Indulge in the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter with these delightful treats. These chocolate peanut butter balls are easy to make and are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Perfect for parties, gifts, or just a delicious snack, they are a crowd-pleaser that everyone will love.
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are common pantry staples. However, you might need to pick up some semi-sweet chocolate chips and shortening if you don't already have them at home. Shortening helps to create a smooth and glossy coating for the chocolate, ensuring that the peanut butter balls look as good as they taste.
Ingredients for Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
Peanut butter: Creamy and rich, this is the base for the filling.
Butter: Softened to blend smoothly with the peanut butter.
Vanilla extract: Adds a hint of vanilla flavor to the mixture.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and helps to bind the filling together.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melted to create the chocolate coating.
Shortening: Mixed with the chocolate to ensure a smooth and glossy finish.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When melting chocolate chips and shortening together, use a double boiler instead of a microwave for more control over the heat. This method helps prevent the chocolate from seizing and ensures a smooth, glossy finish for your chocolate peanut butter balls.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
peanut butter - Substitute with almond butter: Almond butter has a similar creamy texture and nutty flavor, making it a great alternative for those with peanut allergies.
peanut butter - Substitute with sunflower seed butter: This is a good nut-free option that still provides a rich, creamy consistency.
softened butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can mimic the texture and richness of butter, and it adds a subtle coconut flavor.
softened butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine can be used as a direct replacement for butter, providing a similar texture and taste.
vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract offers a different but complementary flavor profile that can enhance the overall taste.
vanilla extract - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup adds a natural sweetness and a hint of maple flavor, which can be a delightful twist.
powdered sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar can be ground into a fine powder to mimic the texture of powdered sugar and adds a slight caramel flavor.
powdered sugar - Substitute with stevia: Stevia is a low-calorie sweetener that can be used in smaller quantities to achieve the desired sweetness.
semi-sweet chocolate chips - Substitute with dark chocolate chips: Dark chocolate chips provide a richer, more intense chocolate flavor and are often less sweet.
semi-sweet chocolate chips - Substitute with milk chocolate chips: Milk chocolate chips offer a creamier and sweeter alternative to semi-sweet chocolate.
shortening - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can replicate the texture and consistency of shortening while adding a slight coconut flavor.
shortening - Substitute with butter: Butter can be used as a direct replacement for shortening, providing a similar texture and a richer flavor.
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How to Store / Freeze These Treats
To keep your chocolate peanut butter balls fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container. This will prevent them from absorbing any unwanted odors or moisture from the fridge.
If you plan to enjoy them within a week, place the container in the refrigerator. The cool temperature will help maintain their shape and texture.
For longer storage, you can freeze the chocolate peanut butter balls. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. This step ensures they won't stick together.
Once frozen, transfer the balls to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label it with the date so you can keep track of their freshness.
When you're ready to indulge, simply take out the desired number of chocolate peanut butter balls and let them thaw in the refrigerator for a few hours or at room temperature for about 20 minutes.
To prevent any condensation from forming on the chocolate coating, avoid thawing them in a warm environment. This will help maintain their glossy finish and prevent any unwanted moisture.
If you prefer a softer texture, you can enjoy them straight from the refrigerator. For a firmer bite, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before savoring.
Remember, these delightful treats are best enjoyed within three months of freezing to ensure optimal flavor and texture.
How to Reheat Leftovers
- For a quick and easy method, place the chocolate peanut butter balls on a microwave-safe plate. Heat them in the microwave at 50% power for about 10-15 seconds. This will soften the chocolate slightly without melting it completely.
- If you prefer a more controlled approach, use a double boiler. Fill the bottom pot with water and bring it to a simmer. Place the chocolate peanut butter balls in the top pot and gently heat them, stirring occasionally until they reach your desired softness.
- For a gentle reheating method, preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C). Place the chocolate peanut butter balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and warm them in the oven for about 5 minutes. This will soften the chocolate without causing it to melt completely.
- If you have an air fryer, set it to 300°F (150°C) and place the chocolate peanut butter balls in the basket. Heat them for 2-3 minutes, checking frequently to ensure they don't overheat. This method will give you a slightly crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft.
- For a more traditional approach, you can use a toaster oven. Set it to a low temperature, around 200°F (93°C), and place the chocolate peanut butter balls on a tray. Heat them for about 5 minutes, monitoring closely to prevent the chocolate from melting too much.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Mixing bowl: A large bowl used to combine the peanut butter, softened butter, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar until smooth.
Electric mixer: Useful for thoroughly mixing the peanut butter, butter, and vanilla extract, and for gradually incorporating the powdered sugar.
Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring the peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, and chocolate chips.
Measuring spoons: Needed to measure the vanilla extract and shortening precisely.
Baking sheet: A flat sheet used to place the shaped peanut butter balls on for chilling.
Parchment paper: Lining the baking sheet to prevent the peanut butter balls from sticking.
Microwave-safe bowl: Used to melt the chocolate chips and shortening together in the microwave.
Spoon: Handy for stirring the melted chocolate and shortening until smooth.
Fork: Useful for dipping the chilled peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate.
Refrigerator: Needed to chill the peanut butter balls and to set the chocolate coating.
Spatula: Helpful for scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl to ensure all ingredients are well combined.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Prepare ingredients ahead: Measure out the peanut butter, butter, and powdered sugar in advance to streamline the mixing process.
Use a cookie scoop: A cookie scoop ensures uniform peanut butter balls and speeds up the shaping process.
Microwave chocolate: Melting chocolate chips and shortening in the microwave saves time compared to a double boiler.
Chill quickly: Place the baking sheet in the freezer instead of the refrigerator to reduce chilling time.
Line up parchment paper: Prepare extra sheets of parchment paper to quickly transfer dipped balls without waiting for them to set.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup Peanut Butter
- ½ cup Butter softened
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 3 cups Powdered Sugar
- 2 cups Chocolate Chips semi-sweet
- 2 tablespoons Shortening
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, softened butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until well combined.
- Shape mixture into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and shortening together, stirring until smooth.
- Dip chilled peanut butter balls into melted chocolate, then place back on parchment paper to set.
- Refrigerate until chocolate is firm. Enjoy!
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Main Courses
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