Peanut Butter Balls

2 cups creamy peanut butter
1 stick ( 1/2 cup ) butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups confectioners sugar ( not sifted )
2 cups chocolate chips ( your choice - milk choc., semi-sweet, or dark )
1 Tbl. shortening

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper; set aside. In a medium bowl, mix peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and confectioners sugar to form a smooth stiff dough. ( you might need to squeeze together with your hands ) Shape into balls ( about the size of a walnut ) and place on prepared pan; refrigerate.
Melt the shortening and chocolate together in the microwave ( about 1 minute), or in the top of a double boiler. Stir until smooth.
Remove the balls from the refrigerator. Insert a wooden toothpick into a ball and dip into the melted chocolate. Let excess drip off and return to the wax paper. Repeat with the remaining balls. Use a teaspoon to add a drop of chocolate to the top of each ball to cover the toothpick holes.

Store the dipped peanut butter balls in the refrigerator.