Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls

Whip up the best no-bake dessert that tastes like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups with these decadent Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls. Using just five ingredients, these creamy peanut butter truffles, coated in rich dark chocolate, are the perfect party treats for holidays or any special occasion.

These easy peanut butter balls are a great recipe to make when you want to give a homemade gift to someone. They are so beautiful that they look like a professional chocolatier made them. And they taste just as good, too! The sweet, fluffy peanut butter filling is encased in rich dark chocolate and topped with a sweet peanut butter glaze. They are the ultimate peanut butter dessert! 

Chocolate-covered peanut butter balls are the perfect things to give as gifts, serve at parties, or sell at a bake sale. They taste perfect any time of year! These five-ingredient peanut butter balls are so easy to make that you’ll make them a new family tradition. Turn on some music, grab the mixer, and let’s get baking! 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple Ingredients. This easy recipe uses ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. 
• No baking is required. These no-bake peanut butter balls are ready in 45 minutes. 
• Easy to change. Use sunflower seed butter or another type of nut or seed butter.
• Tastes like candy. They have the same flavor as Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. 

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

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Truffles

• Creamy Peanut Butter: Either natural peanut butter or processed peanut butter will taste perfect, as long as it’s creamy. 
• Unsalted Butter: To control the saltiness of the truffles, use unsalted butter and ensure it’s softened, making it easier to mix. 
• Powdered Sugar: This is the best option for sweetening the balls, as it makes the filling extra fluffy. 
• Vanilla Extract: This adds a deeper flavor to the filling. 
• Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Melting Wafers: This is the candy coating; you can use your favorite flavor or variety of chocolate. 

Optional Peanut Butter Drizzle 

• Ghirardelli Vanilla Melting Wafers: This sweetens the glaze and makes it harden as it cools. 
• Creamy Peanut Butter: This is essential if you want it to taste like the real thing.   

How to Make Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls

• Step One: Line a large baking tray with parchment paper and set it aside.
• Step Two: In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer, beat the peanut butter and softened butter until smooth and well blended.

• Step Three: Add the vanilla extract and gradually add the powdered sugar a little at a time, beating together until well combined. The mixture will be soft, so place the bowl into the refrigerator to chill for 20 minutes to firm it up.

• Step Four: Once chilled, use a 1 ½-inch cookie scoop to form into balls. Roll them in your clean hands until even and round. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
• Step Five: Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator to chill for another 20 minutes.
• Step Six: Prepare a double boiler over low heat to melt the dark chocolate melting wafers. Stir occasionally until the mixture is fully melted and smooth. You can also use a microwave to melt the chocolate, setting it to low and melting in 30-second intervals.
• Step Seven: Use a fork to dip each of the chilled balls, one at a time, into the melted chocolate. Lift the ball out using the fork and tap it against the side to shake off any excess.

• Step Eight: Place the coated ball back onto the prepared baking tray and continue coating the remaining balls. Place the baking sheet back in the fridge so the chocolate coating can set, about 5 minutes.
• Step Nine: Using a clean double boiler, melt the vanilla wafers and peanut butter together over low heat. Stir occasionally until fully melted.
• Step Ten: Remove the baking sheet from the fridge. Drizzle the melted peanut butter mixture over the balls using a fork or a piping bag.
• Step Eleven: Refrigerate until ready to eat.

What to Serve with Them

The creamy peanut butter filling makes these little bites one of the best snacks or desserts. Serve them with other peanut butter treats, such as these. 

• Peanut Butter Cookies 
• Peanut Butter Pie 
• Peanut Butter Bars
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies 
• No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls 

Variations and Substitutions

• For firmer peanut butter balls, mix in an extra ½ to ¾ cup of powdered sugar. Keep in mind that it will make it much sweeter. You can alternatively mix in ½ to ¾ cup of heat-treated flour. This will slightly alter the flavor and consistency, making it closer to cookie dough.
• Add candy or nuts. Add a touch of chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, toffee bits, Reese’s pieces, graham cracker crumbs, or even Rice Krispies cereal for added fun flavors and textures. Easily make this your own!
• For the drizzle, you do not need to mix the peanut butter with the vanilla melting wafers. You can melt only peanut butter if desired, or even drizzle the tops with leftover dark chocolate melting wafers. I find that mixing the peanut butter with the melting wafers is better because it will allow it to harden, which makes storing leftovers much easier.
• Top it with chopped nuts, sprinkles, or even finishing salt if desired.
• Use almond butter or cashew butter instead of peanut butter 
• Instead of dark chocolate, use semi-sweet chocolate chips. 
• Use coconut oil instead of butter. 

Storage Instructions 

Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

You can also freeze them in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to 3 months.

Before freezing, the coating must be completely set, and the peanut butter balls must be at room temperature. If they are too warm, they will get stuck together.

Another way to prevent them from sticking together is to place a sheet of parchment paper or wax paper between the layers. Then, thaw the chocolate peanut butter balls in the refrigerator before eating them. 

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• These peanut butter balls are sticky to roll, so be sure to chill them for a long enough time for them to firm up. It will be easier to handle, but you should still work quickly.
• Chill the balls again after rolling, as they will soften again from being in your hands. Chilling will allow it to firm back up, so it can retain its shape when dipped into the melted wafers.
• Make sure to top it immediately after dipping the balls in the melts and placing them onto the baking sheet before the chocolate sets.

Why Are My Peanut Butter Balls Soft?

The most common reason your peanut butter balls are so soft is that you didn’t add enough powdered sugar. The powdered sugar helps the filling become firm and holds it together better. You can also try adding a little more butter. 

What Is The Difference Between Buckeyes and Peanut Butter Balls? 

Buckeye candies look like the Buckeye nuts that are native to Ohio. Instead of coating the entire peanut butter ball in chocolate, a spot at the top remains uncovered. This is what makes them look like nuts. That’s honestly the most significant difference between them. 

Can I Make Peanut Butter Cups Instead of Balls?

Yes, this recipe will also make peanut butter cups! To make peanut butter cups, line a cupcake tin with cupcake liners. Then, pour a layer of melted chocolate, add a layer of peanut butter filling, and top with more chocolate. Let them chill and set. 

Christmas Candy Recipes        

These little peanut butter balls are the perfect addition to Christmas candy dishes. Here are some more holiday treats you should make next: 

• Crockpot Candied Nuts
• Double Chocolate Meringue Cookies
• Frito Candy
• Peppermint Crockpot Candy
• Pecan Pie Balls
• Buddy the Elf Christmas Crack
• Cookie Dough Truffles
• No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Haystacks

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