13 pm

I posted my recipe for these back around Christmas. They are my favorite homemade candy of all time! The main difference is our recipes, is that I use parafin wax instead of shortening with the chocolate chips.

I also use the toothpicks and the freezer (or fridge) strategy. I used to make these with my dad when I was a kid, and he’s get very “upset” when the balls would fall in the chocolate, and this technique was a HUGE hit. And then at the end we’d spoon our leftover melted chocolate over the holes.

Jerri’s last blog post..Recipe of the Week: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Reply

31 Felicia March 10, 2009 at 3:55 am

Save some for me!

Reply

32 Felicia March 10, 2009 at 3:55 am

Save some for me!

Reply

33 Felicia March 9, 2009 at 10:55 pm

Save some for me!

Reply

34 Angela March 10, 2009 at 6:04 am

A friend of mine made some of those for Christmas. Amazing! Thanks for sharing the recipe with us. :)

Angela’s last blog post..Tackling Leftovers

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35 Angela March 10, 2009 at 6:04 am

A friend of mine made some of those for Christmas. Amazing! Thanks for sharing the recipe with us. :)

Angela’s last blog post..Tackling Leftovers

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36 Angela March 10, 2009 at 1:04 am

A friend of mine made some of those for Christmas. Amazing! Thanks for sharing the recipe with us. :)

Angela’s last blog post..Tackling Leftovers

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37 Sherry March 10, 2009 at 6:48 am

Yum! We make peanut butter balls every year for CHRISTmas. They get gobbled up quick,too. :D

THanks for sharing!

Sherry’s last blog post..Greek Chicken Salad

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38 Brenda March 10, 2009 at 7:32 am

These are really good and I often put them in the freezer, it really helps.

Brenda’s last blog post..Chicken Cabbage Salad for TMTT

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39 Carol March 10, 2009 at 1:46 pm

Mmmm…. I need these. Now!

Reply

40 Carol March 10, 2009 at 1:46 pm

Mmmm…. I need these. Now!

Reply

41 Carol March 10, 2009 at 8:46 am

Mmmm…. I need these. Now!

Reply

42 sarah March 10, 2009 at 3:16 pm

Um, my butt just got bigger reading that :)

Reply

43 sarah March 10, 2009 at 3:16 pm

Um, my butt just got bigger reading that :)

Reply

44 sarah March 10, 2009 at 10:16 am

Um, my butt just got bigger reading that :)

Reply

45 SweetsLady March 10, 2009 at 11:48 am

Yum! We make peanut butter balls every year for CHRISTmas. They get gobbled up quick,too. :D

THanks for sharing!

Sherry’s last blog post..Greek Chicken Salad

Reply

46 SweetsLady March 10, 2009 at 11:48 am

Yum! We make peanut butter balls every year for CHRISTmas. They get gobbled up quick,too. :D

THanks for sharing!

Sherry’s last blog post..Greek Chicken Salad

Reply

47 michelle@babiesonline March 10, 2009 at 4:21 pm

I love peanut butter eggs! We used to make this recipe all the time…and then we discovered that my 4th child has a nut allergy. No more peanut butter.

So, I have to get my peanut butter chocolate fix by purchasing a candy bar at the store and eating it before I get home.

When there’s a will, there’s a way.

michelle@babiesonline’s last blog post..Breakfast, Naptime, Playtime, Bath: A Poem

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48 michelle@babiesonline March 10, 2009 at 4:21 pm

I love peanut butter eggs! We used to make this recipe all the time…and then we discovered that my 4th child has a nut allergy. No more peanut butter.

So, I have to get my peanut butter chocolate fix by purchasing a candy bar at the store and eating it before I get home.

When there’s a will, there’s a way.

michelle@babiesonline’s last blog post..Breakfast, Naptime, Playtime, Bath: A Poem

Reply

49 michelle@babiesonline March 10, 2009 at 11:21 am

I love peanut butter eggs! We used to make this recipe all the time…and then we discovered that my 4th child has a nut allergy. No more peanut butter.

So, I have to get my peanut butter chocolate fix by purchasing a candy bar at the store and eating it before I get home.

When there’s a will, there’s a way.

michelle@babiesonline’s last blog post..Breakfast, Naptime, Playtime, Bath: A Poem

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50 Kaycee March 10, 2009 at 4:25 pm

They always make it sound so easy. I think I might have to try these.

Kaycee’s last blog post..Gratuitous Cuteness

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51 Kaycee March 10, 2009 at 4:25 pm

They always make it sound so easy. I think I might have to try these.

Kaycee’s last blog post..Gratuitous Cuteness

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52 Kaycee March 10, 2009 at 11:25 am

They always make it sound so easy. I think I might have to try these.

Kaycee’s last blog post..Gratuitous Cuteness

Reply

53 Brenda March 10, 2009 at 12:32 pm

These are really good and I often put them in the freezer, it really helps.

Brenda’s last blog post..Chicken Cabbage Salad for TMTT

Reply

54 Brenda March 10, 2009 at 12:32 pm

These are really good and I often put them in the freezer, it really helps.

Brenda’s last blog post..Chicken Cabbage Salad for TMTT

Reply

55 Nellie Butler March 10, 2009 at 11:04 pm

I’m all for chocolate covered just about anything. Mostly I make chocolate chip cookies though. I just can’t leave them alone! I’ll have to give this a shot:)

Nellie Butler’s last blog post..$50 Walmart Giveaway

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56 Nellie Butler March 10, 2009 at 11:04 pm

I’m all for chocolate covered just about anything. Mostly I make chocolate chip cookies though. I just can’t leave them alone! I’ll have to give this a shot:)

Nellie Butler’s last blog post..$50 Walmart Giveaway

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57 Nellie Butler March 10, 2009 at 6:04 pm

I’m all for chocolate covered just about anything. Mostly I make chocolate chip cookies though. I just can’t leave them alone! I’ll have to give this a shot:)

Nellie Butler’s last blog post..$50 Walmart Giveaway

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58 Farrah from Wife and Mom of 3 March 10, 2009 at 7:56 pm

MMM!

Reply

59 Farrah from Wife and Mom of 3 March 11, 2009 at 12:56 am

MMM!

Reply

60 Farrah from Wife and Mom of 3 March 11, 2009 at 12:56 am

MMM!

Reply

61 Deborah March 11, 2009 at 5:53 am

One word for you, my dear . . . YUM!

Deborah’s last blog post..Meet Ida H. Omemaker

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62 Ali March 11, 2009 at 1:15 pm

Oh. my. word. These sound FABULOUS! I am so going to make some of these and not share them with anyone! Reese’s are my favorite, anything peanut butter and chocolate, so these will become a fav too I assume, thanks for sharing!

Ali’s last blog post..Fresh Sqeezed OJ

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63 Ali March 11, 2009 at 1:15 pm

Oh. my. word. These sound FABULOUS! I am so going to make some of these and not share them with anyone! Reese’s are my favorite, anything peanut butter and chocolate, so these will become a fav too I assume, thanks for sharing!

Ali’s last blog post..Fresh Sqeezed OJ

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64 Ali March 11, 2009 at 8:15 am

Oh. my. word. These sound FABULOUS! I am so going to make some of these and not share them with anyone! Reese’s are my favorite, anything peanut butter and chocolate, so these will become a fav too I assume, thanks for sharing!

Ali’s last blog post..Fresh Sqeezed OJ

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65 Ali March 11, 2009 at 1:18 pm

PS – you would think I would have made something like this before – IE Buckeyes since I live in Ohio lol, but just never have! Thanks for the inspiration!

Ali’s last blog post..Fresh Sqeezed OJ

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66 Ali March 11, 2009 at 1:18 pm

PS – you would think I would have made something like this before – IE Buckeyes since I live in Ohio lol, but just never have! Thanks for the inspiration!

Ali’s last blog post..Fresh Sqeezed OJ

Reply

67 Ali March 11, 2009 at 8:18 am

PS – you would think I would have made something like this before – IE Buckeyes since I live in Ohio lol, but just never have! Thanks for the inspiration!

Ali’s last blog post..Fresh Sqeezed OJ

Reply

68 Robyns Online World March 11, 2009 at 9:47 am

T and Hubby would go nuts for these! They love peanut butter. Not sure if you watch South Park – but the name reminds me of something Chef made on the show LOL!

Robyns Online World’s last blog post..Comment & Win #6 – $100 Amazon Gift Card

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69 Deborah March 11, 2009 at 10:53 am

One word for you, my dear . . . YUM!

Deborah’s last blog post..Meet Ida H. Omemaker

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70 Deborah March 11, 2009 at 10:53 am

One word for you, my dear . . . YUM!

Deborah’s last blog post..Meet Ida H. Omemaker

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71 Robyn's Online World March 11, 2009 at 2:47 pm

T and Hubby would go nuts for these! They love peanut butter. Not sure if you watch South Park – but the name reminds me of something Chef made on the show LOL!

Robyns Online World’s last blog post..Comment & Win #6 – $100 Amazon Gift Card

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72 Robyn's Online World March 11, 2009 at 2:47 pm

T and Hubby would go nuts for these! They love peanut butter. Not sure if you watch South Park – but the name reminds me of something Chef made on the show LOL!

Robyns Online World’s last blog post..Comment & Win #6 – $100 Amazon Gift Card

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73 Blossoming Skillet March 16, 2009 at 2:10 pm

These sound perfect for a treat for friends for Easter!

Blossoming Skillet’s last blog post..The long journey ends…….

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74 Blossoming Skillet March 16, 2009 at 2:10 pm

These sound perfect for a treat for friends for Easter!

Blossoming Skillet’s last blog post..The long journey ends…….

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75 Blossoming Skillet March 16, 2009 at 9:10 am

These sound perfect for a treat for friends for Easter!

Blossoming Skillet’s last blog post..The long journey ends…….

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76 Amy @ Finer Things March 16, 2009 at 7:37 pm

These are one of my favorite Christmas treats. Like you, I didn’t think of the toothpick trick! Next time. ;-)

Amy @ Finer Things’s last blog post..Menu Plan, Week of March 16

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77 Amy @ Finer Things March 16, 2009 at 7:37 pm

These are one of my favorite Christmas treats. Like you, I didn’t think of the toothpick trick! Next time. ;-)

Amy @ Finer Things’s last blog post..Menu Plan, Week of March 16

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78 Amy @ Finer Things March 16, 2009 at 2:37 pm

These are one of my favorite Christmas treats. Like you, I didn’t think of the toothpick trick! Next time. ;-)

Amy @ Finer Things’s last blog post..Menu Plan, Week of March 16

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79 a March 17, 2009 at 9:44 pm

Sounds exactly like my recipe. It goes over well at our house. Abi

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80 a March 18, 2009 at 2:44 am

Sounds exactly like my recipe. It goes over well at our house. Abi

[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ’0 which is not a hashcash value.

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81 a March 18, 2009 at 2:44 am

Sounds exactly like my recipe. It goes over well at our house. Abi

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