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A buddy passed this treat idea to me ages back, and man - these goodies are total treasures! Combine peanut butter with sugar and butter, sink in chocolate, and wham - they top anything from the store. My little ones claim they knock Reese's out of the park every time.
What Makes These Worth Your Time
It's such a cool project in the kitchen! My kiddos squabble over who gets to shape the balls and add the toppings. No need to deal with a hot oven, hardly any mess to clean, and you can whip them up days before any gatherings.
What You'll Need
- Creamy Peanut Butter: The smooth type works best.
- Powdered Sugar: It gives that velvety texture.
- Softened Butter: Remember to let it warm up first.
- Semi-sweet Chocolate: These chips melt perfectly.
- Smart Addition: A touch of coconut oil makes it gleam.
How To Make Them
- Blend Everything
- Put peanut butter, butter and sugar into your bowl. Stir until it feels like modeling clay. If it's too sticky, add more sugar. If it falls apart, put in another dollop of peanut butter.
- Shape Into Spheres
- This part's a hit with my children! Form small balls - about the size of a penny. Place them on wax paper then cool them down in your fridge.
- Prepare The Coating
- Heat chocolate carefully in short microwave bursts. Mix in that bit of coconut oil - it gives a lovely shine.
- Cover In Chocolate
- Lower each ball into the melted mix, lift out with a fork, and tap to remove extra. My little girl thinks they look like tiny worlds getting chocolate coats!
- Add Decorations
- Now's when you put on sprinkles if you want. We usually go overboard here!
Pro Secrets
Make sure those balls stay chilled - you'll thank me later. Want extra texture? Mix in some smashed pretzels or cereal. During the holidays, we go all out with festive colored sprinkles. And don't worry if they're not perfect rounds - they'll vanish just as quickly!
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Keep Them Fresh
I often tuck some away in the freezer - they're handy when unexpected visitors come by. They'll keep in the fridge for about two weeks, but at our place they never last beyond the third day! Just put wax paper between layers so they won't stick together.
Perfect For Giving
Put these in a pretty container and you've got an amazing present. Everyone thinks they came from a pricey sweet shop - I never spill how simple they are to create! My next-door neighbor keeps dropping hints for more, and my mother saves them as her special after-dinner reward.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can crunchy peanut butter be replaced with smooth?
Creamy peanut butter makes it smoother, but if you like some crunch, crunchy peanut butter works fine. Just make sure to compact the balls firmly when molding them.
- → Why is it important to chill the balls?
Cooling the mixture helps solidify it, making it simpler to form balls and dip them into chocolate without them crumbling apart.
- → What’s the shelf life of these peanut butter balls?
Keep them refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks. If you freeze them, they’re good for about 3 months.
- → Can milk chocolate replace semi-sweet chocolate?
Absolutely, go with any type of chocolate you enjoy—milk, dark, or semi-sweet all taste amazing as a coating.
- → What’s the purpose of adding shortening or coconut oil to the chocolate?
Adding a small amount of oil thins out the chocolate, which makes dipping the balls easier while also giving you a smoother finish.