Homemade peanut butter eggs for Easter

Want something fun to do with your kids this Easter? Why not make your own Easter candy?  It's easy, inexpensive and delicious, and the best part is that you can involve the entire family, regardless of age! 

 To make Peanut Butter Eggs, you'll need 1 cup of softened butter, 2 1/2 cups of peanut butter (smooth or chunky- your preference), 1 1/2 boxes of confectioners sugar (powdered sugar), and 1 1/2 lbs. of coating chocolate (sometimes called dipping chocolate, or bark).  Cream the butter in a bowl.  Add the peanut butter and mix well. Gradually add the powdered sugar- adding more or less to make an easily shaped dough.  Knead the dough for a few minutes until smooth.  At this point, you can either refrigerate the dough, or use it immediately.

Shape the dough into egg shapes, as big or small as you want, and place them on waxed paper. Melt about 1/3 of the chocolate either in a double boiler, or in the microwave. Watch it carefully so it doesn't burn AND do not get any water (not even a drop) near the chocolate, or it will become grainy, and can no longer be used for dipping. Stir the chocolate until smooth.  Using a fork, carefully drop one of the peanut butter eggs into the chocolate, turning it gently until completely coated. Lift the egg from the chocolate, allowing it to drip a bit, and place it on the wax paper.  Repeat with the remainder of the eggs.  Melt more of the coating chocolate as needed.

Allow the chocolate to dry before storing your candy, at room temperature, between sheets of waxed paper.  This recipe will easily make 25 eggs, and you can be done- from start to finish- in about an hour!  Don't be surprised if your family begs you to make a second batch, though!  They are just that good! and it's just that fun!