Peanut Butter Balls Recipe: Easy No-Bake Cream Cheese Treat

Whether you’re sneaking a treat from the fridge after dinner or need a no-fuss party dessert that gets all the praise, these Peanut Butter Balls are your go-to sweet fix. They’re quick, delicious, and packed with creamy peanut butter goodness—just like Grandma used to make, but with a modern twist (hello, cream cheese and chocolate!).

I still remember rolling these treats as a kid with my nonna in her sunny kitchen. We’d get peanut butter everywhere, argue over who got to lick the spatula, and end up with more “samples” eaten than saved. What makes these bites extra special? They’re no-bake, only need 3 ingredients, and have a cookie dough-like texture that melts in your mouth.

Need more inspiration for easy desserts? Follow us on Facebook for more easy dessert recipes or check out our Sweet Treats board for more indulgent inspiration—we’ve got something for every craving!

Recipe Summary

These 3-ingredient peanut butter balls are creamy, rich, and have that magical sweet-salty balance we all love. They’re bite-sized, freezable, and ideal for:

• Gifting
• Parties & potlucks
• Lunchboxes
• Make-ahead treats

Yield: 25 peanut butter balls
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 5 hours
Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
Calories per Ball: 132 kcal

Ingredients

To make these no-bake peanut butter truffles, you’ll need:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (don’t use natural or it’ll get too runny)
• 6 oz softened cream cheese
• 2½ cups powdered sugar, sifted

Optional Add-Ins:

• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Melted semi-sweet chocolate chips (for coating)
• Coconut flakes, mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, or crushed Oreo cookies for topping

Ingredient Substitutions

Allergies or dietary tweaks? No problem:

• Nut-free? Try sunflower seed butter.
• Low-carb? Swap powdered sugar for monk fruit sweetener and use keto peanut butter.
• Texture boost: Add crushed graham crackers or cookie crumbs to mimic cheesecake crust.

How to Make Peanut Butter Balls

Here’s your step-by-step guide—grab a cookie scoop and get rolling!

Cream together: In a mixing bowl, beat peanut butter and cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.

Add sugar: Mix in powdered sugar a little at a time until it’s thick and doughy.

Chill (1st time): Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour to firm up the mixture.

Shape: Use a cookie scoop to form even-sized balls. Roll them smooth with your hands.

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Optional coating: Dip in melted chocolate (melt 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips with 1 tbsp coconut oil).

Add toppings: Sprinkle with crushed Oreos, sprinkles, or coconut before chocolate sets.

Chill (2nd time): Return to fridge for at least 4 hours to fully set.

Tip: Make it a family project! Kids love the rolling and decorating part.

Fun Variations

• Chocolate peanut butter balls: Coat fully in chocolate for a candy-like finish.
• Peanut butter cheesecake balls: Add a little extra cream cheese for tangy decadence.
• Holiday-style: Roll in red and green sprinkles or gold dust for Christmas.
• Tropical twist: Dust with freeze-dried fruit powder or shredded coconut.

Equipment Checklist

These tools make the process even smoother:

• Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
• Mixing bowl
• Parchment paper
• Baking tray
• Cookie scoop (for uniform balls)
• Airtight container (for storing)

Storage Tips

You can absolutely make these ahead—just follow these tips:

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Freeze up to 3 months. Separate layers with parchment paper.

Great for gifting too—pack them in cute boxes with tissue paper!

More Delicious No-Bake Desserts

If you love these, you’ll also want to try:

• Our soft and chewy peanut butter cookies
• The dreamy creamy banana pudding cheesecake bars
• These crowd-pleasing bite-sized cherry pie treats

For even more ideas, explore our Pinterest for creative no-bake ideas.

Expert Tips

• Room-temp cream cheese blends smoother.
• Too soft to roll? Add more sugar or chill longer.
• Sticky hands? Lightly dust with powdered sugar before rolling.
• Want crunch? Roll in chopped nuts or sprinkles.

FAQs

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