These Christmas Peanut Butter Balls are the ultimate holiday treat—rich, creamy, chocolate-coated, and wonderfully festive. They combine smooth peanut butter, powdered sugar, and a buttery base to create perfectly soft centers that melt in your mouth. Each ball is dipped in chocolate and decorated with holiday sprinkles, giving them a joyful Christmas flair. Whether you’re preparing dessert platters, gifting homemade treats, or stocking the freezer with holiday sweets, these peanut butter balls deliver delicious nostalgia in every bite.
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Peanut Butter Balls
You’ll love this recipe because it requires no baking, minimal ingredients, and only a few simple steps. Additionally, the flavor is irresistible—the combination of peanut butter and chocolate is timeless, comforting, and universally loved. These treats hold their shape beautifully, store well, and freeze wonderfully, making them perfect for make-ahead holiday baking. They’re also incredibly versatile and can be decorated to match any Christmas theme.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
If you want a holiday dessert that looks impressive but takes hardly any effort, these peanut butter balls are a must-try. The mixture comes together in minutes, the rolling process is simple, and the results look bakery-quality. Furthermore, they’re a great choice for cookie trays, party platters, chocolate boxes, and kids’ holiday activities. Because they’re bite-sized, they’re perfect for snacking, gifting, and sharing.
Ingredients You’ll Need
1 cup creamy peanut butter
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 ½–2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups chocolate chips or melting chocolate
1 tablespoon coconut oil or shortening (optional, for smoother dipping)
Holiday sprinkles or crushed candy canes for decoration
How to Make Christmas Peanut Butter Balls (Step-by-Step)
Step 1 – Mix the Base: Begin by beating the softened butter and peanut butter until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. This creates the perfect foundation for shaping.
Step 2 – Add Vanilla and Sugar: Blend in the vanilla extract, then gradually add powdered sugar until the mixture becomes thick enough to roll. It should feel soft but not sticky.
Step 3 – Shape the Balls: Scoop small portions of dough and roll them into 1-inch balls. Arrange the shaped balls on a parchment-lined tray.
Step 4 – Chill the Balls: Place the tray in the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes so the peanut butter mixture becomes firm and easy to dip in chocolate.
Step 5 – Melt the Chocolate: While the balls are chilling, melt the chocolate chips with coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 20–30 seconds until smooth and glossy.
Step 6 – Dip and Decorate: Using a fork or dipping tool, lower each chilled ball into the melted chocolate. Allow excess chocolate to drip off, then place the coated ball back on the tray. Add Christmas sprinkles or crushed candy canes before the chocolate sets.
Step 7 – Final Chill: Refrigerate the finished peanut butter balls for another 15–20 minutes, or until the chocolate has fully hardened.
Nutritional Information (Approx. per ball)
Calories: 105
Fat: 7g
Carbs: 10g
Sugar: 8g
Protein: 2g
Tips for the Best Christmas Peanut Butter Balls
Use creamy peanut butter for the smoothest texture.
Chill the dough before rolling if it feels too soft.
Add powdered sugar slowly to avoid a dry mixture.
Use high-quality melting chocolate for smooth coating.
Add coconut oil for shinier, easier-to-dip chocolate.
Roll balls evenly so they look uniform on dessert trays.
Decorate immediately before the chocolate sets.
Keep hands slightly chilled to prevent melting while rolling.
Freeze balls before dipping for extra clean chocolate edges.
Store chilled so the chocolate stays glossy and firm.
Variations & Substitutions
White Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls: Dip in melted white chocolate.
Crunchy Version: Use crunchy peanut butter for texture.
Buckeye Style: Leave a bit of peanut butter visible on top.
Mint Chocolate Version: Add a drop of peppermint extract to the chocolate.
Nut-Free Version: Use sunflower seed butter.
Salted Caramel: Drizzle caramel over chilled balls.
Christmas Sprinkle Balls: Use red, green, and gold sprinkles.
Cookies & Cream: Mix in crushed Oreos before rolling.
What to Serve With Christmas Peanut Butter Balls
Serve them on Christmas dessert platters alongside fudge, sugar cookies, peppermint bark, snowball cookies, or chocolate truffles. They pair beautifully with hot cocoa, peppermint lattes, chai tea, and warm holiday drinks. They also make excellent additions to treat boxes, party trays, and edible gift tins.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t skip chilling—the mixture will be too soft to dip.
Avoid adding too much powdered sugar, which makes the balls crumbly.
Don’t overheat the chocolate; it can seize or burn.
Avoid rolling with warm hands; chill briefly if needed.
Don’t let chocolate sit too long before decorating or sprinkles won’t stick.
Storing Tips
Keep the peanut butter balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. For long-term storage, freeze them for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and add fresh sprinkles if needed.
Conclusion
Christmas Peanut Butter Balls are the perfect combination of creamy peanut butter, rich chocolate, and festive holiday flair. They’re incredibly easy to prepare, wonderfully delicious, and always one of the most popular treats on any dessert table. Whether you’re planning ahead or making a quick batch for a party, these no-bake holiday bites will instantly become a Christmas tradition.
Recipe FAQs
- Can I use natural peanut butter? Only if it’s very thick; runny types don’t set well.
- Why is my dough sticky? Add more powdered sugar and chill longer.
- Can I freeze them before dipping? Yes, that helps keep their shape.
- Can I dip them in white chocolate? Absolutely—white chocolate looks gorgeous.
- Can kids help make them? Yes, rolling and decorating are perfect for kids.
- Can I use almond butter? Yes, but flavor will change.
- Can I make these ahead? They’re perfect for make-ahead gifting.
- Why did my chocolate crack? The balls might have been too cold—let them warm 2 minutes before dipping.
- Can I use melting wafers? Yes, they melt smoothly and set beautifully.
- How do I store them for gifting? Keep chilled and pack in tins lined with parchment.