Pin It Festive, colorful candy balls that resemble holiday ornaments—perfect for gifting or decorating your dessert table.
Ingredients
- Base: 2 cups vanilla wafer cookies, finely crushed, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
- Binding and Flavor: 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened, 3 tbsp milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Coating & Decoration: 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips or candy melts, Assorted holiday sprinkles, colored sugars, or edible glitter, Mini pretzel sticks or licorice strings (for ornament hooks)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a large bowl, combine crushed vanilla wafers, powdered sugar, and chopped nuts.
- Step 2:
- Add peanut butter, softened butter, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until a thick, cohesive dough forms.
- Step 3:
- Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place on a parchment lined tray.
- Step 4:
- Chill balls in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to firm up.
- Step 5:
- Meanwhile, melt white chocolate chips or candy melts according to package instructions.
- Step 6:
- Dip each chilled ball into melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off.
- Step 7:
- Place dipped balls back onto the tray and immediately decorate with holiday sprinkles or edible glitter.
- Step 8:
- Before the coating sets, gently press a mini pretzel stick or small piece of licorice into each ball to create an ornament hook.
- Step 9:
- Refrigerate until set, about 10 minutes. Serve or package for gifting.
Pin It Required Tools
Mixing bowl, Spoon or spatula, Measuring cups and spoons, Baking tray, Parchment paper, Microwave safe bowl (for melting chocolate)
Allergen Information
Contains: Peanuts or tree nuts (depending on nut choice), milk, gluten (unless using gluten free wafers). May contain soy (in chocolate). Always check ingredient labels for potential allergens.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 140, Total Fat: 7 g, Carbohydrates: 17 g, Protein: 2 g
Pin It This festive treat is easy to make and perfect for holiday gifting or decorating your dessert table.
Recipe FAQs
- → What nuts can I use for these candy balls?
Pecans or walnuts work well, but you can also swap peanut butter for almond or sunflower seed butter to accommodate nut allergies.
- → Can I use a different coating than white chocolate?
Yes, dark or milk chocolate coatings can be used for variety and different flavor profiles.
- → How should I store these candy balls?
Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week to keep them fresh.
- → Is it possible to make these candy balls gluten-free?
Yes, using gluten-free vanilla wafers ensures the candy balls remain gluten-free.
- → How do I create the ornament hook effect?
Press a mini pretzel stick or a small piece of licorice gently into the coated candy ball before the chocolate sets.