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!