Pin These irresistible Butterfinger Cookie Balls are my go-to when I need a sweet fix and do not want to turn on the oven. Every bite is creamy and crunchy with just the right amount of chocolate and peanut butter. They come together quickly with familiar ingredients and deliver that wow factor for parties or a family movie night.
I made these for my son’s school bake sale and they disappeared faster than anything else on the table. Now the kids ask for them at every family get together.
Ingredients
- Graham cracker crumbs: offer a tender base and light sweetness crush your own for freshness
- Creamy peanut butter: brings rich flavor and a silky texture choose a classic processed brand for best binding
- Unsalted butter: amplifies creaminess and helps everything hold together use real butter for smoothness
- Powdered sugar: sweetens and helps the mixture set sift to avoid lumps
- Butterfinger candy bars: chopped up for that unmistakable crunch pick bars with minimal breaking for maximum chunks
- Semisweet or milk chocolate chips: form a glossy coating use higher quality chips for best flavor
- Coconut oil or vegetable shortening: makes the chocolate smoother and easier to dip optional but recommended
- Extra Butterfinger bits: provide a fun crunchy finish and a pop of color save a few bigger bits for topping
Instructions
- Make the Base:
- In a large mixing bowl combine the graham cracker crumbs peanut butter softened butter and powdered sugar. Mix very thoroughly with a sturdy spatula or clean hands until the mixture is fully smooth and all ingredients are blended. This step ensures your cookie balls will hold together and taste evenly delicious.
- Add the Butterfinger Pieces:
- Gently fold in the chopped Butterfinger bars. Turn the mixture repeatedly with a spatula so the candy is evenly spread throughout. This ensures that every bite features Butterfinger crunch.
- Shape into Balls:
- Take a tablespoon of the mixture at a time and roll with your palms into one inch balls. Place each ball on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Keep the balls about a half inch apart so they chill evenly.
- Chill the Balls:
- Transfer the baking sheet to the refrigerator and chill the balls for at least twenty minutes. This helps them firm up so they will not fall apart during dipping.
- Melt the Chocolate:
- While the balls chill add chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave in thirty second bursts stirring well in between each heating session. Stop when the chocolate is completely melted and silky.
- Dip the Balls:
- Remove the cookie balls from the fridge. Working one at a time use a fork or dipping tool to coat each one in the melted chocolate. Tap lightly to remove excess chocolate before returning to the parchment paper. This ensures a neat glossy finish.
- Top with Candy:
- If using extra Butterfinger bits sprinkle them quickly onto the dipped balls before the chocolate begins to set. This adds crunch and a beautiful look.
- Set the Coating:
- Return the tray to the refrigerator for another fifteen minutes until the chocolate is firm and not sticky to the touch. Serve the cookie balls chilled or let them sit at room temperature for a mellow texture balance.
Pin I adore sneaking in extra Butterfinger bits because my mom always loved the added crunch. These treats made their debut for my first solo holiday party and I have amazing memories of everyone gathered around the dessert tray grabbing them before dinner even started.
Storage Tips
Store cookie balls in an airtight container with parchment between layers to prevent sticking. They last up to seven days in the fridge and up to two months in the freezer. For best results let frozen balls thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
Easy Ingredient Substitutions
Switch up the base by using vanilla wafers or digestive biscuits for a slight flavor twist. Sunflower seed butter and nut free chocolate chips transform these into a nut free treat without sacrificing texture. Gluten free graham crackers allow you to cater to friends with dietary needs.
Serving Suggestions
Pile cookie balls onto a tiered dessert tray for parties or wrap them up in cellophane as sweet homemade gifts. They make a stellar addition to holiday cookie swaps and look beautiful with a drizzle of contrasting chocolate on top.
A Little History
This easy treat borrows from American no bake traditions popular since the mid century when creative cooks looked for fast ways to wow a crowd. Butterfingers first appeared in the 1920s and have been a favorite for sweet snack lovers ever since. Combining peanut butter with chocolate truly never goes out of style.
Seasonal Adaptations
Swap in pastel sprinkles or colored candy bits for spring holidays Roll in crushed peppermint candies for a winter spin Add a pinch of pumpkin spice to the base for cozy autumn flavor
Success Stories
After I brought a batch to a summer potluck one friend tried replicating them with leftover candy after Halloween and swore she had never baked a dessert so many people requested to take home. Another neighbor now makes them for every kid’s birthday party with mini flag toothpicks stuck on top.
Freezer Meal Conversion
To keep these on hand for dessert emergencies freeze the finished balls in layers separated by parchment paper inside an airtight zip top bag. No need to thaw the whole batch you can pull out just what you need and enjoy straight from the fridge.
Pin Bring these to your next party and watch them vanish in record time. They are the perfect combo of creamy peanut butter chocolate and Butterfinger crunch.
Recipe Q&A
- → What makes Butterfinger cookie balls so crunchy?
The irresistible crunch comes from chopped Butterfinger bars and the graham cracker base, delivering layers of texture.
- → Can I substitute graham crackers in this treat?
Absolutely! Try vanilla wafers or digestive biscuits to bring a different twist to the flavor and texture.
- → How do I achieve a smooth chocolate coating?
Adding coconut oil or vegetable shortening while melting chocolate chips creates a glossy, even coating for each ball.
- → How should I store these cookie balls?
Store chilled in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, or freeze for longer freshness.
- → Is it possible to make these nut-free?
Yes! Swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter and choose nut-free chocolate for an allergy-friendly treat.
- → How many servings does one batch yield?
A single batch usually makes about 24 cookie balls, perfect for parties or sharing with loved ones.