Description
Irresistible no-bake peanut butter balls combine creamy richness with sweet chocolate coating for a quick dessert delight. Crunchy, smooth morsels deliver pure indulgence that will satisfy intense snack cravings in mere minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 grams / 8.5 ounces) creamy peanut butter
- 1 ½ cups (180 grams / 6.3 ounces) crushed graham crackers or crushed pretzels
- 1 ½ cups (270 grams / 9.5 ounces) semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
Binding and Sweetening Ingredients:
- 1 cup (120 grams / 4.2 ounces) powdered sugar
- ¼ cup (60 grams / 2.1 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
Optional Coating Ingredient:
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or shortening (for smoother coating)
Instructions
- Combine creamy peanut butter, softened butter, and powdered sugar in a spacious mixing bowl. Blend until the mixture achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
- Incorporate crushed graham crackers or pretzels into the peanut butter mixture. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are completely integrated, creating a dense, moldable texture.
- Test the mixture’s firmness. If too soft, introduce additional crushed crackers or briefly chill in the refrigerator to enhance structural integrity.
- Carefully shape the mixture into compact, uniform spheres approximately one inch in diameter. Arrange the formed balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Transfer the baking sheet to the refrigerator and allow the peanut butter spheres to firm up for a minimum of 30 minutes.
- Prepare the chocolate coating by gently melting chocolate chips with coconut oil in a microwave-safe vessel. Execute this process in short intervals, stirring between each to prevent scorching.
- Employ a fork or toothpick to delicately immerse each peanut butter sphere into the molten chocolate. Permit excess chocolate to cascade off, ensuring an even, elegant coating.
- Return the chocolate-enrobed spheres to the parchment-lined sheet. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes until the chocolate shell solidifies completely.
- Once set, transfer the confections to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for optimal preservation and enjoyment.
Notes
- Experiment with different types of nut butter like almond or cashew for unique flavor variations and to accommodate nut allergies.
- Use gluten-free graham crackers or crushed rice cereal to make the recipe completely gluten-free and accessible for those with dietary restrictions.
- Chill the mixture for 15-20 minutes before rolling if the consistency feels too soft, ensuring easier ball formation and preventing sticky hands during preparation.
- For a healthier twist, swap milk chocolate with dark chocolate or use sugar-free chocolate chips to reduce overall sugar content and add antioxidant benefits.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 229
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 98mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg