This weekend confirmed the fact that I am a terrible baker. I saw this beautiful Cherry Cornmeal Upside-Down Cake on Joanne’s blog and knew I wanted to make it. Sadly, the middle never set during baking and it was a mess. If you figure that cake out, more power to you.
These Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Balls require no baking. Heck, it even involves the microwave. Simple.
I made these last weekend when my in-laws were in town. I knew having too many of these laying around would be dangerous, so making them for a crowd was a good thought.
When Mr. Prevention and I were trying to describe the taste, he hit the nail on the head. They taste like Butterfingers! And resemble a buckeye.
Unlike buckeyes, these were a cinch to make. And thanks to the pretzels, they’re much lower in calories! Not guiltless, but light-er.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Balls very slightly adapted from Make Happy
1 1/2 cups pretzels
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 Tbsp butter, softened
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1/8 tsp salt
3 Tbsp powdered sugar
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
paraffin wax (optional)
Directions:
Crush pretzels into small bits using a large ziplock bag or a food processor.
In a small bowl, combine peanut butter, butter, brown sugar, powdered sugar, and salt. Stir until all ingredients are completely blended and smooth.
Prepare a chilling tray–a dinner plate covered with waxed paper works well.
Take about a teaspoon of the peanut butter pretzel mixture into your fingers and gently pat it into a ball with your fingertips. Place the peanut butter balls onto the plate. When you have rolled all the balls, place the entire plate into the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes.
After the peanut butter balls have chilled, prepare your chocolate. Pour the chocolate chips into a small microwaveable bowl, along with a few shavings of paraffin wax (if using – it helps to thin the chocolate and make it nice and smooth, with a nice hard shell). Microwave for 30 seconds and stir. If needed, microwave for another 10 seconds and stir again. Continue until the chips are completely melted, which means they stir easily into smooth, fluid chocolate with no lumps.
Place one peanut butter ball into the melted chocolate and gently roll it around with a fork until completely coated. Remove from the bowl with the fork and place back on the waxed paper plate. Repeat for all other balls. Refrigerator and chill another 30 minutes. Yield: 18 balls.
Nutrition Information (per ball): 100 calories; 6.3 g. fat; 0 mg. cholesterol; 100 mg. sodium; 10.7 g. carbohydrate; 1 g. fiber; 2.3 g. protein
Result: This is a cross between the lazy man’s buckeye and a Butterfinger. As compared to buckeyes, these are a BREEZE to make. With the saltiness of the pretzels, these taste very similar to a Butterfinger and have a great crunch and grainy texture that melts in your mouth. Bonus: because the pretzels are lower in calories than peanut butter and sugar, these are subsequently lower in calories, fat, and sugar than their buckeye counterparts. All good things 
But beware…they are highly addicting! Enjoy!
I am sad to be heading to work this morning – this weekend was perfect and relaxing.
Question: Do you prefer to cook or bake?
Have a great week!
I prefer to bake, but I love the simplicity of these little balls of goodness.
Yummm!
I love butterfingers, I will try this out!
I love to bake! Made a cake for my mom from scratch (like grandma used to make) and though she appreciated it, the whole family teased me about burning things in the microwave! Alas, the cake is gone. These look good, and I love the chocolate and salty taste mixture, ie french fries and chocolate shake.
These sound incredible! Love the peanut butter, chocolate and pretzel combination. Another great recipe!
Tastes similar to a butterfinger?!?! Count me in please!
I prefer to bake, but oddly enough I cook more often than I bake. Strange how that works…
WOW these look SO SO good~!
I prefer to eat
I’ve been out of the blogosphere. Hope all is well!!
You’ve been a world traveler! {{jealous!}}
I love it! Me too, but my roommate would make me rather large and unhealthy with his idea of meals!
I think I would love to make these, but they wouldn’t last long in my house. I am obsessed with sweet and salty…
Obviously you know how much I love buckeyes – the dessert and the collegiate team which holds my heart (even when it pains me). So naturally I am going to need to make these as well. Maybe I’ll even leave a little “eye” on them and present them for the first game of the season.
I thought about doing that, too…but my Illini pride thought better than to do so
Haha I can respect that
I am not sure how you could stop at just one of those! I’ve always loved the salty/sweet combo.
I didn’t win the lottery over the weekend, so I am at work too.
YUM!! I especially love the simple factor. Thats the most important part if you ask me.
Agree 100%! The more I cook, the lazier I’m getting…LOL!
My husband is going to go nuts for these! He loves the peanut-chocolate combo.
Yum! I really want to try these with gluten-free pretzels.
OMG I WANT!
Me too! Haha
Hi Nicole, Hope the easing back to the work week wasn’t too painful. I definitely prefer to cook…but…I do love the smell of baking in the oven! (how’s that for a Libra “fence sitting” answer!?) Have a great day!!!
OMG Bookmarking these! I love to bake, but I think I’m a better cook!
My husband will be thanking you for this recipe!
I hope so
Oh wow, do these look incredible! They really do look like buckeyes but I’m happy that they’re easier to make — I’m bookmarking this recipe and I hope to make them soon! Hope your week is off to a great start, Nicole!
These look delicious!! Though I better not make them because IDK if I could stop at just one!!
It was a struggle for sure!!
I am NOT a baker at all! I just can’t follow a recipe… But I really enjoy cooking and experimenting…
May have to give these balls a try. Maybe I’ll be able not to mess them up…
Saw this on your Facebook when you first posted it and was loving the sound of it. These would definitely be dangerous in my house. Heck, just a jar of PB in my fridge is dangerous. I’m down half a jar already in less than a week….But then again, this is why I’d love these and have to make them for the next time I have guests. Mmmmm!
These look great, and I thought I might make them to have on hand during hurricane Irene. But I was wondering what the powdered sugar is for? It’s listed as an ingredient, but then not used. Just curious, and thanks for all the great recipes!
-sue
Sue, I hope Irene doesn’t cross your path.
The powdered sugar is added with the brown sugar – I just edited the recipe. It helps them from being so sticky so you can easily roll them into balls. Thanks for catching this and letting me know!
Stay safe, and thank you! -Nicole
Totally could go for one (or ten) of these right now. I don’t think I’ve ever admitted what a freak I am for butterfingers, now you know!
OMG I just made these but forgot the butter, oops. I will let you know if they are any good without butter lol
Oh no! How did they turn out? It’s so little butter…if they were good, you just made them a bit healthier
They were awesome!! I love love love them!