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Peanut Butter Balls

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There are treats I only make at Christmas time and Peanut Butter Balls are one of them. Even though everyone loves to eat them, well, they are kind of a pain in the ass to make. This year, though, Hannah helped me and they worked up very quickly. I think this is probably a recipe that everyone has already since it’s an oldie (my mom made them when I was a kid and I think I’ve had them as part of Christmas for about 40 years now) but it’s also a goodie so I’m going to share it here.

Plus, it gives me an excuse to show you how I made them extra pretty this year.

peanut butter balls for carole knits

Peanut Butter Balls

3 cups Rice Krispies
3 1/2 cups of powdered sugar
2 cups of peanut butter
1 stick of melted butter.

Combine all of the above ingredients. I find the easiest way is to mix the cereal, powdered sugar and peanut butter together and then slowly add the melted butter. I do all of this in my stand mixer and it goes together pretty quickly – plus the mixer crushes the cereal a bit and that’s a good thing.

Once the ingredients are all mixed then form the mixture into small balls. I use my smallest scoop, I think it’s a teaspoon size, to make the balls quickly and then I roll them with my hands to make them smooth.

Melt 2 cups (or more if necessary) of chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler. I also thin the chocolate with a bit of shortening to make it more . . . dippable. And yes, that is so a word. Dip each peanut butter ball completely in the chocolate and put on a waxed paper lined baking sheet to set up.

Once the chocolate has set you can melt some white chocolate and then drizzle it over the top. I did this by putting it in a small sandwich bag and then making a teeny tiny snip in one corner. Then I just went back and forth over the rows with the white chocolate and then I sprinkled them with green sugar. This little extra effort really makes them look Christmas-y and special for the season.

Enjoy!

This Post Has 15 Comments

  1. YUM! I have a friend who makes some for me every year, so I’ve never actually made them myself. . . Yours are lovely!

  2. Oh, yum! Haven’t had these in ages, but remember them fondly. And yours are extra pretty. They got consumed so fast decorating them never happened when I was a kid.

  3. I haven’t made these in years either! (But I did make your sugar cookies last night!) Could be on the list for the weekend, thanks Carole!

  4. Ummm-mmmm! We have a similar recipe, although no peanut butter and oatmeal instead of rice krispies, that we call Gorilla Noses. (They had an original name that was very rude.) I guess they’re not so similar after all! People do seem to love peanut butter and chocolate together, while there is an aversion to oatmeal, so perhaps we’ll give your recipe a try.

  5. My MIL has always made the peanut butter balls (same recipe) but she’s gone now. I decided to surprise my husband with a batch. The dipping part was a major pain in the patootie, so next time I will try your hint of putting in a little shortening. Thanks! I guess it’s also time to invest in a double boiler. You can tell I’m not much of a baker! Right now I’m carmelizing onions…..not much good in a cookie recipe. Happy Holidays.

  6. Okay, I am wierd. I love chocolate. i love peanut butter. However, the two together…not so much. Anyway, your Peanut Butter Balls are beautiful!

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