Creamy Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

Heavenly Creamy Peanut Butter Balls Recipe for Sweet Moments

These mouthwatering peanut butter balls spark instant dessert excitement for anyone seeking a quick sweet treat.

Sweet sensations dance through classic no-bake magic in every delectable bite.

Chocolate and peanut butter create an irresistible combination that melts hearts.

Kids and adults alike crave these simple yet decadent spheres of happiness.

Minimal ingredients mean maximum satisfaction without complex kitchen techniques.

Rich flavors blend seamlessly into bite-sized perfection that disappears faster than you can mix them.

You’ll want to make a double batch because one plate never seems enough.

Why Creamy Peanut Butter Balls Are So Addictive

  • Craft Delightful Treats: Create mouthwatering peanut butter balls that are incredibly satisfying and perfect for sharing with loved ones.
  • Minimal Ingredient Magic: Combine just a few simple pantry staples to create a spectacular dessert that requires no advanced baking skills.
  • Customize with Creativity: Experiment with different chocolate coatings or sprinkle toppings to make these treats uniquely yours, making them ideal for parties, gifts, or personal indulgence.
  • No-Bake Bliss: Enjoy a stress-free dessert preparation that doesn't require an oven, making it accessible for cooks of all skill levels and perfect for warm days when you want something sweet without heating up the kitchen.

Everything You Need For Creamy Peanut Butter Balls

For the Base:
  • Peanut Butter: A creamy spread that provides the rich, nutty foundation for the recipe.
  • Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps bind the mixture together.
  • Graham Cracker Crumbs: Contributes a delightful texture and subtle graham flavor to the balls.
For the Binding and Flavoring:
  • Butter, Softened: Enhances the smoothness and helps create a cohesive mixture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, aromatic depth to the overall flavor profile.
For the Coating and Finishing:
  • Chocolate Chips, Vegetable Shortening: Create a smooth, glossy chocolate coating that enrobes the peanut butter balls.
  • Parchment Paper: Provides a non-stick surface for easy handling and setting of the treats.

How To Make Creamy Peanut Butter Balls Fast

Step 1: Whip Up Peanut Butter Base

Grab a large mixing bowl and combine your peanut butter, powdered sugar, and graham cracker crumbs. Mix everything thoroughly until you create a consistent, well-blended mixture that looks smooth and even.

Step 2: Enhance the Mixture

Fold in the softened butter and vanilla extract. Blend these ingredients carefully to develop a silky, moldable texture that will hold together perfectly.

Step 3: Chill the Mixture

Place the mixture in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. This cooling period will help the mixture become more manageable and easier to shape.

Step 4: Form Delightful Balls

Using clean hands, gently roll the chilled mixture into small, round balls. Each ball should be about the size of a golf ball or roughly 1 inch in diameter.

Step 5: Freeze for Stability

Arrange the formed balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pop them into the freezer for 30 minutes to help them maintain their shape during the coating process.

Step 6: Create Chocolate Coating

Set up a double boiler and melt chocolate chips with vegetable shortening. Stir continuously until the mixture becomes completely smooth and has a glossy appearance.

Step 7: Dunk in Chocolate

Remove the frozen peanut butter balls from the freezer. Carefully dip each ball into the melted chocolate, ensuring full and even coverage.

Step 8: Remove Excess Chocolate

Gently tap each chocolate-covered ball to remove any dripping chocolate. Place the coated balls back on the parchment-lined sheet.

Step 9: Set the Chocolate

Refrigerate the chocolate-covered balls for 10-15 minutes, allowing the chocolate to harden completely and create a perfect shell.

Step 10: Store and Enjoy

Transfer the finished treats to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to one week, letting the flavors develop and the texture remain deliciously creamy.

Tips To Nail Creamy Peanut Butter Balls Every Time

  • Chill for Stability: Refrigerate the mixture for 15-20 minutes to make rolling easier and prevent sticky hands during ball formation.
  • Master Even Coating: Use a fork when dipping peanut butter balls into melted chocolate to ensure smooth, uniform chocolate coverage without excess dripping.
  • Control Portion Size: Roll consistently sized 1-inch balls to guarantee uniform cooking and an attractive, professional appearance for your treats.
  • Prevent Chocolate Cracking: Add vegetable shortening to melted chocolate to create a glossy finish and prevent chocolate from becoming brittle when chilled.
  • Smart Storage Strategy: Keep chocolate-covered peanut butter balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they'll stay fresh for up to one week and maintain their delightful creamy texture.

Yummy Twists On Creamy Peanut Butter Balls

  • Nutty Protein Power: Add protein powder to the peanut butter mixture for a protein-packed energy boost.
  • Keto-Friendly Chocolate Bombs: Replace graham cracker crumbs with almond flour and use sugar-free chocolate for a low-carb version.
  • Dark Chocolate Drizzle Delight: Swap milk chocolate coating with dark chocolate and add sea salt sprinkle for gourmet touch.
  • Vegan Peanut Butter Balls: Use coconut oil instead of butter, dairy-free chocolate chips, and coconut sugar for plant-based alternative.

What Goes Great With Creamy Peanut Butter Balls

  • Pair Creamy Cocktails: Sip on a creamy peanut butter martini with vanilla vodka, chocolate liqueur, and a garnish of crushed graham crackers.
  • Complement with Coffee: Enjoy a rich, bold espresso or a caramel macchiato to balance the sweet chocolate and nutty peanut butter flavors.
  • Match with Red Wine: Select a full-bodied port wine or a sweet dessert wine like Madeira to enhance the chocolate's depth and complement the treat's richness.
  • Serve Alongside Dessert Wines: Try a chocolate-friendly Banyuls or a late-harvest Zinfandel that echoes the chocolate's sweetness and provides a luxurious tasting experience.

Best Way To Store Creamy Peanut Butter Balls

  • Place chocolate-covered peanut butter balls in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 7 days, maintaining their delightful texture and flavor.
  • Carefully arrange balls in a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring maximum freshness and enjoyment later.
  • Transfer frozen treats from freezer to refrigerator and let them gently thaw for 2-3 hours. This slow process helps preserve their creamy consistency and prevents condensation.
  • Remove from refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to allow slight softening, bringing out the rich, smooth peanut butter and chocolate flavors.

Creamy Peanut Butter Balls FAQs To Know

  • What ingredients give these peanut butter balls their unique texture?

Graham cracker crumbs provide a delightful crunch and help bind the mixture, while powdered sugar adds sweetness and helps create a smooth, moldable consistency.

  • Why do I need to refrigerate the mixture before forming balls?

Chilling helps firm up the mixture, making it easier to handle and shape into uniform balls without sticking to your hands.

  • How do I ensure the chocolate coating is smooth and even?

Melt chocolate chips with vegetable shortening in a double boiler, stirring constantly. This creates a glossy, thin coating that evenly covers the peanut butter balls.

  • Can I customize the chocolate coating?

Yes! You can use milk, dark, or white chocolate depending on your preference, or drizzle contrasting chocolate on top for a decorative touch.

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Creamy Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

Creamy Peanut Butter Balls Recipe


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4.6 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 50-55 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Sweet, irresistible peanut butter balls dance with rich chocolate coating, promising pure indulgence. Chocolate-dipped spheres of nutty delight deliver a perfect balance of smooth, sweet flavors you’ll savor with each delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups peanut butter
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs

Binding Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Coating Ingredients:

  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tbsp vegetable shortening

Instructions

  1. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly combine peanut butter, powdered sugar, and graham cracker crumbs until a uniform, cohesive mixture forms.
  2. Add softened butter and vanilla extract to the mixture, blending meticulously to create a smooth, moldable consistency.
  3. Refrigerate the mixture for 15-20 minutes, allowing it to firm up and become easier to handle.
  4. Using clean hands, roll the chilled mixture into uniform bite-sized spheres, approximately 1-inch in diameter.
  5. Place the formed balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes to ensure structural integrity.
  6. Prepare the chocolate coating by melting chocolate chips with vegetable shortening in a double boiler, stirring until perfectly smooth and glossy.
  7. Remove the chilled peanut butter balls from the freezer and carefully dip each one into the melted chocolate, ensuring complete and even coverage.
  8. Gently tap off excess chocolate and return the coated balls to the parchment-lined sheet.
  9. Refrigerate the chocolate-covered balls for 10-15 minutes, or until the chocolate sets completely.
  10. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to one week, allowing the flavors to meld and the texture to remain perfectly creamy.

Notes

  • Chill the mixture before rolling to prevent sticky hands and ensure easier ball formation.
  • Use a cookie scoop for uniform sizing and professional-looking peanut butter balls.
  • Opt for high-quality dark chocolate for a richer, more complex flavor profile and potential antioxidant benefits.
  • For gluten-free option, replace graham cracker crumbs with ground almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs to maintain texture.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Rolling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 201
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 80 mg
  • Fat: 13 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 10 mg
Olivia Brooks

Olivia Brooks

Contributing Writer

Expertise

  • Healthy recipe development
  • Plant-based cooking
  • Nutritional analysis
  • Food writing and content creation

Education

Culinary Institute of America
Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate Program
Focus: Culinary fundamentals, nutrition, and healthy cooking technique


Olivia believes good food should feed both the body and the soul. She earned her Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate from the Culinary Institute of America, where she focused on nutrition and practical cooking techniques that make healthy eating easy.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Olivia shares single-serving recipes that are fresh, plant-forward, and full of heart. She loves helping people eat better, without stress, strict rules, or sacrificing flavor.
Beyond the kitchen, Olivia spends her time tending her backyard garden, practicing yoga, and discovering hidden gems in Portland’s food scene.

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