Heavenly Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

Sweet & Nutty Homemade Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

Chocolate-coated peanut butter balls dance with delightful nostalgia, capturing childhood memories in every sweet peanut butter balls recipe bite.

These irresistible treats blend creamy peanut butter with powdered sugar and rich chocolate for an indulgent experience.

No complex techniques stand between you and these delectable spheres of pure happiness.

A few simple ingredients merge to create magic in your kitchen.

Each ball offers a perfect balance of smooth peanut butter and decadent chocolate coating.

Rolling these treats becomes a joyful moment of culinary creativity.

Dive into this easy recipe and unleash a wave of sweet, nutty bliss that will leave everyone craving more.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 178 kcal

Servings: 19

All Ingredients For Peanut Butter Balls

For Filling Base:
  • Peanut Butter: Creamy and rich foundation that provides smooth texture and robust nutty flavor, opt for natural or traditional style without added sugars.
  • Butter: Adds luxurious richness and helps bind ingredients together, choose unsalted for better flavor control.
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth sweetness and helps firm up the mixture, sift to prevent clumping.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic undertones, use pure extract for best results.
For Coating:
  • Chocolate Chips: Delivers delectable chocolate layer, select high-quality dark or milk chocolate for smooth melting.
  • Coconut Oil: Helps chocolate achieve glossy finish and provides silky texture, ensure it's food-grade and refined.
For Optional Garnish:
  • Sea Salt: Sprinkle for sophisticated flavor contrast, enhances chocolate and peanut butter combination.
  • Chopped Nuts: Adds delightful crunch and visual appeal, select roasted peanuts or almonds for extra texture.

Things You Need For Peanut Butter Balls

  • Large bowl: Essential for mixing peanut butter filling ingredients smoothly.
  • Baking sheet: Needed to hold and shape peanut butter balls during chilling.
  • Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
  • Microwave-safe bowl: Perfect for melting chocolate chips evenly.
  • Fork or toothpick: Helps dip and coat balls in melted chocolate precisely.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.

Directions To Make Peanut Butter Balls

  • Flavor Foundation

Whip together creamy peanut butter with soft butter, powdered sugar, and a splash of vanilla. The mixture should feel like a rich, moldable dough that holds its shape perfectly when rolled.

  • Ball Creation

Gently roll the mixture into small, uniform spheres. Place these delicate orbs on a chilled parchment-lined tray. Pop them in the refrigerator to firm up and become more manageable.

  • Chocolate Coating Preparation

Melt chocolate chips with a touch of coconut oil in smooth, gentle intervals. Stir carefully to create a glossy, silky chocolate bath that will embrace each peanut butter sphere.

  • Chocolate Immersion

Carefully dunk each peanut butter ball into the warm chocolate, ensuring a complete and elegant chocolate jacket. Tap off excess chocolate and return each coated treasure to the chilled tray.

  • Final Chill

Allow the chocolate-covered delights to rest in the refrigerator until the coating becomes firm and glossy. This magical transformation takes about 30 minutes.

  • Serving and Storage

Transfer these decadent treats to an airtight container. They’ll happily wait in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or can be frozen for longer enjoyment.

Tricks And Mix-Ins For Peanut Butter Balls

  • Chilly Chocolate Coating Trick: Freeze the peanut butter balls for 10-15 minutes before dipping in chocolate to prevent them from falling apart and ensure a smoother chocolate shell.
  • No-Mess Dipping Technique: Use a plastic fork with the middle tines removed for easier chocolate coating and cleaner draining, preventing excess chocolate from pooling.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Verify that powdered sugar and chocolate chips are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions. Many brands offer safe alternatives that work perfectly.
  • Flavor Explosion Variations: Experiment with different mix-ins like crushed pretzels, graham cracker crumbs, or chopped nuts to add texture and enhance the classic peanut butter ball flavor. Sprinkle sea salt or drizzle white chocolate for gourmet touches.
  • Dietary-Friendly Options: Swap regular peanut butter with almond or sunflower seed butter for nut-free versions. Use dairy-free chocolate and plant-based butter alternatives to create vegan-friendly treats that everyone can enjoy.

How To Serve Peanut Butter Balls

  • Chocolate Drizzle Delight: Add extra chocolate on top of each ball by using a spoon or piping bag for a gourmet, professional look that adds visual appeal and extra chocolate flavor.
  • Party Platter Presentation: Arrange the peanut butter balls on a decorative platter with small paper cups, creating an elegant dessert display perfect for gatherings, holidays, or potlucks.
  • Sweet Gift Packaging: Package the balls in clear treat bags with festive ribbons, making them a charming homemade gift for birthdays, holidays, or as a thoughtful personal treat for friends and family.
  • Nutty Topping Twist: Sprinkle crushed peanuts, coconut flakes, or colorful sprinkles on top of the chocolate coating while it's still wet to add extra texture and a delightful crunch.

Peanut Butter Balls Storage And Planning Tips

  • Chilled Delight Storage: Keep peanut butter balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator, maintaining their perfect texture and preventing flavor absorption from other foods.
  • Quick Freeze Method: Separate balls with parchment paper when freezing to prevent sticking, allowing easy individual removal for quick snacking or unexpected guests.
  • Smart Portion Control: Arrange balls in single layers inside storage containers, making it simple to grab a treat without thawing entire batch or disrupting other pieces.
  • Temperature Tip: Let frozen peanut butter balls sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving to soften slightly and enhance their creamy, rich taste.
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Heavenly Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

Heavenly Peanut Butter Balls Recipe


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4.5 from 22 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 19 1x

Description

Irresistible chocolate-coated peanut butter balls deliver sweet nostalgia from childhood desserts. Homemade treats combine creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, and rich chocolate for a delightful snack you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons (2 tbsps) coconut oil or vegetable shortening
  • 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Mixture Preparation: Combine peanut butter, softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl, blending thoroughly until a uniform, pliable consistency forms.
  2. Sphere Shaping and Chilling: Mold the mixture into marble-sized spheres, arranging them on a parchment-lined tray. Refrigerate for 45 minutes to set and stabilize the shape.
  3. Chocolate Coating: Melt chocolate chips with coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring periodically to create a smooth, glossy chocolate mixture.
  4. Enrobing and Finishing: Using a fork, dip each chilled peanut butter ball into the melted chocolate, ensuring complete coverage. Place the chocolate-coated spheres back on the parchment-lined tray, maintaining spacing between each piece.
  5. Final Chilling and Storage: Return the chocolate-covered balls to the refrigerator for 30-40 minutes until the chocolate hardens completely. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or freeze for three months.

Notes

  • Chill Before Coating: Refrigerate peanut butter balls for 45 minutes to help maintain shape and prevent crumbling during chocolate dipping.
  • Smooth Chocolate Technique: Melt chocolate chips slowly and stir frequently to avoid burning, creating a glossy and even coating for perfect texture.
  • Size Consistency: Use a small cookie scoop or melon baller to create uniform-sized balls, ensuring even chilling and consistent chocolate coverage.
  • Storage Hack: Layer parchment paper between balls when storing to prevent sticking and maintain their pristine chocolate shell appearance.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 19
  • Calories: 178
  • Sugar: 13 g
  • Sodium: 36 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 2 mg
Jessica Martin

Jessica Martin

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography​, Seasonal and Local Ingredients​, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine​, Culinary Education​

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and food safety. Gained hands-on experience in preparing diverse cuisines and understanding flavor profiles

Oregon Culinary Institute

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized education in baking fundamentals, pastry arts, and dessert presentation. Emphasized creativity and precision in crafting baked goods.​

Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking. 

Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes. 

Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.

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