How to make the best peanut butter balls - This simple and easy recipe makes classic, chocolate covered peanut butter truffles that are rich, buttery, creamy, and old-fashioned the way Grandma used to make. Totally no bake, making it a sweet homemade candy that is made quickly.
Before Christmas, I found this chocolate peanut butter balls recipe in my Family Fun magazine. I have never been able to make chocolate covered peanut butter anything come out quite right, so I tried the recipe with skepticism.
I didn't mess them up, and they were gone in about a day. These chocolate peanut butter balls are creamy, diet-grieving, bites of heaven. You can't eat just one.
Especially now, in the season of chocolate peanut butter Easter eggs, I am longing for some chocolate peanut butter goodness. Actually, now that I write that, I think I stashed a Reese's egg in the back of the entertainment center.
But I am going to make these again too, because they're even better than the Reese's. No kidding.
How to make chocolate peanut butter balls
- In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter and softened butter with a wooden spoon until well blended. Add the powdered sugar and stir until the mixture has the consistency of sticky play dough.
- Use a double boiler to melt the chocolate chips with the shortening, stirring frequently. If you're using two different types of chocolate (such as milk and dark or milk and white), melt them in separate batches. White chocolate doesn't contain cocoa butter, so it will require extra shortening. You will need 2 tablespoons of shortening for semi-sweet chocolate chips and 3 tablespoons for white chocolate.
- While the chocolate melts, roll the peanut butter mixture into 1-inch balls and set them on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. (Reader tip: If the dough is too sticky, add more confectioners' sugar and/or wet your hands with warm water to prevent sticking.)
- Brilliant - Put the baking sheet in the freezer until the peanut butter balls are solid enough to pick up with a toothpick, about 5 to 10 minutes. Why have I never thought of this?
- Insert a toothpick into each peanut butter ball, then dip it into the melted chocolate. Set the chocolate-coated balls on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper. Remove the toothpicks. Immediately place a chocolate or peanut butter chip or a piece of a peanut over each toothpick hole. Cool the peanut butter balls in the refrigerator until the chocolate has hardened, about 5 minutes.
Reader Tip: Use leftover melted chocolate to coat pretzels, or pour it into candy molds and add chopped nuts or dried fruit.
Ingredient substitutions
Chocolate chips - I like to use semi sweet chocolate chips, but you could also try milk chocolate or white chocolate for a different flavor. Or, try a combination of several. I don't mean mix them together, but rather try making one batch of peanut butter balls and splitting it into several different coatings.
Peanut butter - I like to use smooth peanut butter, but you could try crunchy for a different take on this fun recipe!
Toppings - The recipe calls for crushed peanuts to sprinkle on top of the finished peanut butter balls, but you could also use sprinkles or even specialty sugar glittery for a different look. Just think how impressive that star shaped glitter would look!
You can freeze this candy!
This recipe makes a lot of balls, so you may want to think about freezing some. You can freeze these for up to 3 months. Just make sure to store them in an airtight, freezer-safe container. I would suggest putting them in the freezer on the parchment paper on a cookie sheet until they're totally frozen. Once they're set, you can remove and place into a container or baggie. I usually double layer my baggies to make sure they stay as fresh as possible in the freezer. Once you're ready to eat more, just remove and allow to thaw in the fridge or on the counter until you're ready to eat.
You'll want to check out these other delicious desserts while you're here
- Peanut Butter Cheesecake Brownies (AKA PB Cream Cheese Brownie Bars)
- Peanut Butter Marshmallow Fudge
- Double Chocolate Pecan Cookies
- Coconut Macaroons - Quick & Easy Gluten-Free Cookies
- The Very Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Pecan Pie Squares - Pecan Pie Bar Cookies
Recipe
Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups peanut butter creamy
- 1 cup butter softened, not melted
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 24 ounces chocolate chips Semi sweet
- 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening
- peanuts for decorating
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter and butter and stir with a wooden spoon until evenly blended. Add the powdered sugar and stir until the mixture has the consistency of sticky play dough.
- Use a double boiler to melt the chocolate chips with the shortening, stirring frequently. If you're using different types of chocolate, melt them in separate batches. White chocolate doesn't contain cocoa butter, so it requires extra shortening. I suggest 2 tablespoons for semisweet chips, and 3 tablespoons for white chocolate.
- While the chocolate melts, roll the peanut butter mixture into 1-inch balls and set them on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. (Reader tip: If the dough is too sticky, add more confectioners' sugar and/or wet your hands with warm water to prevent sticking.)
- Brilliant - Put the baking sheet in the freezer until the peanut butter balls are solid enough to pick up with a toothpick, about 5 to 10 minutes. Why have I never thought of this?
- Insert a toothpick into each peanut butter ball, then dip it into the melted chocolate. Set the chocolate-coated balls on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper. Remove the toothpicks. Immediately place a chocolate or peanut butter chip or a piece of a peanut over each toothpick hole. Cool the peanut butter balls in the refrigerator until the chocolate has hardened, about 5 minutes.
Lisa@Blessedwithgrace says
I knew you were my friend, for a reason!! YOU RAWK with this recipe. I am SO excited!
Lisa@Blessedwithgrace's last blog post..Tempt My Tummy Tuesday....tricks, tips, and finds
Jerri says
I posted my recipe for these back around Christmas. They are my favorite homemade candy of all time! The main difference is our recipes, is that I use parafin wax instead of shortening with the chocolate chips.
I also use the toothpicks and the freezer (or fridge) strategy. I used to make these with my dad when I was a kid, and he's get very "upset" when the balls would fall in the chocolate, and this technique was a HUGE hit. And then at the end we'd spoon our leftover melted chocolate over the holes.
Jerri's last blog post..Recipe of the Week: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Gretchen says
I add a cup of crushed graham crackers to the peanut butter mixture. Yummy!
Tara says
Gretchen - I like that idea! It would give the center just a wee bit of crunch, but not so much as crunchy peanut butter. I may have to try that. 🙂
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Tara says
Gretchen - I like that idea! It would give the center just a wee bit of crunch, but not so much as crunchy peanut butter. I may have to try that. 🙂
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Gretchen says
I add a cup of crushed graham crackers to the peanut butter mixture. Yummy!
Gretchen says
I add a cup of crushed graham crackers to the peanut butter mixture. Yummy!
Tara says
Gretchen - I like that idea! It would give the center just a wee bit of crunch, but not so much as crunchy peanut butter. I may have to try that. 🙂
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us '0 which is not a hashcash value.
Jenna says
Wow, these look so delicious! Peanut butter and chocolate = my favorite
🙂 Jenna
Jenna's last blog post..~Blog Giveaway: Spring Handmade Greeting Cards~
Jenna says
Wow, these look so delicious! Peanut butter and chocolate = my favorite
🙂 Jenna
Jenna's last blog post..~Blog Giveaway: Spring Handmade Greeting Cards~
Piera-Jolly Mom says
These sound sinfully good! I make peanut butter balls 1-2 times a year, but this recipe is a little different-I will try yours next time : )
Piera-Jolly Mom's last blog post..Make Something Monday: The Craft Room
Piera-Jolly Mom says
These sound sinfully good! I make peanut butter balls 1-2 times a year, but this recipe is a little different-I will try yours next time : )
Piera-Jolly Mom's last blog post..Make Something Monday: The Craft Room
Jenna says
Wow, these look so delicious! Peanut butter and chocolate = my favorite
🙂 Jenna
Jenna's last blog post..~Blog Giveaway: Spring Handmade Greeting Cards~
Piera-Jolly Mom says
These sound sinfully good! I make peanut butter balls 1-2 times a year, but this recipe is a little different-I will try yours next time : )
Piera-Jolly Mom's last blog post..Make Something Monday: The Craft Room
No Reimer Reason says
These sound absolutely delicious. I am bookmarking this in case I ever get ambitious. 🙂
No Reimer Reason's last blog post..Not Quite Spring Kit and a FREE Add-on
No Reimer Reason says
These sound absolutely delicious. I am bookmarking this in case I ever get ambitious. 🙂
No Reimer Reason's last blog post..Not Quite Spring Kit and a FREE Add-on
No Reimer Reason says
These sound absolutely delicious. I am bookmarking this in case I ever get ambitious. 🙂
No Reimer Reason's last blog post..Not Quite Spring Kit and a FREE Add-on
Piera-Jolly Mom says
BTW-I grabbed your button! Your site is awesome! : )
Piera-Jolly Mom's last blog post..Make Something Monday: The Craft Room
Piera-Jolly Mom says
BTW-I grabbed your button! Your site is awesome! : )
Piera-Jolly Mom's last blog post..Make Something Monday: The Craft Room
Piera-Jolly Mom says
BTW-I grabbed your button! Your site is awesome! : )
Piera-Jolly Mom's last blog post..Make Something Monday: The Craft Room
lana says
peanut butter AND chocolate? THE BEST!
lana's last blog post..Sleezy Chicken
lana says
peanut butter AND chocolate? THE BEST!
lana's last blog post..Sleezy Chicken
lana says
peanut butter AND chocolate? THE BEST!
lana's last blog post..Sleezy Chicken
Diana says
In Ohio they're called buckeyes because they look like buckeyes that fall from the buckeye tree.
Diana says
In Ohio they're called buckeyes because they look like buckeyes that fall from the buckeye tree.
Diana says
In Ohio they're called buckeyes because they look like buckeyes that fall from the buckeye tree.
Felicia says
Save some for me!
Felicia says
Save some for me!
Felicia says
Save some for me!
Angela says
A friend of mine made some of those for Christmas. Amazing! Thanks for sharing the recipe with us. 🙂
Angela's last blog post..Tackling Leftovers
Lisa@Blessedwithgrace says
I knew you were my friend, for a reason!! YOU RAWK with this recipe. I am SO excited!
Lisa@Blessedwithgrace's last blog post..Tempt My Tummy Tuesday....tricks, tips, and finds
Lisa@Blessedwithgrace says
I knew you were my friend, for a reason!! YOU RAWK with this recipe. I am SO excited!
Lisa@Blessedwithgrace's last blog post..Tempt My Tummy Tuesday....tricks, tips, and finds
Jerri says
I posted my recipe for these back around Christmas. They are my favorite homemade candy of all time! The main difference is our recipes, is that I use parafin wax instead of shortening with the chocolate chips.
I also use the toothpicks and the freezer (or fridge) strategy. I used to make these with my dad when I was a kid, and he's get very "upset" when the balls would fall in the chocolate, and this technique was a HUGE hit. And then at the end we'd spoon our leftover melted chocolate over the holes.
Jerri's last blog post..Recipe of the Week: Chicken Tortilla Soup