The Ultimate Chocolate Peanut Butter Footballs (Easy Game Day Treat!)

Imagine the most popular dessert at any party: a creamy, dreamy chocolate peanut butter ball. Now, imagine it’s shaped into an adorable, bite-sized football, perfectly decorated for the big game. That, my friends, is the winning, crowd-pleasing magic of these Chocolate Peanut Butter Footballs. They are, without a doubt, the cutest and most delicious treat you will bring to your game day celebration.

Get ready to create the most popular, talked-about treat at your party—a simple, no-bake dessert that looks as good as it tastes.

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Why These Peanut Butter Footballs are a Touchdown!

You are going to be so impressed with how easy it is to create these adorable and delicious treats. They are a guaranteed party favorite. Here’s why you have to make them:

• The Ultimate Game Day Theme: The cute football shape and piped-on laces make these the absolute perfect dessert for any football party, tailgate, or Super Bowl celebration.
• Irresistible Chocolate & Peanut Butter Flavor: This classic, beloved flavor combination is a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike.
• A Simple, No-Bake Recipe: The filling comes together in one bowl with no baking required. It’s a fun and easy project that even kids can help with.
• Perfect for Making Ahead: These treats need to chill to set up, which makes them the ideal dessert to prepare a day or two in advance of your party.
• Creamy, Dreamy Texture: The filling is perfectly soft, sweet, and creamy, with a wonderful, snappy chocolate coating that provides the perfect textural contrast.

Recipe Snapshot

Your Shopping List for the Big Game

This recipe uses a handful of simple pantry staples to create a party masterpiece. Here’s what you’ll need:

→ For the Peanut Butter Filling

• 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter → A classic, commercial brand like Jif or Skippy works best here for the right texture.
• ½ cup unsalted butter → Softened to room temperature.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract → Enhances all the sweet flavors.
• 3 cups powdered sugar → Sifted, to create a smooth, firm filling.

→ For the Chocolate Coating & Decoration

• 1 (12 oz) bag of chocolate chips → Semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips both work wonderfully.
• 2 tablespoons shortening → This is the secret to a smooth, glossy chocolate coating that’s easy to work with.
• White sparkle gel or icing → For piping the iconic football laces.

Let’s Make Footballs! Your Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to create the cutest dessert for your next party? This no-bake recipe is a blast to make.

Part 1: The Peanut Butter Filling

1. Prep Your Pan: Line a large baking sheet with waxed paper. This is essential for preventing the chocolate from sticking later on.
2. Mix the Filling: In a large bowl, mix the creamy peanut butter, softened butter, and vanilla together until well combined.
3. Add the Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. By the third cup, the mixture will become very stiff. It’s easiest to switch from a spoon to your clean hands to fully incorporate the final cup of sugar.
4. Shape the Footballs: Pinch off a small amount of the mixture (about a tablespoon) and roll it into a ball, then gently shape it into a small football. Place the footballs on your prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all the dough is used.

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Part 2: Dip, Decorate, and Chill

5. Melt the Chocolate: Using a double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, melt the chocolate chips and the shortening together, stirring until completely smooth.
6. Dip the Footballs: One at a time, drop a peanut butter football into the melted chocolate. Use a fork or a candy dipping tool to lift it out, allowing the excess chocolate to drip off.
7. Chill to Set: Carefully transfer the chocolate-coated football back to the waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Once all the footballs are dipped, place the entire sheet in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes, until the chocolate coating is completely firm.
8. Decorate and Serve: Use the white sparkle gel or a small tube of white icing to pipe the laces onto each football. Allow the icing to set, then serve and watch them disappear!

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Football Shaped Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

These Football Shaped Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls are the perfect no-bake dessert for the big game! A creamy, delicious peanut butter filling is dipped in chocolate and decorated to look like little footballs. A guaranteed party touchdown!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 24

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 268

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Filling:

• 1.5 cups creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup butter softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 cups powdered sugar

For the Coating:

• 1 12 oz bag of chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 1 tube white sparkle gel or icing for decorating

Equipment

• Baking sheet
• Waxed paper
• Large Bowl
• Double boiler or heatproof bowl and saucepan
• Wilton candy dipper or fork

Method

 

1. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. In a large bowl, mix peanut butter, softened butter, and vanilla together.
2. Slowly add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well. Use your hands to incorporate the final cup of sugar until a stiff dough forms.
3. Pinch off a small amount of dough, roll into a ball, then shape into a football. Place on the prepared cookie sheet. Repeat for all the dough.
4. Melt the chocolate chips and shortening in a double boiler until smooth.
5. One at a time, drop each peanut butter football into the melted chocolate, lift it out with a fork, and let the excess drip off. Transfer to the waxed paper.
6. Once all footballs are coated, refrigerate the cookie sheet for 15-30 minutes until the chocolate is completely hardened.
7. Use the white sparkle gel to pipe laces onto each football. Allow to dry and enjoy!

Notes

Use Standard Peanut Butter: For the best texture, use a commercial creamy peanut butter like Jif or Skippy, as natural peanut butters can be too oily.

Shortening is Key: Adding shortening to the chocolate ensures a smooth, glossy coating that’s easy to work with.

Make-Ahead & Storage: These are perfect to make ahead! Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Perfect Footballs

These simple secrets will help you achieve flawless, delicious results every time.

1. Use Standard Creamy Peanut Butter. For the best texture that holds its shape, it’s best to use a commercial brand like Jif or Skippy. Natural peanut butters that separate can sometimes be too oily and make the filling too soft.
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Use Your Hands. The peanut butter filling gets very thick and stiff once all the powdered sugar is added. The easiest and most effective way to mix it thoroughly at the end is by kneading it with your hands.
3. Shortening is the Secret to Smooth Chocolate. Don’t skip adding the shortening to your melting chocolate! It helps to thin the chocolate slightly, creating a smoother, glossier coating that sets up perfectly and makes dipping so much easier.
4. The Fork Trick for Dipping. If you don’t have a special candy dipping tool, a regular dinner fork works perfectly. Just place the football on the tines of the fork, dip it, and then gently tap the fork on the side of the bowl to let the excess chocolate drip off.
5. Chill Before Decorating. Make sure the chocolate coating is completely firm and set before you try to pipe on the white laces. This will ensure your lines are clean and crisp and don’t smudge.

Keep It Fresh! Storing Your Game Day Treats

These are the perfect make-ahead party dessert. Here’s how to store them properly.

• Refrigerator: Store the finished footballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep beautifully for up to 2 weeks. They are delicious served chilled or at room temperature.
• Freezing: These freeze exceptionally well! Place the finished, set footballs in a freezer-safe, airtight container, layering them between sheets of waxed paper to prevent sticking. They will keep for up to 3 months. Let them thaw in the fridge for a few hours before serving.

FAQs: Your Peanut Butter Ball Questions, Answered!

Can I use crunchy peanut butter?

You can, but it will change the texture of the filling and may make it a little more difficult to get a smooth football shape. For the classic, creamy center, smooth peanut butter is recommended.

What if I don’t have a double boiler?

No problem! The easiest alternative is to place a heatproof glass or metal bowl over a small saucepan filled with about an inch of simmering water. The steam will gently heat the bowl and melt the chocolate perfectly. You can also melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring well between each one.

What can I use instead of shortening?

If you don’t have shortening, you can add about a teaspoon of a neutral-flavored oil, like coconut oil or vegetable oil, to your melting chocolate. This will help to smooth it out for easier dipping.

My peanut butter mixture is too crumbly/too soft. What can I do?

If the mixture is too dry and crumbly, you can add another tablespoon of peanut butter or softened butter to help it come together. If it’s too soft to hold its shape (this can happen in a warm kitchen), just chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes to firm it up before shaping the footballs.

Final Thoughts: Your Winning Dessert Play

There is such a fun and festive feeling that comes from creating a themed treat that is as delicious as it is cute. These Chocolate Peanut Butter Footballs are a guaranteed touchdown at any gathering. They are a celebration of a classic flavor combination and the perfect, easy dessert to share with friends and family during the big game. I hope they bring a lot of cheers and happy faces to your party. Enjoy!