Peanut Butter Balls

This recipe has been a popular one on cooking blogs lately and for good reason. They are super easy to make and taste amazingly delicious. I got my recipe from Six Sisters Stuff.

I did make some changes. I used less powdered sugar and added 1/8 tsp salt because I felt the mixture was too sweet. I used crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth and dipping chocolate instead of chocolate chips.

For dipping chocolate, I go to a local candy store and buy bags of the candy making chocolate in dark and white. I believe Michael's (craft store) sells it too. You can experiment and decide which type of chocolate you like best. Guittard is my favorite. 

Some tips for dipping: A toothpick is a great tool for this. After you dip, you can gently shake excess chocolate off and then slowly twist the toothpick out while setting the candy on wax paper. Use the side of the toothpick to smooth over the hole. Decorations on the top always look good. For these I used crushed peanuts. Also, to keep the chocolate smooth enough for dipping, you can put your dipping bowl on a heating pad set to low or medium. Works great! 

Peanut Butter Balls

1 (16 oz) jar of peanut butter (crunchy or smooth)
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
3-1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/8 tsp salt
Chocolate for dipping
Chopped peanuts for decoration

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients with a spoon or mixer.  Put the dough in the refrigerator for at least an hour but longer or overnight if necessary. Roll into 1" balls and set on wax paper.  

Melt enough chocolate to use for dipping.  I like to use the microwave and melt the chocolate in 30 second increments, stirring in between.  Using a toothpick, dip the balls into the chocolate and set on waxed paper to harden. The original recipe says to put them in the fridge but I did not need to do that. It's cold enough here to harden without that!  Do a few at a time and decorate top with chopped peanuts (or whatever you choose) before the chocolate hardens.

Store in the refrigerator.

Happy Baking!