Hey everyone, Jason Griffith here! If you’re anything like me, you probably have a soft spot for that classic candy bar with its distinctive crispy, peanut buttery center and chocolatey coating. Today, we’re taking those beloved flavors and transforming them into an even easier, no-bake confection: Butterfinger Balls. These delightful, bite-sized treats are packed with creamy peanut butter, crunchy candy, and a rich chocolate coating. They’re incredibly easy to make, beautifully addictive, and perfect for satisfying that sweet and crunchy craving!
Why I Love This Recipe
What’s not to love about a dessert that perfectly captures the essence of a favorite candy bar in a no-bake, easy-to-make form? I’m completely obsessed with Butterfinger Balls because they deliver that signature crispy, peanut buttery, and chocolatey goodness in every bite. They’re surprisingly simple to prepare, yet they look and taste incredibly impressive, making them fantastic for holiday cookie platters, homemade gifts, parties, or a special treat for yourself. The texture of the crispy filling is heavenly, and dipping them in chocolate is a fun, rewarding process. Plus, being a no-bake recipe means less fuss and more time enjoying these delightful morsels!
The Allure of Candy Bar Inspired Desserts
Candy bars like the Butterfinger, with its unique flaky peanut butter core, have a strong nostalgic appeal and distinct flavor profiles that resonate with many. The idea of transforming these iconic flavors into homemade desserts has become a popular trend in baking and confectionery. This allows home cooks to recreate beloved tastes with fresh ingredients and often in more convenient forms.
“Butterfinger Balls” or “Butterfinger Truffles” are a prime example of this. They typically leverage crushed Butterfinger candy bars (or a combination of peanut butter and crispy cereal to mimic the texture) mixed into a creamy base, then enrobed in chocolate. This recipe captures that irresistible sweet and salty balance, along with the characteristic crunch, all without needing to turn on an oven. It’s a creative and delicious way to enjoy a favorite candy bar in a new, elegant, and perfectly portioned format, ideal for sharing and satisfying serious sweet cravings.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create these crunchy and decadent Butterfinger Balls:
For the Butterfinger Filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (full-fat brick style recommended)
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 1/2 cups crispy rice cereal (like Rice Krispies)
- 1 1/2 cups Butterfinger candy bars, finely crushed (about 6-8 fun-size bars or 3-4 regular bars)
For the Chocolate Coating:
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or dark chocolate chips)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening (optional, for smoother melting)
For Garnish (Optional):
- 1/4 cup Butterfinger candy bar, coarsely crushed
Swaps and Notes
- Cream Cheese: Using full-fat brick-style cream cheese is essential for the best firm texture and rich flavor in the filling. Make sure it’s completely softened to room temperature for a smooth, lump-free result.
- Peanut Butter: Creamy peanut butter works best for a smooth base. Avoid natural peanut butter with oil separation as it can make the mixture too oily.
- Powdered Sugar: Sifting the powdered sugar is crucial to avoid lumps in your filling.
- Crispy Rice Cereal: This provides that signature light, airy crunch characteristic of a Butterfinger. Don’t skip it!
- Butterfinger Candy Bars: The actual candy bars are essential here! Crushing them finely ensures they integrate well into the filling, and coarsely crushing some for garnish adds great texture and visual appeal.
- Chocolate: Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips are classic for coating. The coconut oil or shortening helps create a smoother, more fluid coating, making dipping easier.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall sweet flavors.
Steps for the Recipe
Let’s make these easy and decadent no-bake Butterfinger Balls!
- Prepare Candy Bars: Finely crush 1 1/2 cups of Butterfinger candy bars (a food processor works great, or place in a Ziploc bag and crush with a rolling pin). Coarsely crush the additional 1/4 cup for garnish later. Set aside.
- Prepare Filling Base: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until very smooth and creamy. Add the creamy peanut butter and vanilla extract; beat until fully combined.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating on low speed until fully incorporated and the mixture is thick and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Fold in Crunch: Gently fold in the crispy rice cereal and the 1 1/2 cups of finely crushed Butterfinger candy bars until evenly distributed and the mixture is cohesive.
- Chill Mixture: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours, or until the mixture is firm enough to handle and roll into balls. This chilling step is crucial!
- Form Balls: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop out small portions of the chilled mixture (about 1 tablespoon each) and roll them into smooth 1-inch balls between your palms. Place the rolled balls on the prepared baking sheet.
- Chill Again (Crucial for Coating): Place the baking sheet with the rolled balls in the freezer for 15-20 minutes, or in the refrigerator for at least 30-60 minutes, until they are very firm. This prevents them from melting when dipped in warm chocolate.
- Melt Chocolate: While the balls are chilling, melt the chocolate chips (and optional coconut oil/shortening). Place in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until the chocolate is smooth and completely melted. Alternatively, melt over a double boiler.
- Coat Balls: Remove the firm balls from the freezer/refrigerator. Using a fork or a candy dipping tool, dip each ball into the melted chocolate, turning to coat completely. Tap the fork gently against the side of the bowl to remove excess chocolate.
- Garnish & Set: Immediately transfer the coated ball back to the parchment-lined baking sheet. While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle with the coarsely crushed Butterfinger candy bar for garnish. Repeat with the remaining balls.
- Final Chill: Return the coated balls to the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until the chocolate coating is completely set and firm.
Tips for Success
- Properly Softened Cream Cheese: This is the most important tip! It ensures your filling is smooth and lump-free.
- Chill, Chill, Chill: Chilling the mixture before rolling and before coating is absolutely critical for easy handling and preventing a sticky mess. Don’t rush this step!
- Sift Powdered Sugar: Prevents lumps in your filling, ensuring a silky-smooth texture.
- Crush Butterfingers Finely: For the main filling, finely crushed pieces integrate best. For the topping, a coarser crush adds texture.
- Melt Chocolate Gently: Overheated chocolate can seize or become thick. Melt slowly and stir often. The coconut oil/shortening helps maintain fluidity.
- Work Quickly When Dipping: The cold balls will make the chocolate set fast. Be efficient.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
Butterfinger Balls are a delightful stand-alone treat, but they’re also fantastic as part of a larger dessert spread:
- Dessert Platter: Arrange them artfully on a platter with other no-bake delights or holiday cookies. They’d look great alongside some S’mores Bark for a mix of textures.
- Coffee Break: Perfect as a sweet and crunchy bite with your afternoon coffee or tea.
- Gifts: Package a few in small decorative boxes or bags for thoughtful homemade gifts during the holiday season or any time of year.
- Celebrations: A fun and unique addition to birthday parties, potlucks, or any gathering where you want a bite-sized indulgence. For a whimsical touch, they could even fit alongside Unicorn Poke Cake.
Storage and Leftover Tips
Butterfinger Balls are best stored chilled.
- Refrigerate: Store truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks. Layer with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Freezing: These balls freeze beautifully! Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 1-2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving, or enjoy them frozen for a firmer, crunchier treat!
More Recipes You Will Love
If you enjoyed creating these decadent no-bake truffles, you might also like these other sweet indulgences:
- For a truly indulgent chocolatey treat, you have to try Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie Bombs.
- If you’re a fan of classic peanut butter and chocolate, my recipe for The Best Peanut Butter Brownies I’ve Ever Made (and I’ve Made a Lot) is a definite winner.
- For a refreshing no-bake option with a minty twist, don’t miss Grasshopper Pie.
- And for another easy no-bake dessert perfect for summer, try Ice Cream Sandwich Cake.
Final Thoughts
Butterfinger Balls are a testament to how simple ingredients, combined with that iconic candy bar crunch, can create a truly spectacular and effortlessly decadent dessert. They’re creamy, crunchy, sweet, and utterly irresistible – guaranteed to be a hit with everyone who tries them. Get ready to experience pure bliss in every bite!
I hope you give this amazing recipe a try and enjoy every sweet, crunchy piece! Let me know in the comments below if these become your new favorite no-bake treat, or what other candy bar-inspired desserts you love to make. I always love hearing from you! Happy no-baking!
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