Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 24 mini peanut butter cups, unwrapped
- 1 pound chocolate candy coating
Special equipment needed:
- Mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Small cookie scoop or spoon
- Double boiler or microwave-safe bowl
Step-by-step instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the chocolate cake mix according to the package instructions and bake in a 9x13 inch pan.
3. Let the cake cool completely, then crumble it into a large mixing bowl.
4. Add the peanut butter, softened butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and salt to the bowl.
5. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to mix the ingredients until well combined and smooth.
6. Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to form the mixture into 24 balls.
7. Press a mini peanut butter cup into the center of each ball and reshape the ball around it.
8. Place the cake balls on the prepared baking sheet and freeze for 15 minutes.
9. Melt the chocolate candy coating in a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl according to the package instructions.
10. Dip each cake ball into the melted chocolate, tapping off any excess.
11. Place the cake balls back on the baking sheet and let the chocolate coating harden.
12. Serve the peanut butter cup cake balls chilled or at room temperature.
Time:
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
5. Temperature:
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Serving size:
This recipe makes 24 peanut butter cup cake balls.
Nutritional information:
Each cake ball contains approximately 250 calories, 13g fat, 31g carbohydrates, 2g fiber, 23g sugar, and 3g protein.
Substitutions for ingredients:
- You can use any flavor of cake mix instead of chocolate.
- Creamy almond or cashew butter can be substituted for peanut butter.
- Salted butter can be used instead of unsalted butter.
- White chocolate or candy melts can be used instead of chocolate candy coating.
Variations:
- Roll the cake balls in crushed peanuts or chocolate sprinkles before the chocolate coating hardens.
- Use dark chocolate or milk chocolate candy coating instead of semi-sweet chocolate.
- Add 1/2 cup of chopped peanuts to the cake mixture for extra crunch.
Tips and tricks:
- If the cake mixture is too sticky to roll into balls, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes before shaping.
- Use a toothpick to dip the cake balls into the chocolate coating for easier handling.
- Store the peanut butter cup cake balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Storage instructions:
Store the peanut butter cup cake balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Reheating instructions:
These cake balls are best served chilled or at room temperature and do not need to be reheated.
Presentation ideas:
Arrange the peanut butter cup cake balls on a platter or cake stand and sprinkle with crushed peanuts or chocolate sprinkles.
Garnishes:
Crushed peanuts or chocolate sprinkles can be used as a garnish.
Pairings:
Serve these cake balls with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot coffee.
Suggested side dishes:
These cake balls are a sweet treat and do not require any side dishes.
Troubleshooting advice:
- If the cake mixture is too dry, add a tablespoon of milk at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
- If the chocolate coating is too thick, add a teaspoon of vegetable oil at a time until it thins out.
Food safety advice:
Make sure to wash your hands and any utensils or equipment used in the recipe to prevent contamination. Store the cake balls in the refrigerator and discard any that have been left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Food history:
Cake balls originated in the southern United States and are made by combining crumbled cake with frosting or other ingredients to form bite-sized balls.
Flavor profiles:
These peanut butter cup cake balls are rich and chocolatey with a creamy peanut butter center.
Serving suggestions:
Serve these cake balls as a dessert or snack.
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