“Why did we ever leave Ohio?” So go the lyrics from the song in Wonderful Town, a not-so-often performed musical with lyrics by Comden & Green and music by Leonard Bernstein. I remember the song — and it’s especially clever lyrics — from my youth, when I would head down to the basement every Saturday morning to listen to the “Best of Broadway,” a radio program in the 1970s on Philadelphia’s NPR station. Teenage boy. Basement. Broadway musicals. Any questions?
Later, as a student of classical music, I discovered Bernstein’s clever borrowing of musical themes; the opening of the Ohio song is a direct quote from the slow movement of Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major. Another borrowed tune is the opening of the slow movement of Beethoven’s Emperor Piano Concerto which can be heard in “Somewhere” from West Side Story. These are clever homages to some of the world’s greatest tunesmiths. (Don’t get me started on Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5 and “Beach Baby” sung by the pop group First Class, or Eric Carmen’s use of Rachmaninov in “Never Gonna Fall in Love Again.”)
Back to Ohio. The beautiful State of Ohio is famous for many things. For starters, most of Markipedia’s family comes from Ohio. Then, there’s the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, one of the newer state attractions, which brings more than half a million visitors each year to the shores of Lake Erie. Orville Wright, one half of the Wright Brothers, was born in Dayton. He and his brother Orville, born in Indiana, were raised in Ohio giving the state one of its mottos: First in Flight (let’s not mention Kitty Hawk, okay?). Boasting 17 roller coasters, Cedar Point Amusement Park — also on the shores of Lake Erie — has been drawing visitors for over 150 years and is considered one of the best amusement parks in the United States. But, before you go on those 17 roller coasters, don’t eat too much Cincinnati chili, okay? What’s this chili, you ask? It’s a somewhat sweet “chili” made with ground beef, tomatoes, and cinnamon — and it’s served over spaghetti, topped with cheddar cheese and chopped raw onion.
One other food for which Ohio is famous — the Buckeye. No, not the poisonous Ohio buckeye tree (Aesculus glabra) from which the state takes its nickname. No, this one is a peanut-y, sugar-y, chocolate-y ball of heavenly goodness. It is one candy that is super easy to make and loved by most everyone I know who like sweets. That is today’s recipe. There is nothing really pretty about this post — peanut butter isn’t exactly photogenic — but they made a friend happy, and that counts for a lot. After a recent trip to Ohio, I brought my friend a buckeye magnet with the recipe printed on it. He loves geographic souvenir magnets. He immediately gave it back to me and said, “Make these, please.” I did. We were all happy. I hope they will make you happy too.
~ David
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Gerlinde de Broekert
October 15, 2022 at 7:02 amDavid, what an informative post. I love all the references to the classical music. It would make an interesting dinner conversation ( I am so tired of politics ). I have never seen a buckeye candy. My husband loves peanut butter, I don’t.
Cocoa & Lavender
October 17, 2022 at 5:11 amWe love to talk about music over dinner, Gerlinde – and both of us are acutely aware of music in movies, and how it is used (whether borrowed or original). I hope your husband gets a batch of these little Buckeyes!
Jeff the Chef
October 15, 2022 at 7:33 amYes, wouldn’t it have been a surprise if the magnet recipe turned out to be stellar? Having grown up in the Great Lakes region, I have of course been to Cedar Point many, many times. Even in college, we would pack into a car and leave in a wee hours, returning in the dead of night, for a day of roller coasters two states away.
Cocoa & Lavender
October 17, 2022 at 5:13 amWell, honestly there can’t be too much variation in Buckeye recipes, can there? (I’m now imagining someone adding heretofore illegal substances….) Cedar Point — only went once and in college and the memory is still very strong. Glad it has good memories for you, Jeff.
Carolyne
October 15, 2022 at 7:48 amPeanut butter and chocolate…what’s not to love. Although, I had no idea that they were called buckeyes.
Cocoa & Lavender
October 17, 2022 at 5:14 amI wonder if they have another name, Carolyne? This is a beg some additional research.
John / Kitchen Riffs
October 15, 2022 at 8:07 amFun read! And can never resist peanut butter and chocolate — what a fabulous combo. Thanks!
Cocoa & Lavender
October 17, 2022 at 5:14 amIt is a fantastic combination, John, and I literally had to give them all away or I would’ve eaten the entire batch!
Jean | Delightful Repast
October 15, 2022 at 12:10 pmDavid, I’m not a candy eater, but I just might make these for Mr Delightful. I assumed from the first mention of the magnet recipe that it would not be the recipe you actually used! 😁 Loved this post!
Cocoa & Lavender
October 17, 2022 at 5:16 amI’m really glad you enjoyed this post, Jean. Let’s say that I use the magnet as a jumping off place, but there were several things wrong with it so… I fixed it! If you do make these for Mr. Delicious, please let me know if you did any reductions in sugar or change the ingredients. I’d love to know. They are a bit on the sweet side, even for me! (Did that stop me from eating them? No.)
mimi rippee
October 15, 2022 at 3:42 pmMy mother used to make these, which is funny because they’re very not French! I tried once to make them and I couldn’t do the dipping properly. Yours look like perfection! Chocolate and peanut butter really are a wonderful pairing!!
Cocoa & Lavender
October 17, 2022 at 5:18 amI am trying to imagine your French mother making these… «Beurre de cacahuète» barely exists in the French lexicon. To be honest, Mimi, I was afraid of dipping them myself. But they turned out okay.
velva
October 15, 2022 at 3:53 pmDavid, I enjoyed this post. I learned something about you today. You are lover of great music. I did not realize that buckeyes were easy to make-I have had the pleasure of enjoying buckeye’s once or twice in my life. Yours look fantastic.
Velva
Cocoa & Lavender
October 17, 2022 at 5:19 amThey are one of the simplest confections I have ever made, Velva. Yes, my long ago history of being a musician sometimes raises its ugly head! To be honest, I loved being a musician and I still love music very much.
Nancy layton
October 15, 2022 at 6:16 pmThank you David! My mom and I just spent a week visiting family in Ohio. I love Buckeyes! I’ve never made them, but now I have the recipe and I will! One other thing that I have bragging rights about is that Wapakoneta where my mom and her siblings grew up is the hometown of Neil Armstrong. The Armstrongs were family friends and Neil’s mom was my Sunday School teacher.
Love this post for lots of personal reasons and am going to share it with my Ohio relatives, which are most of my relatives.
Cocoa & Lavender
October 17, 2022 at 5:20 amThat is such a cool story, Nancy! I had no idea about the Armstrong family. I think the only reason that the Wright family was in the forefront of my memory was because we had just been in Dayton. I hope you make them and enjoy them, Nancy!
Sherry M
October 15, 2022 at 9:09 pmwell david these must be delightful. peanut butter and chocolate – a total winner!
Cocoa & Lavender
October 17, 2022 at 5:21 amExactly, Sherry! It’s a great combination.
Marcelle
October 16, 2022 at 6:35 amDavid, perfect timing for me to come visit you as I was looking for a sweet treat to make for the fam today!! I’ve heard of Buckeyes before, but I’ve never made them. I’ve got everything on hand to make these this afternoon, I’m so excited to try them! I enjoyed reading your post too 😀🍫
Cocoa & Lavender
October 17, 2022 at 5:21 amI hope they came out well, Marcelle! They are pretty easy, and they are very fast to go!
Ronit
October 16, 2022 at 1:07 pmI admit to not knowing much about Ohio, nor about the tributes in Bernstein’s music, so thanks for the education!
I’ve also never tried Buckeyes, the combination of peanut butter and chocolate, is a favorite , so can’t see how I’m not going to like them.
One thing I’m not sure about is that I’ll be able to make them look as perfect as you did! 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
October 17, 2022 at 5:23 amOnce I started my studies as a classical musician, I became acutely aware when good tunes were “borrowed“ from the masters to be used in public music. It was like a game!
I know you can probably make these and make them look much better than I did, Ronit. You are very kind.
Raymund
October 19, 2022 at 6:46 pmWow looks great, first time I heard of this and I am already loving it. Simple and delish most definitely
Cocoa & Lavender
October 23, 2022 at 8:36 amThey aren’t fancy, Raymund, but they are good!
Fiorenza
October 24, 2022 at 9:10 amYou have made me very curious with these buckeyes, they look delicious and easy to make. Bookmarked.
Cocoa & Lavender
October 26, 2022 at 10:05 amThey are cute (and sweet) little things, aren’t they?
Valentina
October 26, 2022 at 11:24 amI’ve seen these and heard of them, but never made them. For my gluten-free, peanut butter loving son, they’re sure to be a huge it. Making them this afternoon. Will report back. 😀 ~Valentina
Cocoa & Lavender
October 31, 2022 at 2:07 pmWhen I first read your comment, I thought you said your son was also allergic to peanuts. Glad he likes peanut butter! And I hope you like the buckeyes…
Valentina
November 1, 2022 at 9:13 amThese are so good! Right up my alley — sweet and rich. I admit, I ate so much for the peanut butter mixture before they got dipped in chocolate that there were only about 20. Mine were not as neat and pretty as yours, but that definitely didn’t affect their deliciousness. Love how quick there were to make — and they solidify so quickly in the fridge, too. YUM! 🙂 ~Valentina
Cocoa & Lavender
November 1, 2022 at 9:27 amI managed to eat only the tiny bit leftover that was “undippable.” They are so addictive! You know how hard it is to make things pretty, right? These were tough! So I’m honored you thought mine were pretty! Hope your son liked them (and that you saved a few for him! 🤣🤣)
Valentina
November 1, 2022 at 12:35 pmHa! He ate 5 in a row. Loved them. 🙂 (Of course after a healthy lunch!)
Cocoa & Lavender
November 2, 2022 at 7:27 amThat’s what I love to hear! (Especially the healthy lunch! 😉)
2pots2cook
October 27, 2022 at 4:05 amYour lines bring me to another (sweet pop) style song and it goes like this: beg, still or borrow …..
Cocoa & Lavender
October 31, 2022 at 2:08 pmI love that reference, Davorka! 🙂