• Mix the powdered sugar, peanut butter, melted butter, vanilla, and salt until combined. I use my electric mixer with the paddle attachment, starting on low until crumbles form, then on medium until the mixture becomes more cohesive.
• Scoop the peanut butter mixture into balls. Tease the sides of the balls into points, creating a fat diamond shape like a football. Chill, covered, for about 1 hour, or overnight.
• Melt the chocolate over a double boiler or in the microwave in 30-second increments.

  PRO TIP #1: Do not get any water in your chocolate. Water is chocolate kryptonite and will make the chocolate seize up.

  PRO TIP #2: If using the microwave, melt the chocolate in 30-second increments until it is about halfway melted, then at 10-second increments, stirring, until fully melted. Chocolate can burn, so err on the side of checking and stirring often.
• Holding the buckeyes as close to the bottom as possible to avoid fingerprints, dip the buckeyes upside-down into chocolate, leaving a thin bare strip at the base where you're holding them. Place on a cooling rack and let the chocolate dry. 

For the Royal Icing

• While the chocolate sets up, make the royal icing: Stir together 1 egg white with 1 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar. Add a squirt of lemon juice to thin to proper piping consistency. It should be perfectly smooth and hold a medium peak in the bowl. I like to add the confectioner’s sugar one cup at a time.

  PRO TIP: Use a spatula, not a whisk, when it starts to thicken or it will all get stuck in the whisk.

  PRO TIP #2: Keep your royal icing covered with a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap placed directly over the surface so it does not harden or form a skin.

To Finish

• Using a piping bag fitted with a Wilton #2 round tip (or a very narrow tip, in other words), pipe two lines across the pointed ends of the footballs. Next, pipe a small vertical line in the center. Create laces by piping small lines perpendicular to the vertical line. Let dry.
• Serve chilled or at room temperature. Will keep, covered, for several days.