Simple and Easy Peanut Butter Balls are a holiday favorite homemade candy! Made with creamy peanut butter and coated in chocolate, they are perfect for serving at parties, on cookie trays, and always a welcome gift for neighbors and friends.
Sweet treats of Mom’s Fudge, Oreo Truffle Balls, Old Fashioned Gingerbread Cake, Crock Pot Chocolate Pecan Candy and these yummy Peanut Butter Balls are a favorite homemade gift at the holidays!
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I don’t think there’s anything like the combination of peanut butter and chocolate, reminiscent of those little golden foil-wrapped candies we love so much.
So, why not make your own peanut butter candy at home? You may call this delicious treat buckeyes or truffles, but it doesn’t really matter because if you are a peanut butter lover, then I’m getting ready to make your day!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- No baking is required for this easy recipe!
- You only need 5-simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
- These peanut butter balls taste like Reese’s peanut butter cups but way better because they are homemade with quality ingredients.
- They can be made ahead of time for parties, cookie exchanges, dessert trays, or gift-giving.
- You can get creative with all kinds of toppings to serve on Christmas, any holiday, or a special occasion.
Ingredients For Peanut Butter Balls
- Graham Crackers – crushed to make graham cracker crumbs
- Creamy Peanut Butter
- Confectioners’ Sugar
- Salted Butter – at room temperature
- Chocolate Melt’s – milk chocolate or dark chocolate
- Topping – crushed peanuts, sprinkles, chocolate shavings
Scroll Down For Measurements And Instructions
Kitchen Tools To Make This Recipe
There’s no fancy kitchen equipment needed to make this peanut butter balls recipe, but I do recommend a few items to make things easy:
- Mixer – you can use a hand or stand mixer.
- Baking sheet – to place the candy on to set.
- Parchment Paper – to line the baking sheet.
- Fork, Spoon or Toothpick – used to dip the peanut butter balls into melted chocolate.
What Is The Best Chocolate For Peanut Butter Balls?
Melting chocolate is the best for coating peanut butter balls. Chocolate melts work much better than chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate. I like to use Ghiradelli chocolate candy melts because of their rich, deep flavor. They can be found in the baking aisle in the grocery store. Candiquick is another brand found in stores that’s easy to use.
How To Store And Freeze
To store your peanut butter balls, put them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They can also be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How To Make Peanut Butter Balls
There are 4-uncomplicated steps to making this homemade candy recipe!
- MIX – in a large mixing bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, peanut butter, powdered sugar and butter.
- SCOOP – using a teaspoon-sized scoop, measure the peanut butter mixture and roll it into balls. Place the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let them chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- DIP – Using a fork or two spoons, dip the peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate, tap off the excess chocolate, then transfer them back to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle on any toppings that you want.
- CHILL – place the sheet back into the refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes, or until the chocolate is set. Serve and enjoy!
Tips And Substitutions
- Other nut butters, like almond butter or cashew butter, can be used instead of peanut butter.
- Feel free to use white chocolate instead of milk or dark chocolate if you make this treat in the spring or summer.
- Make a double batch of peanut butter balls to keep on hand when entertaining. They thaw in about 15 minutes and are ready to serve.
Craving More? Try These Holiday Favorites:
Ingredients
- 1 cup crushed graham crackers
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup room-temperature salted butter
- 8 ounces chocolate melts
- chopped peanuts, or sprinkles for toppings if desired
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix crushed graham crackers, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and butter until smooth. Using a teaspoon-sized scoop, measure the dough and roll it into balls. Place the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let them chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Melt the chocolate over a double boiler or in the microwave. Using a fork or two spoons, dip the peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate, then transfer them back to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle on chopped peanuts or sprinkles if desired.
- Once all the peanut butter balls are chocolate covered, place the sheet back into the refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes, or the chocolate is set. Serve and enjoy!
Donna
The photo of the ingredients shows powdered milk? Should it be powdered sugar?
Can’t wait to make these for my gift trays!
Donya Mullins
Thank you, Donna! I have updated the photo with “powdered sugar” and I appreciate your keen eye.
I hope you enjoy this recipe!
Merry Christmas,
~Donya
Lori
can you use natural PB in these?
Donya Mullins
No – natural PB does not work in this recipe.
~Donya
buymmog
!!!I love chocolate, Madden 23 coins thanks for sharing!
Donya Mullins
Thanks for the terrific rating!
~Donya