Easy No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy

I love chocolate. On the contrary, the only way to get my mother to eat chocolate is to add peanut butter to the equation. I was absolutely delighted when she suggested that we create peanut butter chocolate candy together. I’ll use any excuse possible to experiment with chocolate in the kitchen-especially if I know my mother and I will have a chance to bond over it.

For the record, Reese’s eggs are mutually our favorite Easter candy, due to the high peanut butter to chocolate ratio. This recipe tastes very similar, depending on how well you can shake the melted chocolate off the peanut butter ball.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Candy
Adapted from Eating On A Dime

1 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
½ cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups powdered sugar
3 cups semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
1/2 tsp fine salt
2 tablespoons shortening

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or waxed paper and set aside.

Mix peanut butter, butter and vanilla together in a large bowl or stand mixer.

Slowly add the powdered sugar to the creamy mixture, one cup at a time, mixing well each time. No need to sift the powdered sugar.

Once all of the powdered sugar is incorporated into the peanut butter mixture, you can start making your candies. Simply pinch off a small amount and roll between your hands to form a small ball. You can also use a disher (spring loaded ice cream scoop) for more evenly sized candies. Place the peanut butter balls on a prepared cookie sheet with parchment paper or waxed paper.

Once you have made all of your balls, melt your chocolate with the salt and shortening: Add the mixture to a glass bowl and pop it into the microwave in 1 minute increments, stirring after each minute until it is completely melted.

One at a time, drop your peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate. Lift the ball out of the chocolate with a fork. Tap the handle of the fork onto the edge of the bowl to shake the excess chocolate off the ball, and transfer it to the parchment paper.

Tapping the excess chocolate off

Once all of your peanut butter balls are coated, put the cookie sheet in the fridge for 15-30 minutes. This will ensure the chocolate coating is completely hardened.

After the chocolate has hardened, the candies can be added to paper muffin liners or candy wrappers for serving. Depending on the time of year, they may need to be kept in the refrigerator to keep them from melting.

I had a lot of fun making these decadent candies with my mother. Happy baking!

xo