Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls

EASIEST candy-like treats to make?   COULD BE!


The addition of Rice Krispies makes 
these lighter and more crunchy 
than some other recipes 
for Peanut Butter Balls.

INGREDIENTS:  (This recipe makes close to 100 "candies"-- if they are small.)
  • 3/4 cup butter (this is 1 and 1/2 sticks)
  • 2 cups chunky peanut butter (this equals a 16-oz. jar)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla.
  • 1 pound of powdered sugar.
  • 3 cups Rice Krispies cereal (some people crush it a little bit before adding, but I did not).
CHOCOLATE DIP:
  • 2 ounces shortening (you could substitute 2 oz. paraffin wax for this, but I did not).
  • 1 of 24 ounce bag of chocolate chips (semi-sweet chocolate OR milk chocolate OR a combination of both).
  • Decorative sprinkles, optional.
DIRECTIONS:
  • Melt butter and, while hot, stir in the chunky peanut butter.
  • Mix well.
  • Add vanilla, powdered sugar and Rice Krispies.
  • Work in with hands until it will form small balls (balls that are about 1" in diameter).
  • NOTE:  If the mixture seems too dry, even like in the photo below, it will still be okay. Just gather it up, give it a squeeze or two and work into "ball shape".  Continue on with the rest of the directions...
  • Chill the shaped balls on waxed or parchment paper for about thirty minutes so that they are easier to handle when dipping.  (In the cold months, our winter-cold porch makes this so quick 'n easy.)
  • Add the 2 oz. of shortening to a microwave-safe bowl with the chocolate chips.
  • Microwave for only one minute at a time-- stirring in between.  DO NOT let these BURN!
  • When totally melted and smooth, you are ready to start dipping.
  • Stick a long very thin wooden skewer into the side of a chilled peanut butter ball and roll in the chocolate, or spoon the chocolate over the ball with a spoon.
  • Let excess chocolate drip off before placing them back onto the waxed paper.  (If you want any sprinkles on top, do it immediately while the chocolate is soft.)
  • Set aside until chocolate coating hardens...  
  • I don't know if it's necessary or not, but I store them in the refrigerator until about 30 minutes before serving.  
Next time, I am going to use a very small
"cookie scoop" when making these-- that way,
the balls will be more uniform in size.
(It's all about the "looks", you know! ☺ ) 

If you just want to send a little "thank you"
to someone for no special reason, sprinkle
little "♥" decorations on their tops... like this:
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
The End!

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