Butterfinger Balls: The Most Irresistible Holiday Treat You’ll Ever Make
Every holiday season, there are a handful of recipes that become absolute legends in the kitchen — ones that disappear from the dessert table before you even have a chance to grab one yourself. These Butterfinger Balls are exactly that kind of treat. With their silky, smooth chocolate coating and that unmistakable buttery, peanut-buttery crunch hiding inside, they have a way of winning over absolutely everyone who tries them.
The best part? They are surprisingly simple to make. You don’t need to be a seasoned baker or spend hours in the kitchen to pull these off. With just a handful of ingredients and a little bit of patience while they set, you can easily make a batch — or even several batches — to share with family, friends, and neighbors all through the holiday season. Once you make them the first time, you’ll understand why some home cooks make over a hundred of these every single Christmas.
Ingredients
- 1 package (about 10 full-size bars) Butterfinger candy bars, finely crushed
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 cups milk chocolate chips or melting wafers
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening (to thin the chocolate for dipping)
Method
- Begin by crushing your Butterfinger candy bars into fine crumbs. You can do this by placing them in a zip-lock bag and rolling over them firmly with a rolling pin, or by pulsing them in a food processor until they resemble coarse crumbs. Set them aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and peanut butter until the mixture is completely smooth and well combined.
- Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar to the peanut butter mixture, stirring as you go, until a thick, dough-like consistency forms.
- Fold in the crushed Butterfinger crumbs until they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Using a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon, portion out the mixture and roll each piece between your palms to form smooth, round balls. Place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or into mini cupcake liners set in a muffin tin.
- Once all of your balls are shaped, place them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to firm up. This step is important — it makes dipping them in chocolate much easier and helps them hold their shape beautifully.
- When the balls are nearly done chilling, melt your chocolate chips and coconut oil together. You can do this in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, or using a double boiler on the stovetop. Stir until the chocolate is completely smooth and glossy.
- Remove the chilled balls from the freezer. Using a spoon or a dipping tool, coat each ball generously in the melted chocolate, letting any excess drip off before placing them back into the cupcake liners or onto the parchment-lined sheet.
- Allow the chocolate coating to set fully at room temperature or speed up the process by placing them back in the refrigerator for about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Once the chocolate is fully set and hardened, your Butterfinger Balls are ready to serve, gift, or store.
Tips for the Best Results
Make sure your butter is fully softened before mixing — cold butter will make it harder to achieve that smooth, creamy filling. If your mixture feels too sticky to roll into balls, pop it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before shaping. Adding a small amount of coconut oil to your melting chocolate is a game-changer for achieving that perfectly smooth, glossy coating without any fuss.
Storage and Make-Ahead Advice
These Butterfinger Balls store beautifully, which makes them an ideal treat to prepare ahead of time for the holidays. Keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. They can also be frozen for up to two months — simply thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before serving. Layer them between sheets of parchment paper if stacking to prevent them from sticking together.
Why Everyone Loves Them
There is something genuinely magical about the combination of peanut butter, buttery toffee crunch, and smooth chocolate all in one little bite-sized treat. They have just the right balance of sweetness, richness, and texture — and because they are served in individual cupcake liners, they look absolutely stunning on a holiday dessert platter. Whether you are making a small batch for your family or going all out and making a hundred for a cookie exchange, these little bites of joy never fail to impress.
