No Bake Peanut Butter Balls are an old fashioned treat that is easy-to-make and perfect for the holiday season. With only 5 ingredients, this easy peanut butter balls recipe will quickly become a Christmas family tradition.
The combination of the peanut butter filling and the chocolate candy coating makes this no bake candy the perfect addition to Christmas cookie and treat platters.
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These peanut butter balls are also known as buckeyes, a no-bake treat recipe with a creamy peanut butter filling and a smooth chocolate coating.
These chocolate-covered peanut butter balls are perfect for Christmas, as this recipe makes roughly 38 of them! They're perfect to add to any Christmas treat platter and they look great next to cookies such as these Christmas Cookie Butter Cookies, a festive holiday cookie with lots of color great for cookie exchanges!
Ingredients in Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Balls
As you can see, it only takes simple ingredients to make this classic dessert, making it the perfect treat during the holidays.
- unsalted butter, melted
- powdered sugar
- creamy peanut butter
- semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
- shortening, to make the chocolate smooth and give it a nice shine. You can also use coconut oil.
How to Make No Bake Peanut Butter Balls
It's pretty straightforward how to make this peanut butter ball recipe. It's a good idea to gather everything you need before starting this recipe.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan and stir in the creamy peanut butter until smooth.
- Once the peanut butter is well-creamed into the butter, add the confectioners' sugar and remove from the heat. You can use an electric mixer for this step.
- Combine the mixture well and roll the peanut butter mixture into 1 inch balls. A small cookie scoop is ideal to get the same sized peanut butter balls.
- To start the dipping process, Use a double boiler and melt the chocolate chips over medium-low heat. You can also use a heatproof bowl and microwave the chocolate chips in intervals
- Add the shortening to the melted chocolate and mix well.
- Use a dipping tool or place a toothpick into the center of the balls and dip them into the melted chocolate one at a time.
- Shake off any excess chocolate drip and place the dipped ball on wax paper.
- Allow the chocolate to cool before putting them in a container.
- If desired, pour the remaining melted chocolate into a piping bottle and decorate the tops of the peanut butter balls.
What Tools Are Needed to Make Peanut Butter Balls
- A double boiler is ideal for the dipping process but a heatproof bowl and a microwave are another way to melt the chocolate.
- Wax paper or parchment paper to set the peanut butter balls to allow them to harden.
- A hand mixer to cream together the peanut butter and powdered sugar together.
- A small saucepan to melt the peanut butter and unsalted butter together.
How to Store Peanut Butter Balls
You can store buckeye balls short term or long term depending on your preference.
To store these chocolate peanut butter balls for a short period of time, allow them to completely harden before placing them in an airtight container. This storage method will keep them fresh and flavorful for up to 1 week. You may also choose to store them in the refrigerator, it will keep them fresh for up to 2 weeks when stored properly.
To store peanut butter balls for a longer period of time, they can be frozen by placing the peanut butter balls in a labeled freezer-safe container. This is an excellent way to get ahead of your Christmas baking! This storage method will keep them fresh for 3 months.
Make sure to allow the frozen peanut butter balls to come to room temperature before enjoying.
FAQ's
What is the shelf life of homemade peanut butter balls?
The shelf life of peanut butter balls depends on the method of storage. When stored at room temperature, they will last for up to 1 week. In the refrigerator, they can last up to 2 weeks. The best storage option for long-term storage is in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How do you make a shiny chocolate coating?
Stirring in some vegetable shortening or coconut oil will create a smooth chocolate coating that will be shiny when it hardens.
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If you're looking for more delicious no bake treats, check out this Old Fashioned Potato Candy. It's a delicious depression era recipe that is also a Christmas classic.
📖 Recipe
Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Balls
Ingredients
- 2 sticks unsalted butter - melted
- 3 ¾ cups powdered sugar
- 16 ounce creamy peanut butter
- 11 ounce semisweet chocolate chips - melted
- 2 tablespoon shortening
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan and stir in the creamy peanut butter until smooth.
- Once the peanut butter is well-creamed into the butter using a hand mixer, add the confectioners' sugar and remove from the heat.
- Combine the mixture well and roll the peanut butter mixture into 1-inch balls. A small cookie scoop is ideal to easily do this.
- Set the balls aside on wax paper and allow them to cool.
- Use a double boiler and melt the chocolate chips over medium-low heat.
- Add the shortening (or coconut oil) to the melted chocolate and mix well.
- Use a dipping tool or place a toothpick into the center of the balls and dip them into the melted chocolate one at a time. Shake off any excess chocolate drip and place the dipped ball on wax paper.
- Allow the chocolate to cool before putting them in a container.
- If desired, pour the remaining melted chocolate into a piping bottle and decorate the tops of the peanut butter balls.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate based on third-party calculations. Actual values may vary due to ingredients, measurements, and serving sizes.
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Dana is the lead recipe developer and photographer for PopularRecipes.com. With her 10+ years of experience creating, testing, and photographing recipes, she has become an artist in developing wholesome, family-friendly meals that are a hit with both kids and parents.
Marie says
This is how my mom makes them. She’s been making them like this for over 40 years!
Ann says
Can you freeze the peanut butter balls?
Yes! They freeze beautifully, we do it every year!