Pro Tips for Best Results
For the absolute best texture, I tested chilling the dough for 15 minutes before rolling. It made the rolling process much less sticky and resulted in perfectly round snowballs. However, if your kitchen is cool, you can often skip this. Just have a little extra powdered sugar on hand for dusting your palms if the dough starts to stick to you more than itself.
I’ve also learned that the quality of your powdered sugar matters. Some brands contain more cornstarch than others. If your final coat of sugar seems to be “melting” or absorbing too quickly into the dough, that’s the cornstarch at work. It’s not a problem, but if you want a pristine white finish for a party, roll them just before serving or use a brand you know gives a stable, white coat.
Finally, if your dough seems too dry and crumbly to roll, don’t panic. This usually means your peanut butter was a bit thick. Just add a teaspoon of melted (and cooled) butter and mix it in. If it seems too soft and greasy, add another tablespoon or two of powdered sugar or graham cracker crumbs until it’s workable. This recipe is wonderfully adaptable.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest mistake I made early on was using cold butter. I thought I could speed up the process, but cold butter simply will not incorporate smoothly into the peanut butter. You’ll have tiny flecks of butter throughout, and the dough won’t come together properly. “Softened” means it yields easily to the touch but isn’t shiny or melted. Plan ahead for this one step—it makes a monumental difference.
Another pitfall is over-mixing after adding the powdered sugar. Once the dough comes together, stop mixing. Over-beating can make the peanut butter release more oils, leading to a greasy feel. And when rolling, resist the urge to make giant snowballs. Keeping them to about one inch ensures they set properly and are the ideal one-bite treat. My first batch had some doubles, and their centers remained too soft.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving these on a chilled platter, perhaps with a dusting of extra powdered sugar for a fresh wintery look. They are rich, so I usually pair them with a hot, bitter beverage to balance the sweetness. A strong cup of black coffee or an espresso is my personal favorite—the bitterness cuts through the sugar and highlights the peanut butter flavor beautifully.
For a festive party spread, I create a dessert board with these snowballs as the centerpiece. I’ll surround them with other bite-sized treats like chocolate-dipped pretzels, fresh berries, and some salty mixed nuts. The variety of textures and flavors makes the snowballs stand out even more, and their simple elegance always gets compliments.
On a cozy movie night, I simply pile them into a small bowl and let everyone help themselves. They are the ultimate no-fuss, shareable dessert. I’ve even been known to crumble one over a bowl of vanilla ice cream for an incredible peanut butter sundae—it’s a decadent twist that turns a simple scoop into something spectacular.
Variations & Customizations
If you’re a chocolate lover like I am, there are endless ways to adapt this base. My favorite variation is to roll the formed balls in finely crushed chocolate graham crackers or Oreo crumbs instead of powdered sugar for a “dirty snowball” effect. You can also dip the chilled balls halfway into melted chocolate (add a teaspoon of coconut oil to the chocolate for a smooth dip) and let them set on parchment paper.
For a fun crunch, try mixing in a quarter cup of finely chopped peanuts or even rice cereal into the dough itself. It changes the texture in a wonderful way. I’ve also made a “Buckeye” version by omitting the final powdered sugar roll and instead poking a toothpick into each ball, chilling them solid, then dipping just the tops into melted dark chocolate, leaving a circle of peanut butter showing.
Feeling adventurous? Swap out the vanilla extract for almond extract for a different aromatic note, or add a sprinkle of cinnamon to the powdered sugar for rolling. For a holiday twist, I once rolled them in a mix of powdered sugar and very finely crushed candy canes. The peppermint and peanut butter was a surprising and delightful combination that my friends still ask me to make every December.
How to Store, Freeze & Reheat
Storing these is a breeze. I keep them in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay perfectly fresh and maintain their ideal texture for up to a week. If you need to stack them, place a sheet of parchment or wax paper between the layers to prevent them from sticking together and marring that beautiful powdered sugar coating.
They also freeze magnificently for up to three months. I place the fully set snowballs on a baking sheet to flash-freeze for an hour, then transfer them to a freezer bag or container. This prevents them from freezing into one giant block. When the craving hits, I just pull out as many as I need and let them thaw in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. Do not thaw them at room temperature, as condensation will make the sugar coating wet and messy.
Conclusion
These Peanut Butter Snowballs have earned a permanent spot in my recipe repertoire, not just for their delicious simplicity, but for the happy, cozy feeling they bring to my kitchen every time I make them. They are a reminder that the most satisfying treats often come from the simplest processes. I hope you’ll give them a try and experience a little bit of that magic for yourself. Happy rolling, and don’t forget to lick the spoon