It’s really easy to get caught up in holiday madness. I found myself cursing the heavens when I couldn’t find a pair of scissors to cut a perfect bow I had created on a perfect wreath I had created to hang in my (good grief) totally imperfect, tiny apartment.
It’s easy to get caught up in the holiday fray of gift shopping, gift wrapping, re-gifting. Planning one party, hustling off to another, trying to incorporate cranberry into every meal from now until December 25th, and remembering not to tell any small children that Santa isn’t real… because he totally is. Totally real.
I have to remind myself that the holidays are, most importantly, that time of year when we (somehow) slow down long enough to make our homes smell like spruce trees, and gather round them… slow don’t long enough to mull our wine, make handmade gifts for people we love, and do all of those kooky family things we’ve done every year, at this time of year, since we can remember.
What makes the holiday really special are those small, kooky, forever-ago moments. The untraditional, strange, sometimes embarrassing, why-is-someone-always-burning-the-marshmallows-on-the-sweet-potato-casserole-moments that make the holidays feel like the holidays.
In my family:
• Tis the season when Grandma makes enchiladas for Christmas Eve dinner… with the fanciest paper plates and most festive paper napkins we can find.
• Tis the season when we fight over the best white elephant gift in the gift exchange, and someone tragically (not really) always ends up with a (very handy) pack of batteries.
• Tis the season for festive wine spritzers. Tis the season for embarrassing caroling around the neighborhood.
• Tis the season when we fight over who gets to / has to sit at the kid’s table. (Everyone always has more fun at the kid’s table… but let’s keep that on the down-low.)
• Tis the season for tins packed to the brim with Christmas sweets. My mom’s classic Peanut Butter Balls (you might call them Buck Eyes) are always the most coveted and the most delicious.
• Tis the season when I get to unpack the lifetime of JOY ornaments and Christmas keepsakes I’ve been given over the years. Tis the season when EVERYTHING HAS MY NAME ON IT (and I absolutely love it!). This Emerald porcelain Keepsake Ornament from Hallmark being my new treasured favorite.
What keeps you grounded during the holidays? What keeps you rooted in what is happy and real in the midst of holiday madness? Is it enchiladas and Peanut Butter Balls? I hope so.
This post in partnership with Hallmark and Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments #KEEPSAKEIT.
Let’s talk about these Peanut Butter Balls! I don’t want to delay this peanut butter and chocolate situation any longer.
In my family, we’ve made Peanut Butter Balls (a very technical term for this very technical dessert) since the beginning of time… or since my Mom got a hold of the recipes sometime in the early 1970’s.
They’re a simple mixture of peanut butter (I totally used the not all-natural peanut butter), softened butter, powdered sugar, and melted chocolate.
I’ve added pure vanilla extract and fancy sea salt because I can’t help myself, and more is more.
We always made this recipe by hand, on the tiny kitchen table, in the largest plastic bowl we had in the kitchen, with peanut butter up to our elbows and a fine powdered sugar dusting from the dining room, through the kitchen, all the way to the back bedroom.
We didn’t get snow in Los Angeles… we had to make it feel festive somehow.
When I made this batch as an adult, home in New Orleans, I reached for my largest bowl and prepared myself for the dirty elbows and powdered sugar parade. Halfway through mixing I had a EUREKA moment: a stand mixer!!! I have one of those!!!
Into the mixer we went.
The peanut butter, butter, and powdered sugar (with vanilla and salt bonuses) come together into a thick dough. Not dry, just thick.
I scooped out heaping tablespoons of dough, rolled the dough between my palms to create a compact peanut butter package. Onto a lined baking sheet and into the refrigerator to chill.
This cookie scoop works wonders for the initial scooping:
Chilling the balls will help make them be easier to handle when it comes time for dipping.
Dark chocolate (chips are great!) are melted in a double boiler. I added a tablespoon of coconut oil to the chocolate, helping it melt into a beautiful chocolate gloss, that hardens as it cools.
You can go for a full dip or a half dip. You decide!
Packed in festive tins, or gathered in little holiday bags… these peanut butter balls are an easy, happy, heartwarming way that I share tradition. They’re no-bake, so for sanity’s sake, we’re in business.
I hope you’re happy and well this holiday season. Doing all of those small, happy, quirky moments that make your holiday feel keepsake special!
xo!
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Mom’s Famous Peanut Butter Balls
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: about 3 dozen balls 1x
- Category: dessert, holiday
Description
Seven ingredients to heaven.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter (I used not the all-natural peanut butter)
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 6 cups powdered sugar (This is the amount of sugar my mom uses but truly you could use less – I’ve used 4 cups with success.)
- 18 ounces dark chocolate chunks (about 1 1/2 bags chocolate chips)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine peanut butter, butter, vanilla, salt, and half of the powdered sugar. You can also do this by hand with a wooden spoon and clean hands.
- Blend on low speed until the mixture begins to come together. Stop the mixer, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and add the remaining powdered sugar. Mix until thoroughly combined. The mixture will be very thick, but not dry. The powdered sugar should incorporate easily.
- Remove the bowl from the stand and use a small cookie scoop to scoop dough and roll peanut butter balls between your hands to make a tight, round ball. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight.
- In a heatproof bowl combine chocolate chunks and coconut oil. Place the bowl over a small pot of simmering water and let sit until chocolate begins to melt. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and reduce heat so the water is just at a low simmer.
- Remove the balls from the refrigerator and using your fingers, dip half of each ball into the melted chocolate, and return to the parchment lined sheet. Repeat until all balls are dipped and place in the refrigerator to chill and harden the chocolate.
- Keep peanut butter balls covered and stored in the refrigerator, or pack them in holiday tins and stored in the refrigerator for gifting. Peanut butter balls last up to 2 weeks if not longer covered well and cool.
61 Responses
Hi Joy, I know I’m a few years late on this one. Do you happen to remember the yield for this recipe? I’m going to a cookie party and need to make 4 dozen. These look like the perfect thing to bring! Thanks XO
In the middle of making this. After only using the initial 3 cups of powdered sugar it seemed so sweet I didn’t add the other 3 cups of sugar. The dough is not really balling, can’t roll it in my hands. Scoop working fine but wondering if the add’l sugar effects consistency? If you’re around would love your thoughts on this. Also I used fresh grind all natural peanut butter. Does that make a difference as well?
Anyone have a similar experience?
Thanks!!!!
How many days in advance can they be made in order to keep their awesome taste?
Thanks for the recipe!
They freeze very well, so they can be made several weeks in advance
As Lisa James explained, these are Buckeyes- named after the nut of the Buckeye tree. Please do not call them Buck Eyes, as they aren’t intended to resemble deer eyes! And, really, which sounds more appealing to you?! We’ve been making delicious peanut butter buckeyes in Ohio for decades. It’s strange to think that the rest of the nation is just now catching on!
These are delicious. Making more for New Years.
Super cute video!!I know what my PB/Choco loving Dad’s getting under the tree!! Merry Christmas, Joy!
Thank you for the recipe! Is there a good sub for the coconut oil? I’ve never bought that before and would like to avoid wasting the rest of the container for the one tablespoon. These look delicious!
Love these! Where did you get the batter bowl used in so many of your shots? I *heart* it!
Love these so much! What’s the bowl you use in all of your batter pics? I *heart* it.
https://www.keoughelectricco.com
Loving the photos. Beautiful picture dear. Great post!
Beautifully written! Love that you have so many “Joy” ornaments.
These were fun to make and super tasty although overwhelmingly sweet for me, which I guess Christmas cookies are supposed or at least entitled to be :-)
My one question is about the half dip. I tried to do half instead of full and mine came out really messy no matter how hard I tried. Any tips ?
I make these as well. They’re one of my signature treats. :) I do make them a little bit differently using the 1-2-3 recipe. 1 stick of butter, 2 cups of peanut butter (commercial, either smooth or chunky), 3 cups of Rice Krispies, 3 cups of powdered sugar. Then I dip them completely in melted Ghirardelli dark chocolate. Yum! Sprinkle a little glitter or a few jimmies on top and you’re good to go. :)
Enjoy the holidays, everyone!
Any idea how many (about) this makes? Trying to plan for gifts! Love these – my family used to make them every year.
Ha! I love that you included all of the ornaments and such that have your name on them! I’m a Christmas baby and my middle name is Hope (which was actually just a coincidence- it was my grandma’s middle name as well), so I understand completely! I also have a LOT of first Christmas ornaments, which my parents claim were all gifts (post-holiday clearance!).
This recipe So Special For me, my mum makes over the year, Peanut butter recipe why special because Our Family have on the Occasion of Christmas..
https://www.meenusmenu.com/gajar-ka-halwa-recipe-in-just-20-minutes/
You are adorable in that video! We’ll all be right over to dine on grandma’so enchiladas and mom’s peanut balls. Instant dinner party! And don’t forget the bad wine spritzer! Full of joy via Joy. :)
Your video is my favorite thing this Friday. As is the thought of all the peanut butter! :)
Joy, can’t wait to try these. Do you use bittwrsweet or semisweet for the chocolate? Thanks!
I used semi-sweet!
That was, slash, you are, adorable.
I had to see if these were what I thought they were. Yum. My family makes one that is very similar, but it uses rice krispies with the peanut butter mixture, and we coat the balls completely with chocolate. They have to be one of the most divine Christmas treats to eat.
I cannot BELIEVE your mom let you “let the cat out of the bag”!!!! I’ve asked and been told it’s a “secret” recipe!!! lol!!! Love you Joy. You’re one terrific human being!
These are perfect for my mom!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Joy, you’re absolutely the bomb on the video! So gorgeous and completely charming. Love all the family references, too. ???? Xo, Judy
Hey Joy! I’m with everyone above- your recipes are great, but your writing/humor/personality is what gets me every time. I wouldn’t mind it one bit if you wrote a book non-food related ;) I hate to ask this, but has anyone tried PB balls with Sunflower butter? My little homie is killing my christmas joy with his food allergy…
We made these growing up, too, but with rice krispies added!!!
These cookies are so design-savvy! Love the symmetrical look that makes them all look uniform. Pretty cool idea Joy! Oh and I’m sure nothing is as tiny as my apartment. Gift wrapping and figuring where to put my nicely wrapped gifts (which took awhile) is such a nuisance!
These are buckeyes that weren’t dipped far enough. I should know since I live in Columbus, Ohio and we take these things seriously.
I am so making these delicious little peanut butter balls and the perfect gift to deliver to the neighbors!! And perfect for the kiddos to make minus the double boiler situation which I will tend to. By the way, I always enjoy your Sunday post….thanks for keeping me in the know!! Have a wonderful weekend!
These look awesome! My mom has awesome (chocolate-PB) balls, too, but she mixes Rice Krispies in also for a nice crispy crunch. Also she uses semi-sweet chips, but I’m tempted to try these with dark…..
I love the video, so great, miss your podcasts too!
you’re so cute. I LOVE and MISS your face!
PB Balls were a Christmas staple at our house too. I have the same sand and bake wreath!
I love this little video – so cute! It’s also super awesome that the holidays are a time that you see your name in all places, that must feel so festive :) PB balls are my family’s favourite too, no Christmas is complete without them!
LOVE THIS SO MUCH!
Thanks for sharing!! I was reading the recipe and had a question about the peanut butter you used. You said “not the all natural peanut butter” so does that mean you used like Jif or something like that? Thank you and happy holidays, Joy!
I’m not sure what you mean by “like Jif or something like that”; Jif sells both regular and natural peanut butter. But if you look at the picture of the ingredients in the bowl before mixing, you can see that it’s much too smooth and creamy to be natural peanut butter. Just use the regular smooth peanut butter (the kind with hydrogenated oils in its ingredient list).
I love the ‘JOY’ ornament! Loved the video. You are so funny!
Yes! I can’t wait to share this tradition with my family on the East Coast. Looking forward to trying them myself, I’ve heard such wonderful things!
I wait all year for it to be Peanut Butter Ball season, and then, when it is, I eat far too many than one person should. It’s the best time of year! Thank you for the recipe!
This made me smile… I love it when you make videos! :)
These are great! I make a variation of this treat, but with the addition of puffed rice cereal (yes, Rice Krispies!) and a complete dunk in chocolate so they end up looking like truffles or bon-bons. They are my most requested recipe – and it’s super easy. It’s a 1-2-3 of (1) stick of butter, (2) cups of Jiff or any non-natural, commercial peanut butter – your choice of smooth or crunchy, and (3) cups of powdered sugar and (3) cups of puffed rice cereal. Mix it all together – first the butters, regular and peanut; then add the sugar, then the cereal. Round into balls, place on foil wrapped cookie sheets, refrigerate for a bit. Then, melt down your chocolate – I use Ghirardelli melting chocolate, usually the dark, over a water bath. Dip the chilled peanut butter balls in the chocolate with a fork or a nice long handled spoon, and let them cool and harden. You can also add festive sprinkles or glitter if you really want to get fancy while the chocolate is still warm.
Enjoy!
YUM!! How often can you say your Mom has great balls! Will be making these this weekend!
not often enough, really.
I’ve been making these for years too! They are definitely the perfect gift :)
Yum! all cookies should have peanut butter in them.
Anything with peanut butter makes me happy. This is my favourite PB treat. Looks stunning but simple to make.
https://www.saltandserenity.com/2010/12/day-5-double-chocolate-peanut-butter-bark/
I loved hearing about your family traditions. The video was charming, just like you!!
Happy holidays. Wishing you much joy!!!
Thank you so much! And thanks for sharing your favorite peanut butter treat! You can never have too many! xo
Love the recipes and the sweet Christmas card but most of all, I love your writing and look forward to every post. Have a joyous blessed Christmas!
You too, Loretta!
I grew up in Ohio where the buckeye tree is the state tree. We made “buckeyes” too and dipped them to cover almost the entire ball, leaving just a small circle uncovered at one end so they look like the nuts of the buckeye tree. See here: https://www.ohio-nature.com/buckeye-tree.html. Of course, anything with peanut butter and chocolate gets my vote every time! Thanks for the memories, and Merry Christmas!!
Really… the more chocolate the better!
Ah man, I wish my gran made me enchilades for Christmas eve! These peanut butter nalls look like the perfect presents for a secret santa!
Lx
Elle Bloggs
You’re definitely on to something.
They look so yummy!!! Well, I am a peanut-butter lover, so maybe I am not a good judge.. but. yummy!
I really liked your video: how sweet!
https://pandaonavespa.wordpress.com/
Love it! Love everything peanut-butter anyway, but that video takes the (Christmas) cake <3 You look super gorgeous and I love the stories you tell. Happy Holidays to you from Germany!
Happy Holidays Nina!
This is wicked! Makes me want to get into my festive baking… Will definitely be trying these!
Lucy xoxo
https://lucyannblog.blogspot.co.uk
Wicked in the best way!