These easy 5-ingredient peanut butter balls are a simple, no-bake candy made with just five ingredients. They’re a perfect make-ahead treat for gifting, holiday parties, and Christmas cookie trays.
These Peanut Butter Balls are a classic no-bake candy that belongs on every Christmas cookie tray. They’re made with just five simple ingredients, which give the soft and sweet peanut butter centers the perfect texture.
The peanut butter mixture is rolled into bite-size balls and dipped in melted chocolate for a smooth, rich finish that looks beautiful and festive. Since they keep well and can be made days ahead, they’re ideal for holiday gifting, party trays, and filling your freezer with ready-to-go treats. Simple, nostalgic, and always a hit with kids and adults alike!
Ingredient notes and substitutions
- Chunky peanut butter: Instead of crunchy peanut butter, you can use creamy peanut butter if you prefer to avoid peanut chunks in the truffle.
- Salted butter: If using unsalted butter, add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the batter.
- Milk chocolate candy melts: Other options include dark or white chocolate.
- Dark chocolate candy melts: For drizzling options, you can also use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate.
How to make peanut butter balls
Here you’ll find instructions and step-by-step photos showing how to make this recipe. The full recipe, including ingredients, is given below.
Step 1: With an electric mixer, beat together the peanut butter and butter on medium speed in a large bowl until combined.
Step 1: Reduce the speed to low and slowly add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
Step 3: Scoop a heaping teaspoon of the batter, roll it into a ball, and place it on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
Repeat with the remaining dough, rolling it into smooth balls.
Step 4: Refrigerate the sheet pan for 1 hour to let the peanut butter set.
Step 5: Once the peanut butter filling has set, melt the milk chocolate in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until fully melted.
Step 6: Using a fork, dip the peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate, letting the excess chocolate drip off, and place them onto a parchment-lined sheet pan.
Step 7: Melt the dark chocolate in a small mixing bowl in the microwave, stirring after each 30-second interval until melted.
Step 8: Transfer the dark chocolate to a large resealable bag and cut off a small tip from the corner. Drizzle the dark chocolate over the top of the peanut butter balls. Let the chocolate set completely and then enjoy.
Recipe Tips!
- Melting the chocolate without a microwave: If you don’t have a microwave, you can melt the chocolate using the double boiler method. This involves placing your chocolates in a heat-proof glass or stainless-steel bowl and then setting that on top of a pan half-filled with boiling water. Be sure that the bowl isn’t touching the water, and also be sure to stir your chocolate regularly until it melts, and then immediately remove it from the heat.
- Keeping the chocolate warm while dipping: Wrap a towel around the bowl when removing it from the microwave to help it stay hot. If it begins to set up, microwave it for another 10 seconds or as needed.
- Decorating: You can add festive sprinkles, chopped peanuts, or other decorations on top of the peanut butter balls.
To freeze: Place the balls in a single layer in a freezer-safe container or separate layers with a piece of wax paper. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Storage
Peanut butter balls should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to 2 weeks when properly stored in the fridge.
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Easy Peanut Butter Balls Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup chunky peanut butter not natural
- ½ cup salted butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 12 ounces milk chocolate candy melts
- ½ cup milk or dark chocolate candy melts for drizzling
Instructions
- With an electric mixer, beat together the peanut butter and butter on medium-high speed until combined.1 cup chunky peanut butter, ½ cup salted butter
- Reduce the speed to low and slowly add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract.2 cups powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Scoop a heaping teaspoon of the batter, roll it into a ball, and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Repeat with the remaining peanut butter mixture.
- Refrigerate the baking sheet for 1 hour to let the peanut butter set.
- Once the peanut butter has set, melt the milk chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted.12 ounces milk chocolate candy melts
- Using a fork, dip the peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate and place them onto a parchment-lined sheet pan.
- Melt the dark chocolate in a small mixing bowl in the microwave, stirring after each 30-second interval until melted.½ cup milk or dark chocolate candy melts
- Transfer the dark chocolate to a large resealable bag and cut off a small tip from the corner, and drizzle the dark chocolate over the truffles.
- Let the chocolate set completely and then enjoy.
Notes
- Chunky peanut butter: Alternatively, you can use smooth peanut butter if you prefer to avoid peanut chunks in the truffle.
- Salted butter: If using unsalted butter, add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the batter.
- Milk chocolate candy melts: Other options include dark or white chocolate.
- Dark chocolate candy melts: For drizzling options, you can also use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate.
- Nutrition values are estimates.
Nutrition
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