Christmas Peanut Butter Balls

There's something magical about pulling out a tray of Christmas Peanut Butter Balls during the holidays. The smell of chocolate and peanut butter together? It brings everyone running to the kitchen.

I made my first batch of these no-bake treats when Bradley was 7, and let me tell you, they didn't last more than two days in our house. John kept sneaking them from the fridge when he thought I wasn't looking. Now it's become our December tradition - we make a double batch because we've learned one is never enough.

What I love most about this recipe is how simple it is. You need just 5 ingredients and about an hour from start to finish. No fancy equipment, no complicated steps. Just good old-fashioned peanut butter and chocolate coming together in the best way possible. Amy calls them "the easiest fancy candy ever," and she's not wrong.

These chocolate peanut butter balls are perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or gift-giving. I've been taking them to our neighborhood Christmas party for three years now, and people still ask me for the recipe every single time. If you're looking for something that tastes homemade but doesn't stress you out during the busy holiday season, this is it. Plus, you can make them ahead and keep them in the freezer, which is a total lifesaver when you've got a million things happening at once.

Speaking of easy holiday treats, if you love simple desserts that look impressive, you should check out my Rice Krispie Treats Recipe - another family favorite that comes together in minutes.

Jump to:

• Why You Will Like This Recipe
• Ingredients for Christmas Peanut Butter Balls
• How to Make Christmas Peanut Butter Balls
• Storage for Christmas Peanut Butter Balls
• Tips for Perfect Christmas Peanut Butter Balls
• Christmas Peanut Butter Balls FAQs
• Recipes You May Like
• Conclusion
• Christmas Peanut Butter Balls

Why You Will Like This Recipe

• Only 5 ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry
• No baking required - perfect when your oven is busy with everything else
• Ready in just 1 hour including chilling time
• Creamy peanut butter filling coated in smooth chocolate
• Kid-friendly and fun to make together as a family
• Stays fresh for up to 2 weeks in the fridge or 3-4 months frozen

Ingredients for Christmas Peanut Butter Balls

• 6 tablespoons salted butter, very soft
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (I use Skippy or Jif)
• 2 ¼ cups powdered sugar (also called confectioners' sugar)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 12 ounces milk chocolate (or semi-sweet chocolate), chopped

For the chocolate coating: I like using high-quality chocolate bars like Ghirardelli or Baker's. They melt beautifully and taste way better than regular chocolate chips. You can use chocolate chips if that's what you have, but you might need to add a teaspoon of melted coconut oil to get the right dipping consistency.

Optional toppings: Holiday sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or a drizzle of white chocolate

How to Make Christmas Peanut Butter Balls

Prepare the Peanut Butter Filling

1. Combine butter and peanut butter in a large bowl. Make sure your butter is really soft - I leave mine on the counter for about 30 minutes before starting. Stir them together until you don't see any butter lumps anymore. This takes maybe 2 minutes with a wooden spoon.
2. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt to the bowl. Here's where it gets a little messy. Start mixing with a spoon, but honestly, I usually end up using my hands because it's faster and more fun. Amy loves this part - she says it feels like making play dough.
3. Mix until thoroughly combined. The mixture should look smooth and hold together when you squeeze it. If it feels too dry, add another tablespoon of softened butter. Too sticky? Add a bit more powdered sugar.
4. Wrap the filling in plastic wrap and put it in the fridge for 30 minutes. This step is really important. I learned the hard way that if you skip it, the balls fall apart when you try to dip them in chocolate. Trust me on this one.

Shape and Chill

5. Scoop the chilled peanut butter mixture into small portions. I use a ½ ounce cookie scoop to keep them all the same size, but you can eyeball it too. Each scoop should be about the size of a walnut.
6. Roll each portion into a smooth ball between your palms. If the mixture gets too soft while you're working, pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes. I usually do about 6-8 at a time, then chill them before continuing.
7. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and chill for another 15 minutes. Cold peanut butter balls are easier to dip and the chocolate sets faster on them.

Dip in Chocolate

8. Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl at 50% power, stirring every 30 seconds. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes total. Don't rush this step - burnt chocolate is the worst and you can't fix it.
9. Dip each ball using a baby spoon, plastic fork, or a proper dipping tool if you have one. I like using a small spoon because it's easier to control. Drop the ball into the chocolate, roll it around to coat completely, then lift it out.
10. Tap the spoon gently against the side of the bowl. This gets rid of extra chocolate so you don't end up with a puddle at the bottom. Let the excess drip off for a few seconds.
11. Slide the ball onto a silicone mat or parchment paper. Use a toothpick to push it off the spoon if needed. Bradley figured out that if you slide it quickly, you get fewer chocolate "feet" at the bottom.
12. Add sprinkles immediately if you're using them. You've only got about 10-15 seconds before the chocolate starts to set. I usually dip 3-4 balls, then go back and add sprinkles, then dip 3-4 more.
13. Let the chocolate set at room temperature or in the fridge. Because the filling is cold, the chocolate hardens pretty quickly - usually within 10-15 minutes.

Storage for Christmas Peanut Butter Balls

These peanut butter balls are actually better after they've been stored for a day or two. The flavors come together and the texture gets even creamier.

Room temperature: Keep them in an airtight container for 2-3 days. I line the container with parchment paper between layers so they don't stick together.

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving so the chocolate isn't rock hard.

Freezer: These freeze beautifully for 3-4 months. I put them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. When I need them, I just pull out however many I want and let them thaw on the counter for about 20 minutes. John likes eating them straight from the freezer when he wants a cold treat.

Tips for Perfect Christmas Peanut Butter Balls

Use room temperature butter. Cold butter won't mix properly and you'll end up with lumps in your filling. I've made this mistake and spent way too long trying to smooth them out.

Don't skip the chilling steps. I know it's tempting to rush, but chilled peanut butter balls hold their shape so much better when dipping. The first time I made these, I didn't chill them long enough and ended up with flat, messy puddles instead of nice round balls.

Try crunchy peanut butter if you want extra texture. Amy prefers these made with crunchy peanut butter because she likes the little bits of peanuts throughout. Bradley still wants his smooth though, so sometimes I make half and half.

Add a tablespoon of honey to the filling for extra sweetness. My neighbor does this and they're amazing. The honey also makes the filling a little softer and easier to work with.

Use a double boiler if you're worried about burning the chocolate. I don't usually bother because the microwave works fine, but if you're new to melting chocolate, this is a safer method.

Drizzle with white chocolate for a fancier look. Melt 2-3 ounces of white chocolate and drizzle it over the tops with a fork. It makes them look really professional.

Make them mini for parties. Use a smaller cookie scoop and make bite-sized versions. They're perfect for setting out on a dessert table and people can grab a few without feeling too guilty.

Christmas Peanut Butter Balls FAQs

Recipes You May Like

• Pumpkin Oreo Balls - Another no-bake ball recipe that's perfect for fall but honestly good year-round
• Fudgy Peppermint Brownie Cookies - If you love chocolate and peppermint together during the holidays
• No Bake Pumpkin Truffles - Simple truffles that come together just like these peanut butter balls

Conclusion

These Christmas Peanut Butter Balls are one of my absolute favorite holiday treats to make. They're simple enough that Amy can help me roll the balls, but they taste fancy enough to give as gifts. Every year, I make at least three batches - one for us, one for John's office, and one for our Christmas party.

The best part? You can make them weeks ahead and keep them in the freezer. When December gets hectic and you need a homemade treat fast, just pull them out and let them thaw. Nobody will ever know you made them three weeks ago.

If you make these no bake peanut butter balls, I'd love to hear what you think! They've been a game-changer for our holiday baking, and I hope they become a tradition in your family too.

Don't forget to save this recipe to Pinterest so you can find it when you need it!

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