Joanna Gaines Inspired Peanut Butter Balls & Easy No-Bake Peanut Clusters: The Ultimate Holiday Treat Recipe

Last Christmas, the beloved Joanna Gaines offered a peek into her family’s festive traditions, sharing how she spent cherished moments with her loved ones crafting homemade confections intended as heartfelt gifts. She delighted her followers by posting a picture of this very recipe in her Instagram story, and as a self-proclaimed peanut butter aficionado, I knew immediately that I had to recreate these delightful treats! Get ready to dive into the simple joy of making these irresistible Peanut Butter Balls, a recipe that promises to become a cherished tradition in your own home.

Effortlessly Delicious Peanut Butter Balls: A Family Favorite

This recipe is a true testament to simplicity, a culinary dream come true for anyone seeking a straightforward yet incredibly satisfying dessert. It marries my absolute favorite flavors into a harmonious blend that’s simply irresistible. My adoration for all things peanut butter runs deep; it’s genuinely one of my great food loves, and this recipe delivers that creamy, nutty goodness in every bite.

The beauty of these peanut butter balls lies in their elegant simplicity. At its core, the process involves combining a handful of pantry staples in a single bowl. Once the mixture is perfectly blended, you simply scoop or roll it into uniformly sized balls. The next magical step is dipping each one into luscious melted chocolate, creating a rich, outer shell. For an added touch of festive cheer, generously sprinkle them with your favorite holiday sprinkles before they set. Allow them to cool and harden, and just like that, you’ll have a batch of delectable treats ready to be devoured or shared!

As mentioned, the initial spark for this recipe came from Joanna Gaines herself. She generously shared it on her Instagram story last year, showcasing a heartwarming scene where she, her sister, and the kids were all busily creating various confections. It was a beautiful display of teamwork, with everyone contributing to make a variety of edible gifts, perfect for spreading joy during the holiday season. The idea of crafting such delightful homemade presents truly resonated, inspiring many to follow suit and infuse their holiday gifting with a personal touch.

What made Joanna’s sharing even more endearing and relatable were her moments of kitchen mishaps. She bravely showed her followers the realities of home baking, including a humorous incident where her white chocolate burned, and, regrettably, her bowl busted! Perhaps the heat was a tad too high? But honestly, seeing her navigate these minor setbacks made me feel so much better about my own kitchen adventures. It’s a comforting reminder that sometimes, even for seasoned creators like Joanna, stuff just happens, and that’s perfectly okay!

A Two-for-One Treat: Peanut Butter Balls & Bonus Peanut Clusters

One of the most fantastic aspects of this recipe, beyond the sheer delight of creating a truly tasty gift, is the incredible bonus: you essentially get two amazing recipes for the price of one! Once you’ve finished dipping all your delightful Peanut Butter Balls, you’ll inevitably have some luscious melted chocolate leftover. Instead of letting it go to waste, this is where the magic of Peanut Clusters comes in. Simply toss a generous amount of salted peanuts into the remaining melted chocolate, ensuring they are thoroughly coated. Then, scoop spoonfuls of this mixture onto wax paper, allowing them to cool and harden. Voila! You now have a batch of crunchy, salty-sweet peanut clusters, providing yet another wonderful addition to your gift boxes, cookie trays, or simply to enjoy as a quick snack.

This clever trick maximizes your effort and ingredients, making your holiday baking even more efficient and rewarding. Imagine the delight of presenting a beautifully arranged platter featuring both the smooth, rich Peanut Butter Balls and the textured, satisfying Peanut Clusters. It’s a win-win situation for any home baker looking to impress with minimal fuss. This dual-treat approach also allows for variety, catering to different preferences and adding an extra layer of gourmet appeal to your homemade spread.

Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Balls Every Time

Achieving perfection with these peanut butter balls is easier than you might think, especially with a few insider tips. First, ensure your unsalted butter is genuinely super soft, almost at room temperature, but definitely not melted. This consistency is crucial for it to cream smoothly with the peanut butter and powdered sugar, preventing a gritty texture. When mixing in the Rice Krispies, be patient. It might seem like a lot of cereal for the mixture, but with gentle folding and pressing for about five minutes, they will perfectly incorporate, adding that delightful crunch without making the mixture too dry.

For dipping, the double boiler method is your best friend. It provides a gentle, even heat that prevents the chocolate from seizing or burning, which can easily happen with direct heat. Remember, you want steaming water, not boiling, to maintain control over the chocolate’s temperature. Adding a neutral oil, like vegetable or canola oil, to your melted chocolate helps to thin it slightly, making for a smoother, easier dip and a glossier finish. Plus, it helps prevent the chocolate from cracking once set. If you prefer a thicker chocolate coating, you can omit the oil, but be prepared for a slightly more challenging dipping process.

Customizing Your Confections: Variations and Drizzles

While the classic chocolate-dipped peanut butter ball is undeniably delicious, don’t hesitate to get creative with variations. You could experiment with different types of chocolate for dipping – dark chocolate for a richer, more intense flavor, or milk chocolate for an even sweeter treat. For an elegant touch, after dipping in dark or milk chocolate, melt a small amount of white chocolate and drizzle it decoratively over the top. This adds both visual appeal and a subtle contrast in flavor. Alternatively, a sprinkle of sea salt immediately after dipping can elevate the flavor profile, balancing the sweetness with a hint of savory. Chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or even a dusting of cocoa powder are other fantastic topping ideas that allow you to customize each batch to your liking or to match a specific holiday theme.

Gifting and Storage Made Easy

These peanut butter balls and peanut clusters are not just for immediate enjoyment; they are ideal for gifting! Arrange them in decorative boxes, mini cupcake liners, or on festive cookie trays for a homemade present that truly stands out. They are perfect for holiday parties, school events, or as a thoughtful gesture for neighbors and friends. For best results, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for up to two weeks, though it’s unlikely they’ll last that long once people discover how delicious they are! For longer storage, they can also be frozen for up to a month, making them an excellent make-ahead option for busy periods.

Have you tried making this delightful recipe? I’d absolutely love to hear about your experience! Please share your thoughts by leaving a review or comment below. Your feedback helps our community of home bakers! And don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter to get the latest recipes and tips delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, make sure to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for daily inspiration and behind-the-scenes glimpses!

📖 Recipe

Yield: about 48 balls

Peanut Butter Balls and Peanut Clusters

Last year, Joanna Gaines shared this delightful family-favorite recipe on her Instagram story, revealing it as a go-to for filling holiday gift boxes. It’s an incredibly simple and rewarding treat to make. Start a new tradition with your family this year by crafting these delicious peanut butter balls and bonus peanut clusters to enjoy and share!

Ingredients

• 8 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, super soft but not melted (at room temperature)
• 2 cups Powdered Sugar
• 2 cups Crunchy Peanut Butter (or creamy, if preferred)
• 3 ½ cups Rice Krispies (or similar crisp rice cereal)
• 2 pkg Ghirardelli Melting Chocolate (or your favorite melting chocolate)
• 2 tablespoons Neutral Oil (such as vegetable or canola oil, for smoother dipping)
• Multicolored Sprinkles, optional (for a festive touch)
• White Chocolate, see note (for drizzling, optional)
• 1, 12 oz container Salted Peanuts (for peanut clusters)

Instructions

1. Combine the super-soft unsalted butter and crunchy peanut butter in a large mixing bowl. Microwave the mixture for 30 seconds to gently soften both ingredients, making them easier to blend. Mix until completely smooth and well combined. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until a thick paste forms. Finally, add the Rice Krispies. It will take about 5 minutes of gentle folding and pressing, but the Krispies will work themselves in evenly, creating a perfectly crunchy and cohesive mixture.
2. Once your peanut butter mixture is ready, begin forming it into evenly sized balls. You can use a small cookie scoop for uniformity, or simply roll them by hand. Aim for consistent sizes for even dipping and a professional look.
3. Prepare your melting chocolate. Gently melt the packages of chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a double boiler (a pot of steaming, NOT BOILING, water). Stir continuously until the chocolate is smooth and completely melted. Be careful not to let any water get into the chocolate, as this can cause it to seize. Once smooth, remove from heat and stir in the 2 tablespoons of neutral oil until evenly combined. This helps create a thinner, glossy coating.
4. Dip each peanut butter ball into the melted chocolate, allowing any excess to drip off. Carefully place the dipped balls onto wax paper or parchment paper until the chocolate has fully hardened. For a quicker set, you can place them in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes.
5. Don’t let any leftover melted chocolate go to waste! Peanut Clusters are made from the leftover chocolate. Simply throw the entire 12 oz container of salted peanuts into the bowl with the remaining melted chocolate once you are done dipping the peanut butter balls. Stir until the peanuts are thoroughly coated. Drop spoonfuls of the peanut-chocolate mixture onto wax paper. Let them set until hardened. This bonus step gives you two GREAT treats for the price of one!

Notes

While the chocolate is setting, you have the perfect opportunity to add some extra flair! You can optionally toss some festive multicolored sprinkles on top of the dipped peanut butter balls for a pop of color, especially great for holidays. Alternatively, you can melt a little white chocolate (following the same gentle melting process) and drizzle it decoratively over the tops of the finished balls or clusters. Do what makes you happy and expresses your creative side!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

48

Serving Size:

1 grams

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 200Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 99mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 2gSugar: 11gProtein: 5g

This is an estimated caloric value, actual numbers may differ based on the ingredients used and specific brands chosen.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo of your delicious creations on Instagram! Don’t forget to tag me @KendellKreations so I can see your masterpieces!