Sweet & Festive Christmas Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

Sweet memories of childhood holiday gatherings inspire these delightful christmas peanut butter balls that bring joy to every festive table.

Grandma’s secret recipe whispers nostalgic comfort through each creamy bite.

Decadent chocolate-coated morsels promise pure indulgence with minimal kitchen effort.

Minimal ingredients combine to create magic in just minutes.

Mixing becomes a playful experience you’ll treasure alongside loved ones.

Chocolate and peanut butter dance together in perfect harmony.

These irresistible treats will have everyone asking for seconds before the plate even touches the table.

What Makes Christmas Peanut Butter Balls a Festive Treat

• Craft Festive Treats: Create delightful Christmas peanut butter balls that bring joy and nostalgia to holiday gatherings with minimal kitchen skills required.
• Quick Kitchen Magic: Prepare these delectable treats in just a few simple steps, making them perfect for busy cooks who want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Family Bonding Delight: Engage kids and adults alike in a fun cooking activity that encourages teamwork and creates sweet memories during the holiday season.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Serve up a universally loved treat that satisfies sweet tooths and works wonderfully as a homemade gift or party contribution.

Ingredients for Christmas Peanut Butter Balls

• Peanut Butter: Creamy and rich base that provides the main flavor of the Christmas treat.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps bind the ingredients together.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create the smooth, moldable texture.
• Rice Cereal: Adds a delightful crunch and textural contrast to the soft peanut butter mixture.

• Chocolate Chips: Creates a smooth, sweet chocolate coating that complements the peanut butter.
• Vegetable Shortening: Helps thin the chocolate and ensures a smooth, glossy finish.

• Wax Paper: Prevents the balls from sticking and makes cleanup easier.

How to Prepare Festive Peanut Butter Balls

Step 1: Blend Creamy Mixture

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine smooth peanut butter, softened butter, powdered sugar, and crispy rice cereal. Use a sturdy spatula or electric mixer to thoroughly blend all ingredients until they form a consistent, moldable texture.

Step 2: Shape Delightful Spheres

Gently roll the mixed ingredients into small, bite-sized balls using your hands. Carefully place each round ball onto a baking sheet covered with wax paper, ensuring they are evenly spaced.

Step 3: Prepare Chocolate Coating

Select a microwave-safe bowl and combine chocolate chips with vegetable shortening. Microwave in short 30-second bursts, stirring between each interval until the mixture becomes completely smooth and glossy.

Step 4: Dunk and Coat Treats

Using a fork or dipping tool, carefully lower each peanut butter ball into the melted chocolate. Rotate and twirl to ensure complete and even chocolate coverage. Gently tap off excess chocolate.

Step 5: Let Chocolate Set

Return the chocolate-covered balls to the wax paper-lined baking sheet. Allow them to rest and solidify at room temperature or accelerate the process by placing them in the refrigerator until the chocolate hardens completely.

Step 6: Store and Serve

Transfer the finished Christmas peanut butter balls to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator and enjoy within one week for maximum freshness and flavor.

Pro Tips for Perfect Holiday Peanut Butter Balls

• Chill the peanut butter mixture for 15-20 minutes before shaping to make rolling easier and prevent sticky hands.
• Use a fork or dipping tool to smoothly coat balls in melted chocolate, allowing excess chocolate to drip off for a cleaner finish.
• Swap regular chocolate chips with dark, milk, or white chocolate for different flavor variations and visual appeal.
• Add festive sprinkles or crushed candy canes immediately after dipping to create a holiday-themed treat that looks extra special.
• Store peanut butter balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, making them perfect for holiday gift-giving or party treats.

Variations to Personalize Peanut Butter Balls

• Nutty Holiday Clusters: Replace rice cereal with crushed pretzels for a salty crunch and add a sprinkle of sea salt on top after chocolate coating.
• Festive Almond Joy Balls: Mix shredded coconut into the peanut butter mixture and use dark chocolate for coating, then garnish with toasted almond slivers.
• Mint Chocolate Truffles: Incorporate peppermint extract into the peanut butter mixture and use white chocolate for coating, then dust with crushed candy canes.
• Caramel Swirl Bombs: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce over the chocolate-coated balls and sprinkle with chopped pecans for extra texture and holiday flair.

Pairing Ideas for Christmas Peanut Butter Balls

• Complement with Hot Cocoa: Rich, creamy hot chocolate enhances the chocolate coating and complements the sweet-nutty flavor of the peanut butter balls.
• Match with Spiced Chai Latte: Warm, aromatic chai tea balances the sweetness and adds a festive holiday touch to these indulgent treats.
• Serve alongside Christmas Sugar Cookies: Create a delightful dessert platter with these two classic holiday sweets that share a similar texture and festive spirit.
• Enjoy with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Creamy, cold vanilla ice cream provides a cool contrast to the rich, chocolatey peanut butter balls.

Storage Advice for Peanut Butter Balls

• Place Christmas Peanut Butter Balls in an airtight container, separating layers with wax paper. Keep chilled for up to 2 weeks, maintaining their delicious texture and flavor.
• Wrap individual balls in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring a longer-lasting sweet treat.
• Remove frozen peanut butter balls from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Enjoy their creamy chocolate coating and soft center.
• Gently warm refrigerated or thawed balls in the microwave for 5-10 seconds to restore their original softness and enhance the chocolate's glossy appearance.

FAQs About Christmas Peanut Butter Balls

• Are these peanut butter balls difficult to make?

No, they’re super easy! Just mix, roll, and dip. Even beginners can make these delicious treats quickly.

• Can I use different types of chocolate for coating?

Absolutely! You can use milk, dark, or white chocolate. Just make sure to melt it gently and smoothly.

• How long do these Christmas peanut butter balls stay fresh?

They’ll keep well in an airtight container for about a week at room temperature or up to two weeks in the refrigerator.

• Do I need any special equipment to make these?

Not really. You just need a mixing bowl, baking sheet, wax paper, and a microwave-safe bowl for melting chocolate.

Christmas Peanut Butter Balls Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 36 1x

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Description

Sweet holiday magic unfolds with Christmas Peanut Butter Balls, a delightful treat blending creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate. Festive gatherings shine brighter with these irresistible no-bake confections you’ll treasure and share with loved ones.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups crispy rice cereal
• 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar

Binding Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened

Coating Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly blend peanut butter, softened butter, powdered sugar, and crispy rice cereal in a spacious mixing bowl until the ingredients form a cohesive, uniform mixture.
2. Carefully craft small, uniform spheres from the combined mixture, gently positioning each ball onto a wax paper-covered baking sheet.
3. Utilize a microwave-safe container to gradually melt chocolate chips and vegetable shortening, stirring at 30-second intervals until achieving a silky, glossy consistency.
4. Delicately immerse each peanut butter sphere into the liquefied chocolate, ensuring complete and even coverage.
5. Return the chocolate-enrobed spheres to the wax paper, allowing them to solidify naturally at room temperature or expedite the process by chilling in the refrigerator until the chocolate sets completely.

Notes

• Chill the mixture before shaping to prevent sticky hands and ensure easier ball formation.
• Use a cookie scoop or melon baller for uniform, perfectly sized peanut butter balls.
• Opt for natural peanut butter with less sugar to control sweetness and create a healthier version.
• Sprinkle crushed candy canes or festive sprinkles on melted chocolate for a Christmas touch and extra crunch.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 36
• Calories: 152
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 35 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 8 mg