If you’re a fan of Reese’s peanut butter cups, you’re going to adore these Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls. They offer the perfect ratio of creamy peanut butter filling to rich chocolate coating, satisfying even the most intense PB cravings. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make with just 5 simple ingredients and no baking required!
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These beautiful treats are perfect for serving at parties, giving as thoughtful homemade gifts, or sharing with your family during the holidays or any special occasion. But be warned – they’re so addictive, you might want to make a double batch!
Why This Recipe Works
These chocolate peanut butter balls succeed because they achieve the perfect balance of textures and flavors. The combination of peanut butter, powdered sugar, and butter creates a smooth, moldable center that holds its shape when chilled. The chocolate coating provides the perfect contrast to the creamy interior, while the simple ingredient list ensures that the peanut butter flavor really shines through. The no-bake method makes these accessible to bakers of all skill levels.
Ingredients
- Creamy peanut butter – Forms the rich, smooth base for the candy centers
- Powdered sugar – Sweetens and helps bind the mixture to a perfect consistency
- Butter – Adds richness and helps create a smooth, moldable texture
- Chocolate chips – Provide the classic chocolate coating that everyone loves
- Shortening – Creates smooth, professional-looking chocolate coating that sets properly
How to Make Peanut Butter Balls
- Mix peanut butter, powdered sugar, and butter.
- Form into balls. Chill the peanut butter balls for a few hours to set.
- Melt chocolate chips and shortening until smooth.
- Dip balls into chocolate.
- Allow the chocolate coating to cool and set.
Chef’s Notes
The key to success is using stabilized peanut butter brands and not overmixing the base. Natural peanut butters without stabilizers can create greasy balls. The freezing step is crucial for maintaining shape during dipping.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week for best texture and freshness.
- Counter Storage: Keep at room temperature for up to 3 days if consumed quickly. Best texture when slightly chilled.
- Freezing: Freeze in sealed bags for up to 2 months. No need to thaw before eating, as they’re delicious frozen.
Tips For Making and Storing Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
Perfect Texture Tips:
- Take balls out of the freezer 10 minutes before dipping for easier handling
- Use a fork to dip and tap gently to remove excess chocolate
- Work in small batches to prevent the chocolate from cooling too much
Storage Success:
- Layer wax paper in containers to prevent sticking
- Store in a cool, dry place away from strong odors
- Bring to room temperature for the softest texture
Love chocolate? Try these recipes
- Cracker Barrel Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake
- Chocolate and Pistachio Cake
- Chewy Chocolate Crinkles
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Fondue
- How to Dip Oreos in White Chocolate
- Williams Sonoma Chocolate Bark
- Homemade Fudge with Walnuts
Best Peanut Butter Recipes
Check out more of my easy homemade candy and the best Christmas recipes.
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls – Easy, Rich & Creamy
Ingredients
- 24 ounces powdered sugar
- 3 cups smooth peanut butter
- 1/2 pound butter softened to room temperature
- 10 ounces chocolate chips
- 1/4 tablespoon shortening or coconut oil
Instructions
- Combine the powdered sugar, peanut butter, and butter in a large mixing bowl. Mix by hand until creamy.
- Shape the mixture into small balls and chill.
- Melt the chocolate chips and shortening over boiling water in a double boiler.
- Dip the peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate using a toothpick. Place them on waxed paper.
- Once the chocolate has hardened, refrigerate in an airtight container.
My kids loved these, they taste like Reese’s peanut butter cups!
I have been making these for over 40 years…and I got the recipe from my mother and aunt. These taste great and are a big favorite among our family and friends.
Tip: it doesn’t take much parafin wax, only about a 1-2 inch square chopped off the wax block. I add more if chocolate starts to get too thick or as I add additional chocolate chips. I sometimes double dip the peanut butter balls in the chocolate.
**to fill the toothpick holes from dipping the balls I use a teaspoon and dip it in the chocolate and put little curls or blobs where the toothpick hole was. The curly tip is similar to the tip of a an ice cream cone from Dairy Queen. Practice and you will get your get your technique down.
Hi, our powdered sugar does not come in boxes here in NB, Canada, only bags. How many grams or measurement can you give me to get this right? Thank you!
A box is 16 ounces of powdered sugar.
helloo ,, vre do i get paraffin from
Hi Babar Jan. Paraffin can be found in any grocery store or the grocery section of places like WalMart. Look in the baking aisles or home canning section.
helloo ,, vre do i get paraffin from
I’m new to the cooking world so forgive me for this stupid question but…what do you mean by cooking something “over boiling water”??
It means using a double boiler. You could also heat the chocolate in a microwave.
Thanks! Cant wait to give these a try!!
Hi jma2008. ‘over boiling water’ means you need two pots, or a double boiler (which is a pot that sits atop another pot). You put water in the bottom pot & bring it to boiling, then set the second pot (with the chocolate or whatever you are cooking or melting) on top of the bottom pot. This melts the chocolate or cooks the item (such as custard) without burning it. I don’t recommend using a microwave because it tends to heat the food too fast which ruins it.
These are even better with crushed oreos!
Are you going to offer a recipie box in the future? I have so many recipies I would like to try.
I will see what I an do about this going forward.
Stephanie