Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls

Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls
I think I originally got this recipe from Allrecipes.com, but I don't know for sure if this is the right link.  I've modified it a little bit because they were much too sweet with all the sugar.  These are things I only make at Christmastime, mostly because they're pretty labor intensive with all the chocolate dipping.  People love them, though, and they did win a blue ribbon at the 2008 Iowa State Fair.  
If you're looking for a peanut butter ball recipe, I think this is one of the best.  I wish I could say more, but you've just got to try them and let them speak for themselves.


Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls

Ingredients
  • 1 ½ cups chunky peanut butter
  • 3 T creamy peanut butter
  • 1 stick of butter, softened, but cool
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 3 cups milk chocolate chips
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable shortening (only if not tempering chocolate)
  •  1/3 cup salted peanuts, halved, for garnish (optional)
Directions
1. Mix together peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, and graham cracker crumbs.  Shape into 1-inch balls.  Refrigerate for about 1 hour.
2.  Melt chocolate chips and shortening in top of double boiler (or melt and temper the chocolate). Dip balls into chocolate and set on waxed paper.  (Use a toothpick to poke and dip each ball, or else use two forks.) Garnish with a ½ peanut on top.  Allow chocolate to firm up before serving.
Makes about 56 balls