Peanut Butter Balls

Peanut Butter Balls are one of the most requested no bake treats I make! They are always the first thing gone on any cookie platter, and they are just the perfect, easy, chocolate peanut butter treat!

Try My Buckeye Brownie Cookies Too!

Peanut Butter Balls Are A Year Round Favorite Treat!

While Peanut Butter Balls (also known as Buckeye Balls) are a staple on my holiday dessert tray every year, the combo of chocolate and peanut butter is pretty hard to resist any time of the year! These sweet, EASY Peanut Butter Balls are delicious, pretty, and a crowd favorite. Let’s talk about how to make one of my most favorite treats of all times!

What To Expect (The Secret Ingredient)

This easy candy recipe is a classic for a reason. My recipe is a littler different than some, in that I use a secret ingredient: crushed graham crackers!! The graham cracker crumbs add a subtle sweetness and flavor as well as giving them a PERFECT texture…a lot like a Reese’s cup! Trust me, it’s a game changer!

• An easy no bake recipe that is perfect for the kids to help with too.
• Make these way ahead and freeze them! 
• The perfect gifting candy that everyone loves.
• Minimal, simple ingredients

Peanut Butter Balls can also be referred to as Buckeyes!

Buckeyes are popular in Ohio, as the Buckeye is the state tree! Buckeye Balls are only partially dipped in chocolate, leaving the peanut butter showing on the top. That way they look like the nuts from a Buckeye tree. Peanut Butter Balls are traditionally covered in chocolate.

Ingredients:

For the full ingredient list and recipe jump down to the bottom of the post!

• Creamy peanut butter. I just use good old Jif or Skippy!
• Butter at room temperature. I like to use salted butter in this recipe, but if you prefer unsalted butter that works too!
• Powdered sugar
• Crushed graham crackers
• Semi-sweet chocolate (for melting)

How To Make Peanut Butter Balls:

1. In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment combine the peanut butter and butter, mixing on medium speed until smooth.
2. Turn mixer to low and add in the powdered sugar and graham cracker crumbs, mixing until evenly incorporated. Mixture will be thick.
3. Using a small cookie scoop (about 1 tablespoon), portion out the mixture and roll into balls. Place them on a large parchment lined baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to chill.
4. In a medium bowl melt the chocolate in 25- second increments, stirring after each until smooth.
5. Using a fork, dip each peanut butter ball into the melted chocolate, tapping off the excess. Place back on the parchment lined baking sheet. Repeat with all balls.
6. Drizzle any extra chocolate on top of the balls.
7. Allow the chocolate to set before storing.
8. Notes:
9. Tip – Drag a toothpick around the melted chocolate when you place the dipped peanut butter ball back onto the baking sheet after dipping. This will prevent the chocolate from pooling up at the bottom as it dries, and just making the balls prettier.

Tips On How To Make Easy Peanut Butter Balls

These are such an easy treat, but I have to admit, dipping the balls in chocolate isn’t my favorite thing to do! This is where I get my kids involved in the process. They love helping out in the kitchen from time to time, especially if it’s for one of their most favorite treats!

• Make sure they’re chilled when you dip them. It will make the process MUCH easier! The chocolate will set up more quickly and the peanut butter balls will hold their shape when you dip and tap the excess warm chocolate.
• I like to use Ghirardelli Melting Wafers most of all for dipping. They melt SO smooth, and taste delicious. You don’t need to add an extra tablespoon of butter or shortening into the chocolate to thin it out…it’s just the perfect consistency!
• BUT if you can’t find the Ghirardelliwafers, you certainly can use chocolate chips, or even almond bark. Since chocolate chips are necessarily made for melting, this is where you can add a tablespoon of shortening or butter into the chocolate to thin it out a little bit, making the dipping process easier.
• You can melt the chocolate in the microwave in 25- second increments, or over a double boiler.
• If the chocolate thickens up too much while you’re dipping, melt it again for a few seconds, until you reach the desired consistency.
• You can decorate these with sprinkles, sea salt, or just drizzle some extra chocolate over top, like I did!
• When you dip the balls in the chocolate make sure to tap off all the excess chocolate you can! Then when you place the dipped ball onto the parchment lined sheet, use a toothpick and drag it around the base of the ball so it doesn’t pool up at the bottom!

Pro Tip: You can even use a toothpick for dipping the balls into the chocolate. It tends to get a little messier, but it works.

Can You Freeze Peanut Butter Balls?

Yes! You can absolutely freeze these. First allow the chocolate to set completely. Then in a large, airtight, tupperware-style container, place the balls in an even layer in the bottom of the container. Place a piece of parchment paper on top of them and make another layer. Repeat as many times as you can, depending on the depth of the container. You can store them in the freezer for up to a month.

Variations:

• Shape them into Eggs! For a special Easter theme, you can shape your peanut butter balls into the shape of an egg and make these Peanut Butter Eggs for Easter. They are so much better than Reese’s Eggs…if that’s possible!
• Dip them into white chocolate or milk chocolate! Semi-sweet or dark chocolate is my go-to, as it cuts the sweetness, but you can absolutely switch it up!
• Use crunchy peanut butter if you like that texture!

How To Store/Freezing Option:

1. Store at room temperature for up to 2 days in an airtight container.
2. Refrigerate up to a week in an airtight container.
3. Freeze airtight for up to a month. Thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Love Chocolate and Peanut Butter? Here Are A Few More Recipes You Will Love:

• Peanut Butter Chip Chocolate Cookies
• Peanut Butter Cup Cake
• Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

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