Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls Candy is scrumptious. They taste a lot like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Anyone who likes peanut butter and chocolate is sure to love them.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls Candy (So Tasty!)
Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls Candy
Did you know that November 4 is National Candy Day? I think that's strange since we just finished Halloween trick or treating with all that candy. But I do love candy, and the holidays are right around the corner. So I'm reposting one of my favorite candies, Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls. Don asks me to make these Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls every year. Now I know why! I think this is, by far, my favorite Christmas candy. They taste a lot like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (affiliate link), which everyone loves, right?
This recipe comes from Don's mom's recipe box and is attributed to Chloe Tarter (or "Momma Chloe" as Don called her). We have a couple of pieces of artwork in our house that Momma Chloe painted, too. She must have been a talented artist in more ways than one.
Optional Ingredient
Now don't get wigged out when you read the Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls recipe. It calls for one block of paraffin (optional). Yup. That's right. Wax. You find it in the canning supplies at the grocery store. It is tasteless, odorless and edible (though nondigestible, passing right through your body). It is often added to candy to provide a shiny coat to it. Read the labels of your candy bars. I bet they include paraffin.
If you want to leave it out, that's fine. Your candy will be delicious (but less shiny) without it. And it will melt a little easier. I included it in my first batch of Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls (but not in the second batch), and it does make the candy look appealing. See the difference here (the shiny version obviously has the paraffin in it):
Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls. The one on the left included the optional paraffin. (See how it's shinier?) The two on the right did not include the wax.
Extra Peanut Butter Makes It Creamy
I made these Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls twice, and I liked them SO much better the second time. With the original recipe, they are super sweet. It called for only 1 cup of peanut butter and 1 & ½ cups of powdered sugar. In my revised recipe, they are creamier, more like the Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. After taste testing the recipe (see comments by my neighbor), since everyone liked the version I made better, I am only giving you that recipe, but if you want it sweeter, cut down on the peanut butter and add a little more powdered sugar. Also, I personally like them better with dark chocolate rather than semi-sweet. You decide.
I like them shaped smaller, as a ball instead of molded in a paper candy wrapper. The larger "small cupcake" size was far too rich for me. I feel so much better eating two small balls than one big piece of candy, don't you? Ha ha ha.
However, the ones in the candy papers are MUCH easier to make.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls on the left. Chocolate Cherry Squares Cookies (Gluten Free) on the right. Yum!
What You Need
You need an electric mixer, mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, and a cookie sheet. Candy molds or papers are helpful, too.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls Candy Recipe
Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls Candy
Ingredients
- 2 cups creamy Peanut Butter
- ½ pound butter 2 sticks, room temperature
- 1¼ cups Powdered Confectioner's Sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 block Gulf Wax Household Paraffin Wax optional
- 20 ounces Nestle Toll House Dark Chocolate Morsels or Semi-Sweet
Instructions
Mix
- Cream the butter and peanut butter.
- Add the vanilla.
- Add the powdered sugar a little at a time, incorporating it until it is thoroughly mixed and the mixture is fluffy.
- Pinch off a little dough and roll it into 1" balls (or smaller, if you prefer).
Dip (Option 1)
- Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave. The time varies, depending on your microwave. Start with 30 seconds. Stir. Repeat until the chocolate is melted. Be careful, as chocolate burns easily in the microwave and you cannot see that it is melted or burning until too late!
- Drop the balls a few at a time into the chocolate mixture. Dip them out with a teaspoon, trying not to get extra chocolate dripping around them. (Or stick a toothpick into the ball and dip the ball into the chocolate.)
- Cool the balls on a sheet of wax paper.
- Or, you can use mini cupcake papers instead of the dipping method. Pour some chocolate into the cupcake paper. Drop in a ball of dough and pour some more chocolate over the top, similar to the way Reese's Peanut Butter Cups look. (This way is MUCH easier.)
Dip (Option 2, for a Shinier Candy)
- If using, melt the paraffin either in a double boiler over boiling water or in a bowl in the microwave. For the microwave, it takes about 3-4 minutes, but watch it and take it out as soon as it is melted.
- Add the chocolate chips to the paraffin and melt them, watching the mixture carefully and stirring to combine.
- Drop the balls a few at a time into the chocolate mixture. Dip them out with a teaspoon, trying not to get extra chocolate dripping around them. Or use a toothpick as described above.
- Cool the balls on a sheet of wax paper.
- Or, you can use mini cupcake papers instead of the dipping method. Pour some chocolate into the cupcake paper. Drop in a ball of dough and pour some more chocolate over the top, similar to the way Reese's Peanut Butter Cups look. (This way is MUCH easier.)
- Let the candies cool until set.
Nutrition
Recipe Nutrition Information
This recipe is GF, SF, EF, CF, V, VG*
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls Candy (no paraffin) Nutrition Label. Each serving is one 1" piece of candy.
Nourish Your Body & Soul
I encourage you to care of yourself by eating satisfying, nourishing food that is good for your body and makes you feel healthy. Protect your spirit by living authentically, moving your body, and taking time to replenish and rest. I think you might also like these recipes & posts from Recipe Idea Shop:
- Chocolate Fudge
- Heavenly Hash
- Walnut Joy Candy
- Chocolate Cherry Squares Cookies (Candy)
- Don's Homemade Caramels
- Easy Chocolate Toffee Candy
- Donna's Sea Foam
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OMG. Now you can make peanut butter balls at home! #RecipeIdeaShop
Kathy acquired the blog, Recipe Idea Shop in 2024. She was raised on a farm in Arkansas where having a big garden and good food to eat was the norm. She shares recipes for homemade comfort food and new trending dishes.
Kathy began her blogging journey in 2011 when she founded PetticoatJunktion.com, a home décor blog focused on repurposing and upcycling furniture, and thrift store finds.