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We’ve already established that chocolate + peanut butter is a flavor match made in Heaven – at least it’s my hubby’s favorite flavor pairing!
If you also love this famous combo, look no further than this peanut butter balls recipe! We LOVE this easy candy (and make it every Christmas)! They only require about 10 minutes of hands-on work and are perfect for longer-term storage. Win-win!
At first glance, these bite-sized treats look just like our Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies but are actually a chocolate-covered version of our yummy Peanut Butter Snowballs.
If you love Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, you’ll love these treats too!
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Quick. The prep is quick (about 10 minutes), they just need to chill!
- Simple. There are ONLY 4 ingredients in this easy dessert, and they’re easy to make.
- Perfect for gifting. They are great for gifting and for adding to cookie plates for the holidays.
Peanut Butter Balls Ingredients and Substitutions
- ½ cup peanut butter – Use regular creamy or crunchy peanut butter like Skippy or Jif. Natural peanut butter has a different consistency and does not work as well.
- 3 tablespoons butter – We use unsalted but salted butter works as well.
- 1 cup powdered sugar – sifted
- 1 pound chocolate candy coating – Candy coating is different from simply melting chocolate and almond bark. Use any of the types of coating just be sure to follow the package directions to melt it properly. Try colored candy coating too!
- sprinkles – (optional) colorful or holiday sprinkles
How to Make Peanut Butter Balls
- BATTER. Combine ½ cup peanut butter, 3 tablespoons butter, and 1 cup powdered sugar in a bowl mixing until dough forms.
- Shape the peanut butter mixture into 1-inch balls (a cookie scoop can help) and place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper. Chill for 30 minutes.
- CHOCOLATE. When done chilling, melt 1 pound candy coating until smooth. Dip balls into the coating until smooth and all over. Allow excess chocolate to drip off. Place them back on the lined baking sheet, add sprinkles before the chocolate sets, and chill for an additional 15-20 minutes.
- To add a chocolate drizzle, allow the balls to cool and set. Add melted candy coating to a piping bag with a small tip work quickly to add a drizzle design to the top of the chocolate balls.
How to Melt Candy Coating
Melt according to the package directions. We also like to use a double boiler because it keeps the chocolate melted without worrying it will burn.
Peanut Butter Balls Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 pound chocolate candy coating
- sprinkles
Instructions
- Combine peanut butter, butter, and sugar in a bowl mixing until dough forms.
- Shape into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Chill for 30 minutes.
- When done chilling, melt candy coating until smooth and dip balls coating with candy until smooth and all over.
- Place back on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet, sprinkle with sprinkles, and chill for an additional 15-20 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for about 3-4 days, in the refrigerator for 7-10 days, or freeze for 1-2 months.
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This recipe was originally published July 2021.
Making these today for my 94 year old father.
I’ve made these for years, and everyone loves them. What I do differently:
– I use chocolate chips with some paraffin instead of the chocolate coating. I like the idea of drizzling the coating at the end and will give that a try!
– I use a skewer instead of toothpicks Because I make several dozen of these, I would hate to waste that many toothpicks.
– If I want them to be true buckeye balls, I use a candy dipping tool and leave a small circle of exposed peanut butter on the top to replicate horse chestnuts.
Thanks for sharing what you do!
I could eat a whole plate of these! This recipe makes them so easy to make and so delicious!
Looks very easy and yummy. Will be making them!
So easy and delicious! A Christmas time MUST have.
Quick and easy recipe. Great treat for the kids.
Perfect for the Christmas plate! Yum
Excellent and easy recipe!! Try them! You will be amazed!
Such a classic and also an indulgent little treat, this is easily one of my Christmas go-to goodies. They are also fantastic to gift or take to the many parties and other gatherings at the holidays.
What a treat!
Made these. They are so good.
I love these. My husband makes them every Christmas. 5 star
Love these!!
The absolute BEST and easy recipe! Add a gold dragee and it’s a beautiful presentation.
Very easy and delicious!
Love making these around the holidays!
SO good!!!!
these are always on my cookie plate but the addition of chocolate sprinkles(jimmies in pgh )are a nice addition i will include this year,
I make these every Christmas for my friends and they love them. So easy to make.
So yummy!
Easy to make yet delicious
So yummy!
These look sooo good!
These are always a hit at our Christmas gatherings!
These are always a hit at the holidays!
What could be better?! This recipe is fantastic.
My favorite recipe to make for gifts.
I make these on a cold day so that I can just stack my trays in the garage. I probably make at least 10 batches every Christmas.
So easy and creamy and delicious. You can’t beat the chocolate PB combo!
These are amazing! Chocolate and peanut butter are the best combination 😋 ❤
Looks delicious, can’t wait to try these for Christmas!
Chocolate and Peanut Butter yumminess!
these are so good and easy to make
My family loves these
You can’t go wrong with peanut butter and chocolate!
Yummy a hoilday favorite
These look and sound so good! PB and chocolate make the best combination!
One of my very favorite candies to make at Christmas!
One of my absolute favorites!
This is a simple but a yummy recipe!😋
I made this one before & they are my kids fave!
Love these! They’re so easy to make….perfect for parties or large crowds, and everybody loves them!
These are my favorite treat ever and your recipe turned out SO GREAT! Can’t wait to make them again!
These homemade peanut butter balls are so easy to make and taste AMAZING!
Once again your recipe takes a fancy treat that looks like it would be tricky to make and shows how easy it actually is.
I am not a fan of peanut butter, but there is nothing I love more than peanut butter & chocolate together! Love the chocolate shell & the creamy middle. I’ll be snacking on these, way more than I should.
What can beat the taste of peanut butter and chocolate? Easy to make dessert.
Such a simple recipe but looks like it’s going to be heavenly especially if you are a chocolate and peanut butter lover.