A new bill proposal from an Ohio senator seeks to make the Buckeye the state of Ohio’s official treat.  

   Not the Buckeyes from the trees, but the chocolate covered peanut butter confection that people can find at any local grocery store in Ohio.

   Senate Bill 247 passed through the Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee on Nov. 5, and would formally recognize the chocolate-covered peanut butter confection as part of the state’s identity, alongside the cardinal, the scarlet carnation, and the buckeye tree.

   Buckeyes are no-bake peanut butter balls which are dipped in chocolate and leaves some of the peanut butter part exposed at the top so that it resembles the nut that falls from the Buckeye tree. As the actual nut is very toxic for people to eat, these confections that are not too sweet and very creamy are a classic Ohio treat. 

   These chocolate candies are especially popular throughout the football holiday seasons, as they are a classic treat commonly served alongside Ohio State watch parties. 

   Many people who visit Ohio usually stop by Anthony-Thomas Candy Shoppe, which has many locations spread across Ohio, including Dublin, Gahanna, Powell, Westerville, Hillard, and Columbus and many others. The family owned business that has been around for decades has grown to over 13 retail stores and over 200 employees. 

   The candy shop has various candies and chocolates but are most known for their homemade and passed down recipe for their Buckeyes. Many people visit Ohio just to take a box of Buckeyes home with them. 

   Columbus lawmakers have hopes to get the bill passed before Buckeye football season is over in hopes that as a state can celebrate the chocolate candy that makes people come back to visit Ohio.