Description
These No-Bake Christmas Peanut Butter Balls are a delectable holiday treat combining creamy peanut butter, sweet powdered sugar, and rich melted chocolate. Perfect for festive cookie trays and gift boxes, these easy-to-make candies require no baking and come together quickly with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Peanut Butter Mixture
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Chocolate Coating
- 12 oz melted chocolate (milk, dark, or semi-sweet)
Instructions
- Prepare the Peanut Butter Mixture: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup creamy peanut butter, ¼ cup softened unsalted butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until you have a smooth, stiff dough-like consistency.
- Form the Balls: Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, roll the mixture into bite-sized balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Chill the Balls: Refrigerate the peanut butter balls for 30 minutes to allow them to firm up, making them easier to dip in chocolate.
- Dip in Chocolate: Melt 12 ounces of chocolate in a double boiler or microwave until smooth. Using a fork or dipping tool, dip each peanut butter ball into the melted chocolate, coating it completely. Tap off any excess chocolate and place back onto the parchment-lined sheet.
- Set the Chocolate: Return the chocolate-coated balls to the refrigerator and chill until the chocolate is fully set, about 1 hour. Once firm, the peanut butter balls are ready to serve or package as gifts.
Notes
- Use creamy peanut butter for the smoothest texture.
- For best results, use high-quality chocolate for dipping.
- To make the dipping process easier, keep the peanut butter balls cold.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Variations include adding chopped nuts to the peanut butter mixture or using white chocolate for coating.