Dreamy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls Recipe With Cream Cheese

Whipping up delectable peanut butter balls requires minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Creamy textures merge delightfully in this simple treat.

Sweet meets savory through an unexpected combination of ingredients.

Mixing becomes child’s play with just three components.

No fancy kitchen skills needed for this irresistible snack.

Simple pleasures often deliver the most memorable experiences.

You’ll fall in love with how quickly these come together.

Grab a mixing bowl and let’s create something delicious!

Why Peanut Butter Balls With Cream Cheese Are A Must-Try

• Simplify Snacking: Craft delightful treats with just three main ingredients, making dessert preparation a breeze for busy home cooks.
• Customize with Creativity: Experiment with different toppings like crushed nuts, sprinkles, or drizzled chocolate to personalize these delectable bites.
• Perfect Party Pleaser: Crowd-pleasing dessert that works beautifully for potlucks, gatherings, or as a sweet weekend treat everyone will love.
• No-Bake Bliss: Skip the oven and enjoy a stress-free recipe that requires minimal kitchen skills and maximum flavor satisfaction.

Simple Ingredients For Peanut Butter Balls With Cream Cheese

• Peanut Butter: A creamy and rich base that provides the signature flavor for the balls.
• Cream Cheese: Adds smoothness and helps bind the ingredients together.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the mixture and helps create a moldable texture.

• Chocolate Chips: Creates a delicious chocolate shell for the peanut butter balls.
• Coconut Oil: Helps thin the chocolate and create a smooth, glossy coating.

• Graham Crackers, Peanuts: Adds a crunchy texture and extra flavor to the finished peanut butter balls.

Easy Steps For Peanut Butter Balls With Cream Cheese

Step 1: Blend Cream Cheese and Peanut Butter

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and combine softened cream cheese with smooth peanut butter. Whisk these ingredients together until they create a silky, uniform mixture with zero lumps. Your goal is a perfectly blended base that looks creamy and inviting.

Step 2: Create Dough with Powdered Sugar

Gradually introduce powdered sugar into the cream cheese and peanut butter blend. Stir consistently until the mixture transforms into a moldable dough that doesn’t stick to your fingers. The consistency should feel smooth and compact, ready for shaping.

Step 3: Shape Delightful Bite-Sized Spheres

Roll the dough between your palms, crafting small, uniform balls about the size of a golf ball. Place each perfectly rounded truffle onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Aim for consistent sizing to ensure even coating and cooking.

Step 4: Chill and Stabilize Truffles

Transfer the baking sheet to the refrigerator. Let the truffles firm up for 15-20 minutes. This cooling period helps them maintain shape and makes chocolate coating much easier.

Step 5: Prepare Chocolate Coating

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips with coconut oil. Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring between each interval until the mixture becomes glossy and completely smooth. The oil helps create a silky chocolate finish.

Step 6: Dip and Coat Truffles

Using a fork or specialized dipping tool, submerge each chilled truffle into the melted chocolate. Ensure complete and even coverage, gently tapping off excess chocolate to create a clean, professional look.

Step 7: Add Decorative Crunch

Before the chocolate sets, sprinkle crushed graham crackers or chopped peanuts over the coated truffles. This adds delightful texture and visual appeal to your treats.

Step 8: Final Chilling

Return the chocolate-covered truffles to the refrigerator. Allow them to set for 10-15 minutes until the chocolate hardens completely and becomes glossy.

Step 9: Store and Enjoy

Transfer truffles to an airtight container. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. These delectable treats will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to one week – if they last that long!

Helpful Hints For Peanut Butter Balls With Cream Cheese

• Soften Cream Cheese Perfectly: Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to ensure smooth, lump-free mixing with peanut butter.
• Control Sweetness Wisely: Adjust powdered sugar gradually to achieve desired sweetness, tasting as you mix to prevent over-sweetening.
• Prevent Sticky Hands: Lightly coat hands with cooking spray or dust with powdered sugar when rolling balls to minimize sticking and create uniform shapes.
• Chocolate Coating Pro Tip: Maintain chocolate at a consistent, gentle temperature to achieve a smooth, glossy finish without burning or seizing.
• Quick Chill Strategy: Use a quick freezer stint for 5-10 minutes instead of refrigeration to speed up chocolate setting and firming process.

Flavor Ideas For Peanut Butter Balls With Cream Cheese

• No-Bake Nutty Clusters: Replace peanut butter with almond or cashew butter for a different nutty profile, maintaining the same creamy texture and rich flavor.
• Dark Chocolate Decadence: Use dark chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate for a more intense, slightly bitter coating that complements the sweet peanut butter filling.
• Protein Power Bites: Mix in a scoop of vanilla or chocolate protein powder to the base mixture, transforming these treats into a post-workout snack with added nutritional value.
• Tropical Paradise Balls: Incorporate shredded coconut into the base and roll finished balls in toasted coconut flakes for a tropical-inspired variation with added crunch and exotic taste.

What To Pair With Peanut Butter Balls With Cream Cheese

• Pair Sweet Milk Stout: Complement the rich, creamy peanut butter balls with a velvety milk stout that echoes the dessert's smooth chocolate and nutty notes.
• Boost Coffee Companion: Match the treat with a cold brew or espresso, letting the bitter coffee cut through the sweetness and enhance the chocolate's depth.
• Create Dessert Wine Match: Select a late-harvest Riesling or port wine, whose sweet undertones and light acidity perfectly balance the peanut butter's richness.
• Elevate Bourbon Pairing: Enjoy a smooth bourbon with caramel hints, which harmonizes beautifully with the dessert's chocolate and nutty flavor profile.

Smart Ways To Store Peanut Butter Balls With Cream Cheese

• Seal peanut butter balls in a sealed container with tight-fitting lid to maintain freshness and prevent moisture absorption, keeping treats crisp and delicious for up to one week.
• Place sheets of parchment paper between each layer of peanut butter balls to prevent sticking and preserve their pristine chocolate coating, ensuring they remain visually appealing and intact.
• Transfer chocolate-covered balls to freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper, where they can remain frozen for up to three months without losing flavor or texture.
• Keep stored peanut butter balls consistently chilled at 40°F or below to maintain optimal taste, prevent bacterial growth, and preserve their smooth, creamy consistency.

Peanut Butter Balls With Cream Cheese FAQs

• Why use cream cheese in this recipe?

Cream cheese adds richness and helps bind the ingredients together, creating a smoother, creamier texture for the peanut butter balls.

• Can I use natural peanut butter?

Stick to traditional creamy peanut butter with stabilizers, as natural peanut butter can make the mixture too oily and difficult to form into balls.

• How do I prevent the mixture from sticking to my hands while rolling?

Lightly coat your hands with powdered sugar or use food-safe gloves to keep the mixture from sticking while forming the balls.

• Is it necessary to chill the balls before coating with chocolate?

Yes, chilling helps the balls maintain their shape and prevents them from falling apart when dipped in melted chocolate.

3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls (With Cream Cheese) Recipe

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4.6 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 30-40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent Peanut Butter Balls bring creamy, no-bake magic to sweet cravings with minimal effort. Sweet treats combine rich cream cheese and smooth peanut butter for an irresistible snack you’ll want to share with friends and family.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Coating Options:

• 1 cup chocolate chips (milk, dark, or semi-sweet)
• 2 tbsp coconut oil (for melting chocolate)

Optional Garnish:

• 1/2 cup crushed graham crackers
• 1/4 cup chopped peanuts

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Instructions

1. Combine softened cream cheese and peanut butter in a large mixing bowl, stirring until completely smooth and uniform in texture.
2. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar into the mixture, mixing thoroughly until a cohesive dough forms that can be easily shaped without sticking to your hands.
3. Roll the mixture into compact, uniform spheres approximately 1-inch in diameter, placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. Chill the formed balls in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to firm up their structure and make them easier to coat.
5. Melt chocolate chips with coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring between each interval until completely smooth and glossy.
6. Use a fork or dipping tool to submerge each chilled peanut butter ball into the melted chocolate, ensuring complete and even coverage.
7. Gently tap off excess chocolate and return the coated balls to the parchment-lined sheet.
8. Immediately sprinkle crushed graham crackers or chopped peanuts over the chocolate-covered balls before the coating sets.
9. Refrigerate the finished peanut butter balls for 10-15 minutes until the chocolate hardens completely.
10. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Notes

• Soften cream cheese fully at room temperature to ensure a smooth, lump-free mixture that blends seamlessly with peanut butter.
• Use room temperature ingredients to create a more consistent dough that’s easier to shape and roll into perfect spheres.
• Choose natural peanut butter with no added sugar for a less sweet, more authentic flavor profile that complements the cream cheese.
• Experiment with different coatings like crushed pretzels, toasted coconut, or dark chocolate for unique texture and taste variations.

• Prep Time: 20-25 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Rolling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 175
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg