Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter Balls: A Delectable Treat from My Baking Addiction
Chocolate-covered peanut butter balls are a festive treat that transports easily to all your holiday parties. Use your favorite chocolates, candy melts, and sprinkles to decorate these sweet little bites.
This time of year is perfect for little poppable treats. Peppermint Oreo balls, homemade truffles, bourbon balls, and these chocolate-covered peanut butter balls are some of my personal favorites. These festive little bites are easy to make, and you can’t go wrong with the classic combination of chocolate and peanut butter. Add adorable red, white, and green sprinkles, and you’re on to something truly fun.
Festive Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter Balls
If you’re a fan of that classic peanut butter and chocolate combination, these chocolate-covered peanut butter balls are for you. Whether it’s peanut butter cup brownies, peanut butter blossoms, or peanut butter pretzel bars, you can’t beat the combination of creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate. It only makes sense to transform this old-fashioned recipe into a chocolate-covered treat!
The best part is that you can customize these delightful bites in any way you like. Choose your favorite milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate chips, and add some colorful candy melts and festive sprinkles. They’re perfect for holiday parties, showers, game day, or any festive gathering, and they can be made ahead of time, so you won’t be rushed on the day of your event!
How to Make Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter Balls
This recipe is not only delicious but also a great one to make with kids! Since it’s a no-bake recipe, children can help with mixing the peanut butter filling, rolling the balls, dipping them, and decorating them with sprinkles.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The filling for these chocolate-covered peanut butter balls is made with the following ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
For decorating, gather:
- Your favorite chocolate chips
- Candy melts or almond bark
- Colorful sprinkles
It’s that simple! Most of the ingredients can be found in a couple of aisles at the grocery store, so you can make a quick trip.
Choosing the Right Peanut Butter
Be sure to use creamy peanut butter for this recipe. Standard creamy peanut butter or no-stir natural peanut butter works well. Avoid using natural peanut butter that consists solely of ground peanuts, as it won’t yield the same results in this recipe.
Making the Peanut Butter Balls
Start by making the filling. In a mixer, beat together softened butter, peanut butter, and vanilla until well mixed. Gradually add powdered sugar and salt at low speed to avoid making a mess. Once combined, increase the speed and beat for about 2 minutes until the mixture resembles cookie dough.
Portion out the filling using about 2 teaspoons for small balls or 1 tablespoon for larger ones. Roll each into a ball and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill in the fridge for at least an hour, and smooth them in your palms if needed before coating.
Decorating Tips & Ideas
You can get creative when dip-decorating these chocolate-covered peanut butter balls. Use dark, milk, or white chocolate chips, along with candy melts or almond bark for dipping and accents.
To decorate, melt the chocolate according to package directions. Using a fork, lower each chilled ball into the melted chocolate and allow excess to drip off before placing it back on the parchment. Feel free to drizzle contrasting colors and add sprinkles while the chocolate is still wet for added flair!
Storage Tips
Once the chocolate has set, transfer the peanut butter balls to an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper if stacking them. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for a month. Chocolate-covered peanut butter balls thaw quickly, and many find them even more delicious straight from the freezer!