Once again, Pinterest is amazing. If not for my little virtual bulletin board, I probably wouldn’t have stumbled across these gems. They are peanut butter-pretzel truffles, or as I aptly named them – Chubby Hubby Truffles, after the famous Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. I consumed more pints of that stuff than I care to admit during my college days. It was a staple in our little mini-fridge’s (even mini-ier) freezer. Being the peanut butter lover that I am, there is absolutely no way I could resist chocolate-covered, peanut butter-filled pretzels swirling around in ice cream. Throw in sleep deprivation, lackluster cafeteria food, cram sessions and broken hearts (not only did you wallow in your own relationships gone bad, but you had to help your friend polish off a pint when some boy broke her heart too – that’s what friends do), and I probably should have skipped college and just bought stock in Ben & Jerry’s instead. So when I saw my favorite ice cream in truffle form (and so incredibly easy to make), I whipped them right up. The sweet and salty, smooth and crunchy – it all dances around in one little truffle. I dare you to only eat one. (Hint: It’s impossible, I tried and failed miserably.)
These are made very much like the traditional buckeyes – a mixture of peanut butter, butter and powdered sugar rolled into balls and then dipped in chocolate (a Christmas staple!). The kicker is the crushed up pretzels – they add a kick of salty and a little bit of crunch to what is already an unbelievable treat. And you all know that next to peanut butter and chocolate together, the other thing I can’t resist is a sweet/salty combo. Bonus for me – I get it all right here in one little truffle!
These are super easy to make – no special equipment needed. Just a bowl, a spoon and your ingredients. Be forewarned – you’ll probably “accidentally” leave some of the mixture in the bowl which will require you to not waste it and eat what’s left with said spoon. We don’t want to waste, now do we?
Peanut Butter-Pretzel Truffles (a.k.a. Chubby Hubby Truffles)
Yield: About 18 truffles
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Chill Time: 1 hour, total
1½ cups pretzel pieces
½ cup creamy peanut butter
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
Pinch of salt
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 cup milk or semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon vegetable shortening1. Put the pretzel pieces into a resealable plastic bag and crush into very small bits (a rolling pin works great for this).
2. In a small bowl, combine the peanut butter, butter, brown sugar and salt. Stir until all of the ingredients are completely blended and smooth. Add the pretzel bits to the peanut butter mixture and mix thoroughly. Add the powdered sugar and mix until completely combined.
3. Line a small baking sheet with wax paper. Using a small cookie scoop, or about 2 teaspoons worth of peanut butter mixture, gently shape into a ball with your fingertips. Place the ball on the wax paper-lined cookie sheet and repeat with the remaining peanut butter mixture. Place the baking sheet into the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes.
4. When ready to dip the truffles, microwave the chocolate chips and vegetable shortening together in a small bowl at 50% power in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until completely melted and smooth.
5. Working one at a time, dip one peanut butter-pretzel ball into the melted chocolate and use a fork to roll it around, ensuring that it is completely coated with chocolate. Let any extra chocolate drip off and place back on the wax paper-lined sheet. Repeat with all of the peanut butter-pretzel balls.
6. Return the baking sheet to the refrigerator and again chill for at least 30 minutes. Garnish with a drizzle of melted peanut butter and crushed pretzels, if desired. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
(Recipe adapted from make happy)
Tags: Candy
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Ummmm, YUM! I’m new here…been stalking your blog all day. I have some new White Chocolate Peanut Butter…maybe I’ll use that! These look delicious!
These are on my list to make ASAP and get them mailed off to some very deserving people. Thinking of making 10 batches. Everyone is going to be so thankful! As am I. Thank you so much for posting this recipe.
Please, please, please send me the leftovers? HOLY YUM!
That little pretzel crunch is just epic!
These look amazing! Chubby Hubby was always one of my favorite Ben & Jerry’s flavors too. I say “was”, because I rarely let myself buy it anymore! I can and will polish off the pint!
Oh, heck yes! I make something very similiar so I am all too familiar with this addiction!
OMG….they are awesome…just drooling over. You are a great cook.
I love that these have different texture and a sweet and salty combo, oh and of course that they are made with chocolate and peanut butter!
Mmm these sound delightful! I love trying new truffle recipes
They look amazing! Another great thing to use in them is Rice Krispies, it also adds an extra crunch.
That’s awesome, what a great B&J flavor. I wonder if there is a way to work the malt component in..or if that would be good – what do you think?
I’m trying to figure that part out myself. Let me know if you come up with any ideas and I’ll be sure to do likewise!
Hmm that’s a good idea! I imagine you could mix in a little malted milk powder.
I am going to make these with soy nut butter. My son is allergic to peanuts but would love these.
Let us know how this goes.. I was thinking of making them for Xmas but my mom is allergic!
One of my favorite flavors as well, mmmm! I know how the whole pint situation goes down too, no worries
Oh my goodness these sound amazing. I love the combo of PB and pretzels!
I make an edible gift each year for my mom’s side of the family. These just made the short list!!! I do have two questions–did you start out with the small pretzel twists and should the brown sugar be packed? Thanks!
Hi Lisa, I had regular size pretzel (the thin kind), and broke them into pieces before measuring. And yes, the brown sugar should be packed.
I HAVE to make these soon! It’s all my favorite flavors in one small bite-size package!
Oh my! All my favorite flavors in one candy. Definitely adding these to my Christmas candy making list.
I made these truffles over the weekend! I love this name though…chubby hubby truffles…perfect!! These things are amazing!
Wow these look fantastic
I’m from Columbus where Buckeyes are the official candy, but I prefer mine with rice krispies or pretzels inside for that salty kick. And Chubby Hubby was always my flavor of choice when I was addicted to Ben & Jerry’s in college!
These look delish! What have you drizzled on top of these gems?
Hi Michele, Melted peanut butter!
These look like they might be contender in our Christmas gift baskets this year. And can I just ask, WHY on earth would you even try to just eat one? That’s just a horrible idea! They’re little, that means you can eat 10, right?
Delicious! I am finding way too many sweets to make on Pinterest! Half Baked was my Ben and Jerry’s posion of choice
Oooh, these look great! Is that caramel or peanut butter drizzled on top? Did you sprinkle leftover pretzel on top as well?
Hi Beth, I drizzled melted peanut butter and crushed pretzels. I forgot to mention that above, oops! I have edited the recipe to include the garnish.
Good Morning. I am wondering what you drizzled on top of the Chubby Hubby Truffles? Looks like caramel? Could you explain what and how you did it? Also, did you sprinkle crushed pretzels over the caramel? Thank you
Hi Anne-Marie, So sorry I forgot to include the garnish in the recipe, I have edited it above. It is melted peanut butter (I just used a spoon to drizzle back and forth), and a sprinkle of crushed pretzels.
What a great and simple treat. I love reading your blog for ideas!
LOL you never want to waste anything! But these sound like they need a double batch, just in case.
Oh these sound great! I’ve got two kinds of truffles on my list for Christmas, might as well add these to it too!
Niiiiicely done!
Drizzling caramel over these was a great idea. What a total lovely and irresistible treat!
Oh my! These look dangerous! I can’t wait to try them
These are heading straight to PITT for finals week. My son & his friends in the dorm will LOVE them! Marco says “thanks!”
Ok – I love the blog and NOW I love your pinterest “pins”!!!
Well I know what I am doing this weekend now! Making these fantastic treats! I have intentions to share these with people. But I am not going to tell anyone I am making them just in case they all get eaten……by me!
Thanks!! YUMMY!!
A prize winning combination!
These look SO delicious! I can pop truffles in one after another – this is definitely a problem!
I also indulged in Chubby Hubby way too many times during my college years. How can you beat the combination of ice cream, peanut butter and pretzels? These look scrumptious, the perfect treat to wrap up for people around the holidays. Thanks for posting!
Oh my good god that’s amazing!
My mom always makes these at Christmas too but with Rice Krispies. Can’t wait to try these out to surprise her with a twist on her classic!
Mmmm nothing better than sweet with salty – these look amazing!!
The truffles look delicious and sinful. Can you please tell me what you drizzled over the top of them?
Hi Heather – It’s melted peanut butter (and crushed pretzels). So sorry I forgot to include the garnish in the recipe, I have since edited it and included that information.
These are totally perfect for Christmas. I can’t wait to try them!
You’re SUCH a trouble maker.
I.NEED.THESE.NOW.
there goes dinner or any plans to eat anything healthy for the rest of my life … these look so irresistible.
Those look amazing. And they are very easy to make vegan too, I have to try them!
Don’t these look delicious and I love the caramel drizzle. Love the title. Have a great day.
What a delicious looking treat.
I too love Pinterest…maybe a little too much.
Is it possible to use chunky peanut butter or would it get too bulky? I can’t help but love peanuts! ^_^
Hi Nem, I haven’t tried it with chunky and am not sure if that would keep them from rolling into neat balls, but I always say, hey, give it a try!
Stupid question. . . . but do I measure the pretzel pieces before or after I crush them??
Hi Brigette, Not a stupid question! Measure them before you crush them (I broke mine into smaller pieces to measure so that they fit into the measuring cup).
I have these pinned too. I think I would drizzle caramel as others have suggested and instead of crushed pretzel, a little bit of kosher salt maybe? Made a cookie like that, it was fantastic. I am sure these truffles are too!
ooh i’ve made something similar (though not as pretty) and they are fantastic! gotta love pinterest finds!
Those are super adorable, and of course the name wins my heart. I’d love to make them for my husband!
I love that buckeyes are a staple in your holiday-life too. They have been in mine since I can remember. My mom makes them every year and this year I am going to give them a go as well. These sound amazing. I can’t eat ice cream (lactose intolerant…ugh), so I love ice cream alternatives!
I just love chocolate and pretzels together! Yum!! I need to make these. So many fun goodies to make,so excited for the holiday season!!
These look divine and I am going to make them right now!! I know I can always count on you for awesome peanutbutter/chocolate recipes of goodness!!!
Oh my world, I want these right now! I think I’m going to go out and buy some of the saltiest pretzels that I can find and make these. Then eat them all…
It’s no wonder I love reading your blog so much!!
I can’t wait to make these and share – or maybe not share and eat them all myslef! thank you!
These look very good and sinful.
At first I thought they were storebought…but after you said you’ve made them yourself my jar just dropped. They look like they came straight from the store! Well done! And thank you so much for showing us how to make them.
I don’t think I can stop after one either!
These look totally awesome!
Hey Michelle, you mentioned a peanut butter allergy in the buck eye post. Did you get over it?
Hi Sandra, I did! I actually wrote all about it in this post: http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2009/02/16/for-the-love-of-peanut-butter-and-cinnamon/
YUM. I’ve made bark with these ingredients but I think a truffle sounds so much better.
I’d be the “chubby wife” after eating these. Congratulations on Top 9!
Top 9 yay! Yum! What a great idea. Half Baked Truffles here I come! I love the half baked flavor mmmm!!
These look to die for!!
Chubby hubby truffles, what a cute name! My wife loves making truffles but she is not so much of a fan of adding peanut butter to it. Gonna show this to her tonight to convince her
AWESOME RECIPE! Made these last night and my hubby said today, ” why did you make them, get rid of them I am eating to many”. These are that good. I made them with intention of giving them away but instead we have eaten them all.
amazing and so easy to make! Thank you for an easy and pleasing gift for holiday giving!
I love pinterest! I waste entirely too much time on that site. These look so good!
Hi! These look wonderful!! Every year I have to come up with some ideas for my husband to take to people for work. Is this something I could make ahead and freeze until I need them? I am trying to find some things I can do ahead of time so I’m not running frantic the day he delivers trying to bake and package. Thanks so much!!
Hi Lynn, You could actually make these a couple of weeks in advance and just keep them in the refrigerator.
Oh … My ….
Hi Michelle – I think there’s a typo on the ingredient list…..it says “1 cup milk or semisweet chocolate chips”.
You’re one of my FAVORITE go-to bloggers btw….love, love, love your blog!!
Happy Holidays!
Hi Shawnie, That refers to chocolate chips – as in, you could use 1 cup of milk chocolate chips or 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips, whichever your preference is.
LOL – I must have read that 5 times and did not catch that…that is cracking me up!!! Pardon me!!
Omg these are absolutely to die for! Chocolate, pb & pretzels = heaven. Yum!!
Michelle,
I LOVE YOUR BLOG! I just registered so that I can start leaving comments for all the wonderful things I’ve made from your site. I made these last week to add to my cookie trays. I quadrupled the recipe because I already decided they sounded too good for just one batch. I grew up on buckeyes and loved the idea of the extra crunch and salt in these. I did need to add more powdered sugar to get the texture right at those quantities. It made 91 wonderful truffles. Dipped some in milk, some in semi sweet. I drizzled melted peanut butter chips on top and started topping with crushed pretzels because I loved the look…then realized that for the storage time I needed, the pretzels would get stale…so I stopped…bummer! The only change I would make for next time is to add a little more salt which might have gotten thrown off in the quadrupling, or maybe sprinkle a tiny bit of really coarse salt on top to get the perfect sweet salty combo…not that the 91 I’ve made will get a single complaint from my family or any of my cookie tray list recipients…Thank you for a really fun recipe!
I made these over the weekend for my colleagues. They were a big hit. I love that they taste like nutty butty bars. Yummy!
I mean nutty buddy…lol
These are on my “make for christmas tins” list…do you think they’d ship okay? Or do they need to remain frozen??
They definitely don’t need to be frozen, and this time of year I think it would be more than cool enough where the chocolate shouldn’t melt.
My husband and daughter love peanutbutter and these sound just the thing to make for them, but I have a question, do the pretzels get soggy after a while or do they stay crunchy?
Hi Debbie, Mine definitely stayed crunchy in the truffle.
I made these today for part of my Christmas cookie plate and they are soooo good I think I ate several truffles worth of the peanut butter filling while making them! I don’t know how you got them so round, they were sooo sticky and messy to roll and with the little pretzel pieces they came out a bit lumpy. I will make these again for sure.
Thank you for the great recipe. They were the first item gone from my cookie table. My poor hubby didn’t even get to try one!
Thanks so much for the recipe! Turned out great! Im using them to give out for christmas gifts this year. I tried melting the chocolate once with the vegetable oil and it didn’t turn out so well for me. But it still worked great with out it! Loved the semi-sweet chocolate chips.
–THANKYOU
-H
My kids and I made these last night and I just thought they were okay, even though I usually love chocolate-PB combinations. One problem is that I read 1 1/2 cups of “pretzel pieces” as the chopped ones, so I ended up with way too much pretzel and had to double everything else then. I think that’s supposed to be 1 1/2 cups of pretzels and then you make little pieces out of them? They were a bit too salty and rich. I may have over-crushed the pretzels too. I think they might have been better with larger pieces instead of finely crushed pretzels. The only change I made was to use cashew butter instead of peanut butter because we have a peanut allergic child. Maybe store-bought PB would have made a sweeter truffle since there’s usually a lot of added sugar? We dipped some in melted white chocolate chips and some in melted dark chocolate chips and then drizzled the other color on top and sprinkled pretzel bits on top. They looked really impressive but I’m going to try some other truffle recipes next.
I made EIGHT batches of these yesterday to give out at our Christmas Eve celebration. I think they are wonderful. I used extra thin “Utz” pretzels that I measured in a dry 1 1/2 cup measuring cup. I pressed down on them slightly and then crushed them down (not into a powder, but small pieces) in a gallon bag. I was doubling the ingredients (or so I thought) but forgot to double the brown sugar and powdered sugar the first two times. I added extra powdered sugar later on since the mixture wasn’t stiff enough to scoop out. I then just mixed up the other batches using the correct measurements and then mixed all eight batches together in a large bowl to help ensure all truffles were consistent. The finished product reminds me of the awesome peanut butter pretzels from Edward Marc! I am sure they will be a big hit. I have to say I was worried that the pretzel pieces were going to get soggy but I ate one for breakfast (bad girl!) this morning and they were as crunchy as they were yesterday. Thanks for yet another great recipe and a Merry Christmas to everyone!
These were a HUGE hit for my family xmas eve party!! I even made a soy nut butter batch for my mom who is allergic and they’re also delish!! Thanks for the great ideas!
Crazy! This is really stunning! I usuallu just buy for a box of chocolate, but i think i should try this recipe soon!
Wowowowow. I’ve never had Chubby Hubby ice cream (gasp) but it, and these, sounds amazing!
I made this over Christmas and they definitely came out lumpier than the photo. Next time I’ll crush the pretzels a bit more as the larger pieces didn’t incorporate into the mixture that well. Also I think I’d make the peanut balls a little smaller since one you dip them in chocolate they do increase in size. They were definitely a huge hit though!
I forgot about this blog until I saw it on this blog today. I have to make these. They look TDF-Good! My favorite combo – PB and Pretzel. What could be better. My son is allergic to nuts so I would not normally make something like this BUT this weekend my son will be out-of=town so I will make these for my hubby and I. I’ll get back to you on it. I bet they are amazing. The picture looks like something out of a candy shop.
I made a batch of these a few weeks ago, and they were so good that they didn’t last but 10 minutes in my house!! For NYE I made a bit larger of a batch… I made 125 of them. No. lie. And come the next morning, there were only 4 left! I get the feeling that… maybe… everyone kind of liked them
THANKS for such an AMAZING RECIPE!!!!!
Oh I will be making these! Thanks for sharing…found them on Pinterest of all places – lol. Thanks for sharin’.
Anyone know if these freeze well? I’m making a whole bunch of sweet nibbles for my son’s birthday party and am trying to make some things that I can make and freeze ahead of time! Thanks!
I haven’t frozen them, but you could definitely make them a week or so in advance and just refrigerate.