Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

There are few combinations superior to chocolate and peanut butter, and these super simple, no-bake balls of heaven will definitely demonstrate that!

What’s in chocolate peanut butter balls?

Here’s everything you’ll need in order to make a batch of these:

• Peanut butter- duh! 
• Butter
• Vanilla extract
• Salt
• Powdered sugar
• Semi-sweet chocolate 
• Vegetable oil

 How do you make chocolate peanut butter balls?

First, we’ll make the peanut butter center. In a medium saucepan, were’ going to combine the peanut butter and the butter.

Once those are melted, we will add in the vanilla and the salt, mix, and then add the powdered sugar.

Once all the ingredients are combined, you’ll get a thick, dough-like peanut butter mixture. Allow the mixture to cool until it reaches room temperature, so it is easier to roll into balls. You can transfer it to the fridge to speed up the cooling process if you want.

Once cool enough, use a small cookie scoop to portion out the peanut butter mixture and roll it into balls. Place these balls on a baking sheet, and then freeze them for at least 20 minutes.

While they are in the freezer, melt the chocolate and vegetable oil over a double boiler; the vegetable oil is used to loosen up the chocolate to make it much easier to dip and coat the peanut butter balls.

Once your chocolate is ready, dunk the peanut butter balls into the chocolate; you can use a toothpick or a fork to dip them in. Tip: I also like to move the melted chocolate to a measuring cup or a narrower glass so that there is enough room to be able to completely submerge them. 

Place the dipped peanut butter balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and let them harden at rom temperature for about 1 hour. 

Decorating chocolate peanut butter balls

You can leave these undecorated, or drizzle on some more chocolate or peanut butter (or both)!

To drizzle with peanut butter, I just melted about ¼ cup of peanut butter in the microwave for about 20 seconds, then transferred to a plastic bag with the corner snipped off and drizzled the peanut butter over the tops of the hardened chocolate- then topped with chopped peanuts for a little extra pizzazz.

What kind of peanut butter should I use?

This recipe will work with natural peanut butters (like Justin’s) or regular peanut butters (like Jif) Just choose your fave! I used natural peanut butter for this recipe and it turned out great.

Still craving peanut butter? Try these recipes!

• Chia Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie
• Peanut Butter Snickerdoodles
• Peanut Butter and Jelly Cups

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

Peanut butter lovers, this one’s for you! Picture biting into a ball of rich, creamy peanut butter coated in chocolate… its like a Reese’s, but homemade. This is the easy to make, bite sized dessert every peanut butter fan needs to know how to make!

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

1. Add peanut butter and butter to a medium saucepan; melt over medium heat. Once melted, remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and salt; add powdered sugar and mix until well combined. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
2. Using a small cookie scoop, portion out the peanut butter into balls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and transfer to freezer for at least 20 minutes.
3. In a double boiler, melt the chocolate and the vegetable oil; stir until smooth.
4. Using a toothpick, dip the peanut butter balls into the chocolate. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheet; allow to sit and harden at room temperature, about 1 hour.

Dessert

chocolate, no-bake, peanut butter, peanut butter balls