Cherry Peanut Butter Balls
Country Woman Christmas
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Years ago, I saved this festive recipe and made it only at Christmastime. But my grandkids loved the sweet combination of peanut butter, chocolate and cherries so much that now I mix up a batch anytime they ask or visit!
SERVINGS: 24
CATEGORY: Dessert
METHOD: Chill
TIME: Prep: 30 min. + chilling
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter (no substitutes), softened
- 1 cup peanut butter*
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups confectioners' sugar
- 24 to 26 maraschino cherries with stems
- Additional confectioners' sugar
- 2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup shortening
Directions:
In a small mixing bowl, cream the butter, peanut butter and vanilla; mix well. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Pat cherries dry with paper towel. Dust hands with additional confectioners' sugar. Wrap each cherry with a rounded tablespoon full of peanut butter mixture; shape into a ball. (Peanut butter mixture may need to be refrigerated occasionally while rolling cherries.) Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip peanut butter balls in chocolate; place on waxed paper. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until set. Yield: about 2 dozen. *Editor's Note: Reduced-fat or generic brands of peanut butter are not recommended for this recipe.