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buckeye balls or peanut butter balls in a christmas gift box
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4 from 4 votes

Peanut Butter Balls

These Peanut Butter Balls, or as many call them, Buckeye Balls, are everyone's favorite.  They are a sweet treat, loaded with peanut butter, a little crunch,  and covered in smooth milk chocolate.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cooling30 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 36 people
Calories: 265kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Butter, room tempreture
  • 2 Cup Peanut Butter, creamy or Crunchy, both work great
  • 2 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
  • 4 cups Powdered Sugar
  • ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1 lb Chocolate to Dip the Peanut Butter Balls

Instructions

  • In the bowl of an electric mixer, a  kitchen aid works great. Cream together the butter and peanut butter. Beat the room temperature butter and peanut butter together until the mixture is light and fluffy. 
  • Crush up your graham crackers. The easiest way is to just throw them in a ziplock bag and crush them with a cup or rolling pin. You can also grate your graham crackers or pulse them in a food processor. I like a little crunch in there so I prefer them to have a little texture, You can do whatever fits your preference.
  • Next, you are going to add the graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and vanilla and mix it again. 
  • Your peanut butter mixture should be crumbly but hold it's shape if you squeeze it in the palm of your hand. 
  • Use butter or non-stick cooking spray to coat your hands.  Roll the peanut butter mixture into 1" or bite-sized balls.  There should be at least 24 balls. 
  • Place the peanut butter balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Set in the fridge until you are ready to dip the peanut butter balls in chocolate.

Melting Chocolate

  • You can melt the chocolate in the microwave.  If you're using a large baker bar of chocolate, chop 1 pound of chocolate into ½" pieces.  Place the chocolate into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 1 minute.  Take the chocolate out of the microwave and stir. Microwave again for 30 second and stir between heating cycles. 
  • Don't rely on the shape of the chocolate to tell if it's melted.  If the chocolate isn't stirred, it will retain it's shape and possibly scorch. Be sure to stir between heating it in the microwave.  Heat until the chocolate is almost melted.  Keep stirring, the chocolate melts the rest of the way because of the heat from the melted chocolate and the heat from the bowl. 
  • Remove the peanut butter balls from the fridge and using a fork, dip the peanut butter balls in the chocolate. Using the fork, shake the ball a little to remove any excess chocolate.  Scrape the fork on the edge of the bowl to remove more excess chocolate.  
  • Place the chocolate dipped peanut butter ball on the parchment paper and set in the fridge or cool place until the chocolate is set.  Store in a covered Tupperware container in a cool place.  It can be kept for up to a couple weeks. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 265kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 143mg | Potassium: 139mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 160IU | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 0.8mg