No-bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites (or balls!)
I love a no-bake treat. And these ones take very similar to those peanut butter cups we all love so much. I make these with pretzel crumbs because I love the extra complexity of flavor. They are still delicious if you use graham cracker crumbs.
This works beautifully pressed into a square baking dish and cut into small squares. Or you can form them into little balls, butttt see the note at the end of the recipe if making them into balls. I hope you love them!
No-bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites (or balls!)
Ingredients:
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons peanut butter, divided
2 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup melted unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
1 cup pretzel crumbs or graham cracker crumbs
1 cup dark chocolate chips
Directions:
Line a 9 inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix together 1 cup of peanut butter with the powdered sugar, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth.
Add in the pretzel crumbs (or graham cracker crumbs). Using a silicone spatula, mix until fully incorporated. The mixture should hold its shape when pressed.
Press the peanut butter mixture into the pan. Smooth and level it using an off-set spatula or the back of a spoon. Pop it in the refrigerator to firm up for about 30 minutes.
In a small bowl, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of peanut butter and the chocolate chips. Melt them in the microwave in 15 second intervals until fully smooth. Let it cool slightly.
Take the peanut butter mixture out of the refrigerator and pour the just-warm chocolate mixture over the top. Smooth the chocolate over the surface using an off-set spatula or the back of a spoon.
Pop it back in the fridge until the chocolate is firm.
Cut into small pieces and store in the refrigerator. Take the out of the fridge about 10-15 minutes before serving.
Note: You can also roll the peanut butter mixture into little balls. Chill them for about 30 minutes and then coat them in the melted chocolate/peanut butter like truffles. Place the truffles on a parchment covered cookie sheet and top with sprinkles or flaky salt. Pop in the fridge until the chocolate sets. They look really cute but are a bit fiddley to make! You might have to reheat the chocolate slightly about halfway through the coating process.