Peanut butter bon bons

 

Peanut butter bon bons are a delicious no-bake treat that combines creamy peanut butter with a rich chocolate coating. They're perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth and are relatively simple to make at home. Here's a recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups creamy peanut butter (not natural style)
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 ½ cups confectioners' sugar (powdered sugar)
• 3 cups crispy rice cereal (like Rice Krispies)
• 6 ounces (170g) semi-sweet chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate bar)

Instructions:

1. Combine Wet Ingredients:
   In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the peanut butter and softened butter. Stir constantly until the mixture is smooth and heated through. This helps to soften the peanut butter and make it easier to blend with the other ingredients.

2. Add Sugar and Cereal:
   Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the confectioners' sugar. It might get difficult to stir at first, but keep mixing until the sugar is fully incorporated. Then, fold in the crispy rice cereal with a rubber spatula or large spoon until everything is evenly coated.

3. Form the Balls:
   Pour the mixture into a large bowl and let it cool slightly. You don't want it to be too hot to handle, but it should still be pliable enough to shape. Grease your hands lightly with oil to prevent sticking as you scoop out the mixture and roll it into balls. Aim for bite-sized balls, roughly 1 inch in diameter.

4. Chill the Balls (Optional):
   Place the formed peanut butter balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You can refrigerate them for 30 minutes to 1 hour to firm up the mixture, especially if the kitchen is warm. This step is optional, but it can help the chocolate coating set more easily.

5. Melt the Chocolate:
   While the peanut butter balls are chilling (or setting at room temperature), melt the chocolate chips in a heat-resistant bowl using your preferred method. You can use a double boiler (a bowl placed over simmering water) or a microwave on low power, stirring frequently, until the chocolate is smooth and melted.

6. Coating the Balls:
   Once the chocolate is melted, use a toothpick or fork to dip each peanut butter ball into the chocolate, coating it completely. Gently tap off any excess chocolate as you lift the ball out.

7. Placing and Setting:
   Transfer the chocolate-coated peanut butter balls back to the parchment paper-lined baking sheet. You can add a sprinkle of chopped peanuts or sea salt on top of the wet chocolate for an extra flavor and texture twist (optional).

8. Refrigerate and Enjoy:
   Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator and let the chocolate coating set completely. This usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour. Once set, store the peanut butter bon bons in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Tips:

• For a richer chocolate flavor, use dark chocolate chips or a combination of semi-sweet and dark chocolate.
• If the peanut butter mixture seems too dry and difficult to form into balls, add a tablespoon or two of milk and mix it in until it reaches a desired consistency.
• Don't overmix the peanut butter mixture once you add the cereal. This can make the bon bons tough.
• Get creative with your add-ins! You can fold in chopped nuts, pretzels, or even mini marshmallows into the peanut butter mixture before shaping the balls.
• Let the melted chocolate cool slightly before dipping the balls. This helps prevent the peanut butter from melting too much.

Enjoy making and indulging in these delightful Peanut Butter Bon Bons!