Who can resist peanut butter and chocolate together? These easy homemade peanut butter balls have a rich, creamy peanut butter center covered in delicious chocolate. They’re perfect for holiday candy trays, homemade Christmas gifts, or whenever a sweet craving hits. Grab the recipe and make a batch!
In case you’re wondering, there is one very simple way to get me to come running. Peanut butter and chocolate. I love both separately and combined so if you tell me you’re making easy peanut butter balls, I am on my way for the tasty treat I know is waiting on me!
Honestly, of everything chocolate and peanut butter I’ve tried, these one of my favorite no bake treats! They’re made with such simple pantry ingredients you likely already have! It boils down to a crispy chocolate coating and creamy or crunchy peanut butter in the center!
Yum, right?
What is the Difference Between Peanut Butter Balls and Buckeyes?
I’m gonna be honest here. Not much. The mixture is basically the same, but peanut butter buckeyes have a spot at the top left uncovered with chocolate so that each piece of candy resembles a buckeye nut.
The candy ones aren’t toxic though thankfully.
The other addition is that some folks like to stir in additions that give them a different texture than just peanut butter – nuts, graham cracker crumbs or Rice Krispies cereal to peanut butter balls where as buckeyes are always a creamy center filling.
As I’ve always told you here, with recipes like this easy peanut butter balls recipe, it’s your kitchen. Do what you want so long as you’re cooking with your heart.
How Do You Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls?
Like with candy buckeyes, the process for making these is super simple. Grab the ingredients and combine them in a large bowl. Chill them, coat in melted chocolate and allow them to harden. It really is that simple!
This recipe uses powdered sugar, creamy peanut butter, butter, vanilla extract and of course, melted chocolate!
What is Paraffin Wax?
If you’ve never heard of or used paraffin wax, it is a food grade wax used to seal certain containers or in this case, to thin and harden chocolate. Yes, chocolate will harden on its own but with the wax, it will harden better and not melt in your hand as easily. Paraffin is odorless and tasteless.
If you would prefer not to use the wax, you can substitute it for vegetable shortening or coconut oil.
Related: Chocolate Covered Peanut Clusters
Why Are My Peanut Butter Balls To Soft to Roll?
If you’re wondering why your peanut butter balls are too soft to roll, it’s because they contain peanut butter and you very likely didn’t chill the mixture in the fridge before trying to roll them. The mixture is soft by nature so it almost has to go in the refrigerator or freezer to make it easier to handle.
Otherwise, you’re going to end up with quite a large mess.
With that said, if you did do the chill step and they are still too soft to roll, you need to add more powdered sugar. Just watch your ratios because you don’t want to end up with less peanut butter flavor and more “oh my goodness that’s pure sugar” flavor.
How Long Are Peanut Butter Balls Good For?
Once you’ve made these easy peanut butter balls, they need to be stored in the fridge in an airtight container. Yes, they technically can sit on the counter, but to keep them fresh longer, keep them chilled. They warm fairly quickly so simply set a few out when you want to eat them.
Stored on the counter, you’re only looking at a few days before they will need to be tossed. In the fridge, they will keep 2-3 weeks. In the freezer, they should be eaten within 3-months.
Take a look at the recipe below and tell me, will you be adding this to your list of Christmas candy this year? We make them every year!
Easy Peanut Butter Balls
Equipment
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
- 1 double boiler
- 1 Electric mixer
- Dry Measuring Spoons
- Dry Measuring Cups
Ingredients
- 3-4 C Confectioners Sugar
- 1 ½ C Peanut Butter
- ½ C Unsalted Butter Softened
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 ½ C Chocolate Chips Semi-Sweet or Milk
- ½ Block Paraffin Wax
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine peanut butter and unsalted butter until fully combined.
- Add powdered sugar a little at a time until you have a creamy, stiffer mixture.
- Cover mixture with plastic wrap and chill for at least one hour.
- Remove peanut butter mixture from the fridge and roll into 1" balls.
- Place peanut butter balls on a baking sheet lined with wax paper.
- Freeze until solid.
- Melt chocolate and paraffin wax in a double boiler. Keep warm as it will harden fast as it cools due to the wax.
- Using a toothpick in the center, dip one peanut butter into chocolate mix and place back on the wax paper.
- Allow to fully cool and harden then enjoy!
Notes
- If you want to make crispy peanut butter balls, add 1/2 cup Rice Krispie or 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs to the peanut butter mixture. Know this will change the texture and may require more peanut butter to get the correct consistency.
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