Celebrate National Peanut Butter Lovers Day with Tasty Peanut Butter Balls

I'm quite sure that it may surprise you to know that today is National Peanut Butter Lovers Day.  Who doesn't love peanut butter, right?  To celebrate the day, I'm sharing 7 Ways to Use Peanut Butter Today as well as my all-time favorite peanut butter recipe for peanut butter balls. 

 

 

 

7 Ways to Use Peanut Butter Today

1. Add to smoothies
2. Spread it on bananas
3. Swipe it on crackers
4. Add it to sauce when cooking Asian-inspired dishes
5. PB&J ... need I say more?
6. Make an ice cream pie with it.  Start with a graham cracker crust.  Then spread fudge and peanut butter on top.  Next spoon in softened vanilla ice cream.  Swirl more fudge in the ice cream and freeze for 1 hour.  Remove from freezer and top with your favorite whipped topping and chocolate shavings. 
7. Umm, pretend your 5 years old and just use your finger! 

Peanut butter balls recipes are a bit like chili and carrot cake recipes ... everyone has their favorite family concoction which is, of course, "the best" ever made.  My favorite peanut ball recipe is so simple.  Over the years, our family has made hundreds of these little gems.  We've had as much fun making them as eating and gifting them!   

Ingredients

2 cups creamy peanut butter
1/2 c. butter, softened
3 3/4 c. confectioners sugar
3 c. rice crisp cereal
1 T. vanilla extract
4 c. or 24 oz. semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 c. plus 1 t. shortening, divided
1/3 c. white baking chips or dark chocolate chips

Directions

1. Mix peanut butter and butter with a hand mixer until blended.  Add vanilla extract and mix.  Gradually mix in confectioners sugar. Stir in cereal. Shape into 1" balls and refrigerate.
2. Melt chocolate chips and 1/4 c. shortening in microwave.  Stir until smooth.  Dip balls in chocolate and allow to dry on wax paper. 
3. Melt white baking chips and 1 t. shortening in microwave.  Stir until smooth.  Drizzle on top of the candies and let them set before placing in container for storage. 

Spice it up!

• After tipping the balls in chocolate roll them in nuts, coconut or chocolate chips, sprinkle them with brightly colored sprinkles or a dash of cayenne if you really feel advantageous! 
• Give them as a gift by placing them in a beautiful box or cellophane bag, secured with ribbon.
• Spear them with a popsicle stick, making peanut butter pops.
• Make a centerpiece for your party table; make a peanut butter pop bouquet.  Your guests will love it!