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
- Crushed 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.
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
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
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
Sherry says
Yum! We make peanut butter balls every year for CHRISTmas. They get gobbled up quick,too. 😀
THanks for sharing!
Sherry's last blog post..Greek Chicken Salad
Brenda says
These are really good and I often put them in the freezer, it really helps.
Brenda's last blog post..Chicken Cabbage Salad for TMTT
Carol says
Mmmm.... I need these. Now!
Carol says
Mmmm.... I need these. Now!
Carol says
Mmmm.... I need these. Now!
sarah says
Um, my butt just got bigger reading that 🙂
sarah says
Um, my butt just got bigger reading that 🙂
sarah says
Um, my butt just got bigger reading that 🙂
michelle@babiesonline says
I love peanut butter eggs! We used to make this recipe all the time...and then we discovered that my 4th child has a nut allergy. No more peanut butter.
So, I have to get my peanut butter chocolate fix by purchasing a candy bar at the store and eating it before I get home.
When there's a will, there's a way.
michelle@babiesonline's last blog post..Breakfast, Naptime, Playtime, Bath: A Poem
SweetsLady says
Yum! We make peanut butter balls every year for CHRISTmas. They get gobbled up quick,too. 😀
THanks for sharing!
Sherry's last blog post..Greek Chicken Salad
SweetsLady says
Yum! We make peanut butter balls every year for CHRISTmas. They get gobbled up quick,too. 😀
THanks for sharing!
Sherry's last blog post..Greek Chicken Salad
Kaycee says
They always make it sound so easy. I think I might have to try these.
Kaycee's last blog post..Gratuitous Cuteness
Brenda says
These are really good and I often put them in the freezer, it really helps.
Brenda's last blog post..Chicken Cabbage Salad for TMTT
Brenda says
These are really good and I often put them in the freezer, it really helps.
Brenda's last blog post..Chicken Cabbage Salad for TMTT
michelle@babiesonline says
I love peanut butter eggs! We used to make this recipe all the time...and then we discovered that my 4th child has a nut allergy. No more peanut butter.
So, I have to get my peanut butter chocolate fix by purchasing a candy bar at the store and eating it before I get home.
When there's a will, there's a way.
michelle@babiesonline's last blog post..Breakfast, Naptime, Playtime, Bath: A Poem
michelle@babiesonline says
I love peanut butter eggs! We used to make this recipe all the time...and then we discovered that my 4th child has a nut allergy. No more peanut butter.
So, I have to get my peanut butter chocolate fix by purchasing a candy bar at the store and eating it before I get home.
When there's a will, there's a way.
michelle@babiesonline's last blog post..Breakfast, Naptime, Playtime, Bath: A Poem
Kaycee says
They always make it sound so easy. I think I might have to try these.
Kaycee's last blog post..Gratuitous Cuteness
Kaycee says
They always make it sound so easy. I think I might have to try these.
Kaycee's last blog post..Gratuitous Cuteness
Nellie Butler says
I'm all for chocolate covered just about anything. Mostly I make chocolate chip cookies though. I just can't leave them alone! I'll have to give this a shot:)
Nellie Butler's last blog post..$50 Walmart Giveaway
Nellie Butler says
I'm all for chocolate covered just about anything. Mostly I make chocolate chip cookies though. I just can't leave them alone! I'll have to give this a shot:)
Nellie Butler's last blog post..$50 Walmart Giveaway
Nellie Butler says
I'm all for chocolate covered just about anything. Mostly I make chocolate chip cookies though. I just can't leave them alone! I'll have to give this a shot:)
Nellie Butler's last blog post..$50 Walmart Giveaway
Farrah from Wife and Mom of 3 says
MMM!
Farrah from Wife and Mom of 3 says
MMM!
Farrah from Wife and Mom of 3 says
MMM!
Deborah says
One word for you, my dear . . . YUM!
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Ali says
Oh. my. word. These sound FABULOUS! I am so going to make some of these and not share them with anyone! Reese's are my favorite, anything peanut butter and chocolate, so these will become a fav too I assume, thanks for sharing!
Ali's last blog post..Fresh Sqeezed OJ
Ali says
Oh. my. word. These sound FABULOUS! I am so going to make some of these and not share them with anyone! Reese's are my favorite, anything peanut butter and chocolate, so these will become a fav too I assume, thanks for sharing!
Ali's last blog post..Fresh Sqeezed OJ