Peanut Butter Snowballs

These peanut butter snowballs are one of the easiest holiday treats you can make, and one of the most popular. A smooth, creamy peanut butter center, much like the filling of a peanut butter cup, is rolled into little balls, chilled until firm, then dipped in white chocolate so that each one looks like a tiny snowball. They are sweet, salty, creamy, and a little bit fun, and they need no baking at all.

Peanut butter snowballs are a favorite for cookie exchanges, Christmas candy trays, gift tins, and school parties. They come together with only a handful of pantry ingredients, and kids can help roll the balls and add sprinkles. They keep well in the refrigerator, so you can make them days in advance and enjoy them all through the holiday season.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No baking and no special equipment
• Only a few simple ingredients
• Creamy, peanut-buttery centers with a sweet white chocolate shell
• Makes about 30 snowballs, perfect for sharing and gifting
• Easy for kids to help with
• Can be made days ahead and stored in the refrigerator
• Pretty and festive with sprinkles or coconut

They are also a wonderful way to add something homemade to a holiday cookie tray without turning on the oven.

What Do Peanut Butter Snowballs Taste Like?

These snowballs taste like a creamy peanut butter truffle wrapped in sweet white chocolate. The center is smooth, rich, and slightly salty, a little like the filling of a peanut butter cup. The coating adds a sweet, creamy snap that balances the saltiness of the peanut butter. Served cold, they are firm and satisfying, and at room temperature they soften into a melt-in-your-mouth bite.

Recipe Overview

• Prep time: about 30 minutes, plus chilling
• Cook time: none
• Yield: about 30 snowballs
• Difficulty: Easy
• Method: No-bake, rolled and dipped

Ingredients

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• 1 cup (258 g) creamy peanut butter (not natural style)
• 1/4 cup (57 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups (180 g) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 12 ounces (340 g) white chocolate or white candy melts
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening
• Sprinkles or shredded coconut, for decorating (optional)

Ingredient Notes

Peanut butter: Use a creamy, no-stir peanut butter such as Jif or Skippy. Natural peanut butter can be too oily and make the balls greasy or crumbly.

Butter: It makes the dough smooth and rich and helps the balls hold their shape. Make sure it is soft but not melted.

Powdered sugar: Sift it if it is lumpy so the dough is silky. Add it gradually, since you may not need all of it.

White chocolate or candy melts: Candy melts and almond bark melt smoothly and set firmly, which makes dipping easy. Real white chocolate tastes better but can be fussier and may need a little coconut oil to thin it.

Coconut oil: A spoonful thins the coating so it is easy to dip and gives a smooth, shiny finish.

Salt: It balances the sweetness and brings out the peanut flavor.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

• Large mixing bowl and hand mixer or sturdy spoon
• Baking sheet and parchment paper
• Microwave-safe bowl for melting the coating
• Toothpicks or a dipping fork
• Small cookie scoop for even balls
• Airtight container for storage

Substitutions and Variations

• Chocolate coating: Use milk or dark chocolate for classic peanut butter balls with a chocolate shell.
• Graham cracker crumbs: Stir in 1/2 cup of graham cracker crumbs for a slightly firmer, crumbly center.
• Crunchy peanut butter: Use crunchy peanut butter for extra texture.
• Coconut snowballs: Roll the dipped balls in shredded coconut for a fluffy snow effect.
• Other nut butters: Almond butter or cashew butter can be used in place of peanut butter.
• Festive toppings: Add crushed peppermint, red and green sprinkles, or mini chocolate chips.

How to Make Peanut Butter Snowballs

The process is simple: mix the dough, roll it into balls, chill them until firm, dip them in white chocolate, and let the coating set. Chilling the balls first is the key to easy dipping.

Step-by-Step Instructions

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1. Prepare the pan. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Make the dough. In a large bowl, beat the peanut butter and softened butter until smooth. Beat in the vanilla and salt, then gradually mix in the powdered sugar until a thick, smooth dough forms.
3. Roll and chill. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, about 30 in total, and place them on the baking sheet. Chill in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes, until firm.
4. Melt the coating. Melt the white chocolate and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second bursts, stirring until smooth.
5. Dip. Insert a toothpick into a chilled ball, dip it in the melted coating, and let the excess drip off. Place back on the parchment and remove the toothpick.
6. Decorate. Add sprinkles or shredded coconut while the coating is still wet.
7. Set. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to set. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Tips for Success

• Chill the balls until they are very firm so they do not fall apart in the warm coating.
• Work with a few balls at a time and keep the rest in the freezer.
• Stir the melted coating often, and reheat briefly if it starts to thicken.
• Avoid water, which can cause white chocolate to seize and turn grainy.
• Tap the toothpick on the edge of the bowl to remove excess coating for a smooth finish.
• Fill the toothpick hole by gently smoothing the coating with the tip of the toothpick.
• If the dough is too soft to roll, chill it for 15 minutes first.

How to Know They’re Done

The snowballs are ready when the coating is completely set and no longer tacky when touched. The center should be firm and smooth, and the coating should look glossy and even, with no bare spots.

What to Serve With Peanut Butter Snowballs

These snowballs are rich and sweet, so they pair well with:

• Hot cocoa or coffee
• A cold glass of milk
• A platter of assorted holiday cookies
• Fresh fruit like clementines or apple slices

For a festive dessert tray, add Christmas M&M Cookies and Irresistibly Crispy Homemade Butter Cookies.

Storage Instructions

Store the snowballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, with parchment between the layers so the coating does not stick. They can sit out at room temperature for a few hours at a party. Let them stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving if you prefer a softer center.

Freezing Instructions

Freeze the finished snowballs in a single layer on a tray until solid, then transfer them to a freezer container with parchment between the layers. They keep for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before serving. You can also freeze the undipped balls and dip them when you are ready.

Common Mistakes

• Using natural peanut butter. It makes the dough oily and the balls hard to shape.
• Skipping the chill. Soft balls fall apart in the warm coating.
• Overheating the coating. It turns thick and grainy, so melt it gently in short bursts.
• Adding water. Even a drop can cause white chocolate to seize.
• Adding too much sugar. It makes the center dry and crumbly. Add more peanut butter instead.
• Waiting to decorate. Sprinkles will not stick once the coating has set.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are they called snowballs?

The white chocolate coating makes the round peanut butter balls look like little snowballs, especially when rolled in coconut or sprinkled with white sugar.

Can I use chocolate chips for the coating?

Yes. Semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips work, though white chocolate gives the classic snowy look.

Why is my dough crumbly?

It may need more fat. Mix in a spoonful of peanut butter or softened butter until the dough holds together.

Do these need to be refrigerated?

For best results, yes. They keep their shape and flavor best when chilled, though they can sit out for a few hours.

Can I make them without butter?

Some recipes leave the butter out, but it adds richness and helps the balls hold together. Extra peanut butter is a possible substitute, though it has not been tested here.

Are these gluten-free?

The ingredients here are naturally gluten-free, but check labels on the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and candy melts.

Recipe Background

Peanut butter balls are a classic American holiday candy, often called buckeyes when dipped in chocolate with a small circle of peanut butter left showing. The snowball version swaps the chocolate for white chocolate or candy coating for a wintery look, and it has become a staple of Christmas candy trays and cookie exchanges. Published versions differ slightly in their ingredients, including graham cracker crumbs or crushed cereal, and in the coating, and this Poulef version keeps things simple with peanut butter, butter, and powdered sugar.

Conclusion

Peanut butter snowballs are simple, sweet, and always a hit. They look festive, taste rich and nostalgic, and need no oven, which makes them perfect for busy holiday baking. Make a batch, tuck a few into a tin for a friend, and save the recipe for every cookie season to come.

More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love

• Buttery Pecan Snowball Cookies
• No-Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Clusters
• 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies
• 4-Ingredient Chocolate Oat Fudge Bars
• No-Bake Peanut Butter Greek Yogurt Soft Fudge Donut Cups

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Nutritional Information

Nutrition is an approximate estimate per snowball (30 snowballs), calculated from standard ingredient values. Actual numbers will vary with the brands you use.

Nutrient	Amount per Serving
Calories	140
Carbohydrates	12g
Protein	3g
Fat	9g
Saturated Fat	4g
Cholesterol	5mg
Sodium	64mg
Fiber	1g
Sugar	11g

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