No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

Happy New Year Everyone! I hope you enjoyed your holiday season and are looking forward to what 2015 will bring. I have some new and exciting recipes that I look forward to sharing with all of you, as well as some of my old favorites.
I couldn't let the new year begin without posting one of my holiday treats: No bake peanut butter balls. 
Although not the healthiest dessert, they are certainly delicious and if you are a peanut butter fanatic this is perfect for you.
They are simple to make, with only 6 ingredients that you may already have in your kitchen. My family  always looks forward to this yearly treat and now yours can too. Enjoy!

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls:
Makes about 40-50 (depending on the size)
Prep time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 cups crisped rice cereal, measure out then crush (I prefer Kellogg Rice Krispies)
• 2 cups smooth peanut butter
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla flavoring or extract
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 pound of melting chocolate, (I prefer semi-sweet chocolate)
• Sprinkles (optional)

Directions:

1. Mix peanut butter and melted butter together in a large bowl.
2. Add powdered sugar and crushed rice cereal.
3. Mix until combined. Form into one inch balls.
4. Place the formed balls on a wax paper lined cookie tray and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before coating with chocolate.
5. Melt chocolate in microwave by heating for 30 seconds then stirring and repeating process until it is melted and smooth.
6. Dip each peanut butter ball into the chocolate and roll around until coated. I used two spoons to complete this, but will also will work if you have toothpicks available.
7. Place the chocolate coated ball on a separate cookie sheet lined with wax paper.
8. Place the balls back in the freezer to let the chocolate set. Chill until ready to serve.

Note: I recommend putting the mixture in the fridge for 1 hour before rolling. If you find that the balls aren’t rolling very well or feel sticky, add a little more powdered sugar and crushed cereal.

The peanut butter ball dough can be stored, tightly sealed, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before dipping in chocolate.
If you have a peanut allergy you can still make this tasty dessert using a substitute.

Wow Butter (or Pea Butter) – a soybean based peanut butter.