Peanut Butter Ball

Any peanut butter lover will think this creamy peanut butter ball is a winner. It’s sweet and just the right choice for a dippable dessert.

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Table of Contents

Peanut Butter Ball Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Peanut Butter Ball Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
Why We Love This Recipe
More Recipes You’ll Love
JUMP TO RECIPE

This peanut butter ball might just be one of the best creations ever imagined. Similar to a cheese ball, this version features cream cheese and peanut butter blended and formed into a creamy ball before being coated with Reese’s pieces.

Peanut Butter Ball Ingredients

peanut butter ball raw ingredients that are labeled

This peanut butter ball recipe offers a delightful blend of nutty and sweet flavors with a satisfying crunch.

It’s a mouthwatering combination that’s sure to satisfy your cravings for a delicious peanut-buttery treat with a hint of chocolatey goodness.

You’ll need:

1 (8-ounce) package of cream cheese, softened
1½ cups of creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
1¼ cups of powdered sugar, sifted
¾ cup of Reese’s Pieces candies
For dipping: 2 sleeves of graham crackers broken into individual pieces.

Substitutions And Additions

MIX-INS: You can add mini milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips to the peanut butter mixture before chilling in the refrigerator.

PEANUT BUTTER: You could choose either smooth peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter for a little bit of extra crunch.

We would not recommend using natural peanut butter as the oils tend to separate, and it won’t combine well in this recipe.

PURE VANILLA EXTRACT: To infuse unique flavors, experiment with other extracts like almond, maple, or hazelnut.

REESE’S PIECES CANDIES: Get creative with mix-ins by using chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or chopped nuts like almonds, pecans, or walnuts.

How To Make This Peanut Butter Ball Recipe

Let’s walk through the step-by-step instructions for making this easy party appetizer or dessert.

PRO TIP:

You can make the peanut butter ball a day ahead and store it in the fridge until you are ready to serve it.

STEP ONE: Beat together the softened cream cheese, creamy peanut butter, and vanilla extract for 1½ to 2 minutes until smooth.

Use either a stand mixer, or a medium mixing bowl and a hand mixer, on medium-high speed to mix the ingredients.

PRO TIP:

Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature, or you may end up with lumps in your mixture.

peanut butter ball process shot of ingredients being blended together in a bowl

STEP TWO: Add the sifted powdered sugar and continue mixing for another 1 to 1½ minutes.

peanut butter ball process shot of powdered sugar blended into the peanut butter mixture

STEP THREE: Measure out two pieces of plastic wrap in a crisscross pattern. Spoon the peanut butter mixture into the center of the plastic wrap and shape it into a ball.

Tightly wrap the peanut butter ball in the plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for two hours.

PRO TIP:

Don’t skip the chilling step, as you need to let the ball firm up to be able to hold its shape.

peanut butter ball process shot of peanut butter mixture rolled into a ball and wrapped in plastic wrap

STEP FOUR: Just before serving, unwrap the peanut butter ball and place it in the center of a serving plate.

STEP FIVE: Lightly press Reese’s pieces onto the surface of the peanut butter ball.

peanut butter ball process shot of Reese's pieces gently pressed onto the peanut butter ball

STEP SIX: Arrange the graham cracker pieces around the decorated peanut butter ball.

How To Serve

This might just be my new favorite thing to make for a sweet treat. Surprise your kiddos with it for a fun after-school snack, or serve it at your next gathering.

You can also use vanilla wafers, hard pretzels, mini Hershey’s bars, apple slices, or broken pieces of sugar cone bowls for dipping.

Create a dessert platter with an array of sweet treats, including your peanut butter balls as the star attraction.

Add chocolate truffles, mini cheesecakes, and fresh fruit for a diverse dessert spread that caters to various tastes.

If you are looking for a savory version, our cheese ball is creamy and addictive, while our buckeyes are a yummy bite-size treat.

MORE PEANUT BUTTER RECIPES

Cookie Recipes

Cookie Peanut Butter Cups

Pie Recipes

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

Storage

Now, let’s talk about how to store your delicious peanut butter balls to keep them fresh and enjoyable.

MAKE AHEAD: If you want to prepare ahead, you can make these peanut butter balls in advance and store them in an airtight container. They can be refrigerated or frozen for longer storage.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store the peanut butter ball covered in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Store leftover graham crackers in a Ziploc baggie to keep the crackers from becoming stale.

IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze the undecorated peanut butter cheese ball for up to one month. Wrap in wax paper and then place in a Ziploc bag.

Allow the peanut butter ball to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before decorating and serving.

overhead shot of a serving plate of peanut butter ball surrounded by graham crackers

Why We Love This Recipe

We love this recipe for so many reasons, including:

IRRESISTIBLE FLAVOR: These peanut butter balls are a delightful blend of creamy, nutty, and sweet flavors with a satisfying crunch, making them a mouthwatering treat for anyone who adores peanut butter and chocolate.

MAKE-AHEAD FRIENDLY: These peanut butter balls can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge or freezer, making them a convenient and make-ahead-friendly treat for parties, gatherings, or snacking whenever the craving strikes.

You might just find yourself addicted to this creamy peanut butter ball. Only a handful of ingredients and you will have yourself a perfect dessert choice for dipping and satisfying your peanut butter cravings.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I make this peanut butter ball recipe ahead of time?

This delicious dessert is perfect for making the day before. Store in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 24 hours before serving.

Can I mix in other ingredients with cream cheese and peanut butter?

The peanut butter ball ingredients are entirely customizable. If you would like to add other ingredients, such as chocolate chips or toffee bits, to this no-bake treat, you can give it a try.

What is the best peanut butter to use in this recipe?

It is best to use regular peanut butter, but you can also use crunchy if you’d like. We would not recommend using all-natural peanut butter as it won’t blend well, and the oils tend to separate easily in it.

More Recipes You’ll Love

Peanut Butter Ball

5 from 5 votes

Any peanut butter lover will think this creamy peanut butter ball is a winner. It’s sweet and just the right choice for a dippable dessert.

Prep Time 20

Total Time 2 20

Servings

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Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1½ cups creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1¼ cups powdered sugar, sifted
¾ cup Reese’s pieces candies
2 sleeves graham crackers, broken into individual pieces (You can also use vanilla wafers, hard pretzels, mini Hershey’s bars, apple slices, broken pieces of sugar cones, or broken pieces of sugar cone bowls.)
mini chocolate chips, optional

Instructions

Using either a stand mixer, or a medium-sized mixing bowl and a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat together the softened cream cheese, creamy peanut butter, and vanilla extract for 1½ to 2 minutes until smooth.
Add the sifted powdered sugar and continue mixing for another 1 to 1½ minutes.
Measure out 2 pieces of plastic wrap in a crisscross pattern. Spoon the peanut butter mixture into the center of the plastic wrap and shape it into a ball. Tightly wrap the peanut butter ball in the plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
Just before serving, unwrap the peanut butter ball and place it in the center of a serving plate.
Lightly press the Reese’s pieces onto the surface of the peanut butter ball. Arrange the graham cracker pieces around the decorated peanut butter ball.

Notes

You can add mini chocolate chips to the peanut butter mixture before chilling in the refrigerator.
You can make the peanut butter ball a day ahead and store it in the fridge until you are ready to serve it.
Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature, or you may end up with lumps in your mixture.
Don’t skip the chilling step, as you need to let the ball firm up to be able to hold its shape.

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!