Peanut Butter Snowballs Recipe

Peanut butter snowballs are the perfect festive treat. They're a simple, no-bake dessert that combines the creamy, savory flavor of peanut butter with the sweet, comforting taste of vanilla candy. This delicious confectionery is then dusted with a touch of Christmas sprinkles, adding a delightful crunch. Perfect for sharing with loved ones during the holiday season!

Photos of Peanut Butter Snowballs Recipe

You'll find most of the ingredients for these peanut butter snowballs in your pantry. However, you may need to pick up vanilla candy coating from your local supermarket. This is often located in the baking supplies aisle, near the chocolate chips. It's a versatile ingredient that adds a sweet vanilla flavor while creating a smooth, glossy coating for your snowballs.

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Snowballs

Creamy peanut butter: A rich and smooth ingredient that forms the base of the snowballs.

Butter: Adds a creamy, indulgent flavor to the snowballs.

Powdered sugar: Sweetens the peanut butter mixture and helps to create a dough-like consistency.

Vanilla candy coating: Melted and used to coat the peanut butter balls, giving them a sweet outer shell.

Christmas sprinkles: Adds a festive touch and a little crunch to the finished snowballs.

One reader, Clarance Judge says:

This peanut butter snowballs recipe is a game-changer! The combination of creamy peanut butter and vanilla candy coating is simply divine. The snowballs are easy to make and taste absolutely delicious. The festive sprinkles add a fun touch. I can't wait to make these again for the holidays!

Clarance Judge

Essential Techniques for Making Peanut Butter Snowballs

How to prepare the peanut butter snowball dough: Combine the powdered sugar, creamy peanut butter, and butter in a bowl, mixing until a dough forms.

How to shape the peanut butter snowballs: Take the prepared dough and shape it into 1-inch balls, then place them on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Chill the shaped balls for 30 minutes.

How to coat the peanut butter snowballs with candy: Melt the vanilla candy coating until smooth, then dip the chilled peanut butter balls into the coating until they are completely covered. Place the coated balls back on the waxed paper-lined baking sheet.

How to decorate the peanut butter snowballs: Sprinkle Christmas sprinkles over the coated peanut butter snowballs. Chill the decorated snowballs for an additional 15-20 minutes before serving.

How To Make Peanut Butter Snowballs

For a Christmas-themed dessert, look no further than this snowballs recipe. A sweet and smooth peanut butter filling is coated with vanilla candy coating.

Preparation: 5 minutes

Cooking: 5 minutes

Chill Time: 45 minutes

Total: 55 minutes

Serves:

Ingredients

½cupcreamy peanut butter
3tbspbutter,softened
1cuppowdered sugar
1lbvanilla candy coating
christmas sprinkles

Instructions

Combine sugar, peanut butter and butter in a bowl mixing until dough forms.
Shape into 1-inch balls and place on baking sheet lined with wax paper. Chill for 30 minutes.
When done chilling, melt candy coating until smooth and dip balls coating with candy until smooth and all over. Place back on waxed paper-lined baking sheet, sprinkle with sprinkles and chill for an additional 15 to 20 minutes. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 312.96kcal
Fat: 19.74g
Saturated Fat: 9.64g
Trans Fat: 0.12g
Monounsaturated Fat: 7.30g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.82g
Carbohydrates: 37.28g
Fiber: 2.77g
Sugar: 32.26g
Protein: 4.01g
Cholesterol: 7.63mg
Sodium: 6.58mg
Calcium: 18.32mg
Potassium: 199.02mg
Iron: 1.38mg
Vitamin A: 24.28µg

Helpful Technique Tip for Making Peanut Butter Snowballs

When melting the vanilla candy coating, it's best to use a double boiler to prevent the candy from burning. If you don't have a double boiler, you can make one by placing a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Make sure the bowl doesn't touch the water. Stir the candy coating constantly for a smooth and even melt. This will ensure your peanut butter snowballs have a perfectly smooth and shiny finish.

Time-Saving Tips for Making This Recipe

Prep ahead: Make the peanut butter mixture a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. This will save you time on the day you plan to make the snowballs.

Use a melon baller: Instead of shaping the peanut butter mixture into balls by hand, use a melon baller to quickly and uniformly form the snowballs.

Double the batch: Since these snowballs store well in the freezer, consider making a larger batch and freezing some for later. This way, you'll have a sweet treat ready to go whenever you need it.

Organize your workspace: Before you start, lay out all your ingredients and tools. This will help streamline the process and prevent any last-minute scrambling.

Substitute Ingredients For Peanut Butter Snowballs Recipe

creamy peanut butter - Substitute with almond butter: Almond butter has a similar creamy texture and nutty flavor, making it a great alternative for those with peanut allergies or looking for a different flavor profile.
butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used as a dairy-free alternative to butter and adds a subtle coconut flavor to the snowballs.
powdered sugar - Substitute with maple sugar: Maple sugar can be used as a natural alternative to powdered sugar, adding a hint of maple flavor to the snowballs.
vanilla candy coating - Substitute with white chocolate: White chocolate can be melted and used as a substitute for vanilla candy coating, providing a similar creamy and sweet coating for the snowballs.
christmas sprinkles - Substitute with festive nonpareils: Festive nonpareils can be used as a colorful and decorative alternative to Christmas sprinkles, adding a pop of color and texture to the snowballs.

How to Beautifully Present Peanut Butter Snowballs

Elevate the plating: Present the peanut butter snowballs on a pristine white plate, allowing the smooth, round shapes to stand out against the clean background.
Incorporate contrasting textures: Pair the creamy peanut butter snowballs with a delicate drizzle of rich chocolate sauce to add a luxurious touch to the presentation.
Utilize seasonal garnishes: Adorn the plate with a sprinkle of festive Christmas sprinkles to add a pop of color and a touch of holiday cheer.
Create visual balance: Arrange the snowballs in a triangular formation, ensuring a visually appealing and balanced presentation that showcases the craftsmanship of the dish.
Highlight the candy coating: Drizzle a light dusting of edible gold leaf over the snowballs to accentuate the glossy sheen of the vanilla candy coating, adding an element of sophistication to the dish.

Essential Tools for Making Peanut Butter Snowballs

Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is essential for combining ingredients and ensuring they are thoroughly mixed together.
Baking sheet: A baking sheet is used to place the formed peanut butter snowballs on for chilling and setting.
Wax paper: Wax paper is used to line the baking sheet and prevent the peanut butter snowballs from sticking.
Saucepan: A saucepan is used to melt the candy coating until it becomes smooth and easy to dip the peanut butter snowballs in.
Spatula: A spatula is useful for stirring and scraping the sides of the saucepan to ensure the candy coating melts evenly.
Christmas sprinkles: Christmas sprinkles are used to decorate the peanut butter snowballs, adding a festive touch to the final presentation.

How To Store and Freeze Peanut Butter Snowballs

Let the peanut butter snowballs cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. This will prevent them from sticking together and maintain their shape.
Place a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper between each layer of snowballs to keep them from sticking to one another.
Store the snowballs in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The cool temperature will help preserve their texture and prevent the candy coating from melting.
If you want to keep the snowballs for a longer period, you can freeze them for up to 2 months:
- Arrange the cooled snowballs on a baking sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper, making sure they aren't touching each other.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about an hour, or until the snowballs are frozen solid.
- Transfer the frozen snowballs to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag, separating each layer with wax paper or parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.
- When you're ready to enjoy the frozen snowballs, remove them from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.
To maintain the best texture and flavor, consume the peanut butter snowballs within the recommended storage times. Prolonged storage may cause the candy coating to lose its shine and the snowballs to become slightly softer.

Interesting Fact About Peanut Butter Snowballs

Peanut butter snowballs are a delicious treat that can be enjoyed during the holiday season. They are a great option for those with a sweet tooth, as they offer a perfect combination of creamy peanut butter and sweet vanilla candy coating. These snowballs are also a fun and festive treat to make with kids, as they can help with shaping the balls and adding the Christmas sprinkles. Additionally, these snowballs can be a great homemade gift idea for friends and family. So, next time you're looking for a sweet and simple treat to make, consider whipping up a batch of peanut butter snowballs!

Is Making Peanut Butter Snowballs at Home Cost-Effective?

The peanut butter snowballs recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The main ingredients, such as peanut butter and powdered sugar, are affordable and readily available. The addition of vanilla candy coating and Christmas sprinkles may slightly increase the cost, but these are optional and can be adjusted based on budget. Overall, this recipe offers a delightful treat at a reasonable cost. On a scale of 1-10, the verdict for this recipe is 9. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $10-$15, making it a budget-friendly dessert option.

Are Peanut Butter Snowballs Healthy or Unhealthy?

From a nutritional standpoint, this peanut butter snowballs recipe is not particularly healthy. Here's why:

The recipe is high in sugar, with 1 cup of powdered sugar and vanilla candy coating, which can contribute to obesity, diabetes, and other health issues when consumed in excess.
Peanut butter, while a good source of protein and healthy fats, is also high in calories and should be consumed in moderation.
Butter adds additional saturated fat to the recipe, which can increase the risk of heart disease when consumed in large amounts.

However, there are a few redeeming qualities:

Peanut butter provides some protein and healthy fats, which can help with satiety and blood sugar control.
The recipe does not require baking, which means no additional oils or fats are needed.

To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:

Reduce the amount of powdered sugar and substitute a portion with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup.
Use a high-quality, natural peanut butter without added sugars or oils.
Replace some or all of the butter with a healthier alternative, such as coconut oil or mashed avocado.
Instead of using vanilla candy coating, try dipping the snowballs in dark chocolate, which contains antioxidants and has potential health benefits when consumed in moderation.
Add some rolled oats or finely chopped nuts to the dough for added fiber and nutrients.
Reduce the size of the snowballs to create smaller portions, which can help with portion control and calorie intake.

Editor's Opinion on Peanut Butter Snowballs

This peanut butter snowballs recipe is a delightful treat for the holiday season. The combination of creamy peanut butter, butter, and powdered sugar creates a rich and indulgent filling, while the vanilla candy coating adds a sweet and smooth finish. The festive Christmas sprinkles add a pop of color and fun, making these snowballs a perfect addition to any holiday dessert spread. The recipe is simple to follow and the end result is a delicious and visually appealing treat that will surely impress your guests. Enjoy making and sharing these delightful peanut butter snowballs!

Enhance Your Peanut Butter Snowballs Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:

Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Toss with balsamic glaze and crispy bacon for a savory and tangy side dish.

Honey Glazed Carrots: Drizzle with a honey and thyme glaze for a sweet and aromatic accompaniment to the peanut butter snowballs.

Cranberry Orange Salad: Mix fresh cranberries, oranges, and a hint of mint for a refreshing and zesty side to balance the richness of the dessert.

Similar Recipes to Try Instead of Peanut Butter Snowballs

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup: This classic soup is perfect for a cozy night in. The combination of fresh tomatoes and aromatic basil creates a comforting and flavorful dish.

Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon: This dish is a delicious and healthy option for dinner. The sweet and savory glaze pairs perfectly with the tender and flaky salmon.

Mango Coconut Chia Pudding: For a refreshing and nutritious dessert, try making this tropical chia pudding. The combination of sweet mango and creamy coconut is a delightful treat.

Appetizers and Main Courses to Serve Alongside Peanut Butter Snowballs

Appetizers:

Stuffed Mushrooms: Delight your guests with these savory and indulgent stuffed mushrooms. Filled with a rich and creamy mixture, these bite-sized appetizers are sure to be a hit at any gathering.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip: This classic appetizer is a crowd-pleaser for a reason. The creamy, cheesy dip is packed with flavor and pairs perfectly with crunchy bread or crispy tortilla chips. It's the ultimate comfort food for any occasion.

Main Courses:

Chicken Alfredo: Creamy pasta dish with tender chicken and a rich, savory sauce.

Beef Stir Fry: A flavorful and colorful dish with tender strips of beef and a variety of crisp, fresh vegetables.

Why trust this Peanut Butter Snowballs Recipe:

This recipe guarantees a delightful treat, crafted with the finest ingredients. The creamy peanut butter and rich butter create a luscious base, while the addition of powdered sugar ensures a perfect balance of sweetness. The final touch of vanilla candy coating adds a luxurious finish, elevating the flavor and texture. With a festive sprinkle of Christmas sprinkles, these peanut butter snowballs promise a delightful holiday indulgence.

Share your thoughts on the Peanut Butter Snowballs Recipe in the Recipe Sharing forum section and let us know if you have any tips or variations to enhance this delightful treat!

FAQ:

How long do the peanut butter snowballs last?

The peanut butter snowballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy peanut butter?

Yes, you can use crunchy peanut butter if you prefer a bit of texture in your snowballs.

Can I freeze the peanut butter snowballs?

Yes, you can freeze the peanut butter snowballs for up to 3 months. Just make sure to thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.

Can I use colored candy coating for a more festive look?

Absolutely! Using colored candy coating can add a fun and festive touch to the peanut butter snowballs.

Can I skip the chilling step and dip the peanut butter balls immediately?

Chilling the peanut butter balls helps them hold their shape and makes them easier to dip in the candy coating. It's best to chill them for the specified time for the best results.