The first time I made these 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls, my kitchen smelled like every cozy childhood memory rolled into one—sweet peanut butter, warm vanilla undertones from the powdered sugar, and that unmistakable creamy aroma from softened cream cheese. I remember mixing everything together and being genuinely shocked that something so simple could feel so decadent. As I shaped the first batch into little round bites, the dough felt soft and rich in my hands, and once chilled, they were unbelievably smooth and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. It instantly became one of those recipes I knew I’d rely on forever, especially when I needed something quick, nostalgic, and irresistibly creamy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love this recipe because it gives you maximum reward for minimal effort, and honestly, who doesn’t want that in a dessert? You only need three incredibly common ingredients—cream cheese, peanut butter, and powdered sugar—but together they create the creamiest, most luxurious peanut butter candies you’ve ever tasted. From my experience, they’re the kind of treat that makes people think you spent hours in the kitchen, even though it takes just a few minutes to mix everything together. If you want a no-bake dessert that tastes bakery-level but requires almost zero work, these peanut butter balls will absolutely win you over.
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
The beauty of this recipe is that each ingredient truly matters. Softened cream cheese gives the peanut butter balls their iconic silky texture—firm enough to roll, but creamy enough to melt on your tongue. Using creamy peanut butter works best because it blends smoothly without gritty bits, though you can use natural peanut butter if you stir it thoroughly first. And powdered sugar does more than sweeten; it binds everything together and creates that perfectly smooth interior. If you want your peanut butter balls sweeter or firmer, adding a little extra powdered sugar works beautifully.
Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or sturdy spoon
- Rubber spatula
- Baking sheet or plate
- Parchment paper
I’ve made these peanut butter balls with and without a hand mixer, and while a mixer does make the process faster, a spoon absolutely works if you don’t mind a bit of elbow grease. A rubber spatula helps scrape every bit of that delicious dough from the bowl, letting you use it all. Lining your sheet or plate with parchment paper keeps the peanut butter balls from sticking as they chill, which makes a huge difference when transferring them later. You don’t need anything fancy here—just simple kitchen tools that make moving and shaping the dough easier.
Step-By-Step Instructions
When I start this recipe, the very first thing I do is make sure my cream cheese is softened properly. If it’s too cold, the mixture becomes lumpy and stubborn, so letting it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes is key. Once it’s soft enough, I beat it in a bowl until smooth, and I always take a moment to appreciate that creamy base—this is what makes these peanut butter balls stand out from the classic peanut butter-only versions.
Next, I add the peanut butter and continue mixing until the two blend into a silky, uniform filling. This step always feels satisfying because the textures merge so easily, and I know the mixture is ready when it’s completely smooth with no streaks. This is also the moment when my kitchen fills with the best aroma—warm, nutty peanut butter swirling together with the richness of cream cheese. It feels like dessert magic, and that smell alone makes it hard not to sneak a taste.(See the next page below to continue…)