We do not have a love for all things Christmas lately here at the farm. It is hard for us to get into the spirit now that we are one short and Rye is gone. We do however have other people relying on us to put on a good face for Christmas and make it look good darn it!
We do still have some Christmas things that make us happy and one of those is Peanut Butter Balls! I dont know why they say Christmas for us and make us happy but its chocolate, peanut butter, sugar and sea salt - how is that not a happy bite?
I might get in trouble for giving away the recipe but what the heck? Im doing it anyway because what makes me happy will surely make other people happy and also because sharing food with other people makes me happy!
I did have a friend who is diabetic tell me that I need to include in my recipe the dose of insulin that will counteract each ball so please plan ahead if you are bent that way or have a sign ready that says that you are just in a blissful peanut butter ball coma and not a diabetic one!
Start with the peanut butter filling;
Filling:
2 C. Peanut Butter – whatever you like as far as crunchy or creamy
1 C. Butter
2 C. Powder sugar
2 Tbsp Cinnamon
Mix all together to form a stiff peanut butter dough. If your mix seems too thin add more powder sugar. It has to be able to make a good solid ball. I use a stand mixer and the bread hook for this part - it gets really hard to stir by hand. Roll into 1” balls and put in the freezer for at least an hour while you melt your chocolate coating below:
1 box of Bakers semi sweet squares
1 box Bakers unsweetened chocolate squares
2 C Chocolate chips
1 oz of paraffin wax shaved - I know this seems weird but it helps make them shiny and thins the chocolate enough to keep it a nice ball coating. If you hate the idea dont use it - all good!
Melt the above together in a double boiler – Ok – I don’t I just use a small sauce pan on the stove but….. PC and safety of your chocolate says you should use a double boiler.... just sayin.
Once its all melty and smooth get your balls out of the freezer.
Drop one at a time into the melty chocolate and fish them out with a fork or slotted spoon.
Place them immediately on a wax paper cookie sheet spaced a little apart. If you are going to sprinkle them with salt, peanuts, candy cane chunks or anything else now is the time to do it. I dip a few at a time and then sprinkle them so they are still able to hold onto what ever we are sprinkling on.
We have also put in a little Cayenne pepper or chili powder to the peanut butter mix or to the chocolate for a little kick. One of our favorite versions we add smoky sea salt to the top of the balls before the chocolate hardens - its delightful!
When your sheet is full put it in the freezer until the ball is hard again and then store in the freezer in ziplock bags! Yum!
These are great to take for hostess gifts, or to send to school with the kids in a lunch - its a great bite of Christmas love for anyone you choose to bless with one or two - or five is good too! Its ok to let them thaw out before you serve them - they just store best and keep their shape best when frozen.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! Have a ball!
