Chubby Hubby Truffles
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.)
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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
Ingredients
- 1½ cups (120 g) pretzel pieces
- ½ cup (129 g) creamy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- Pinch salt
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 cup (180 ml) milk or semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening
Instructions
- Put the pretzel pieces into a resealable plastic bag and crush into very small bits (a rolling pin works great for this).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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Can these be frozen ? How far in advance can they be made ?
Yes, you can freeze them! They would keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Do you have to kerp them refrigerated?
Have you tried extracts with cream cheese?
Like gingersnap cookie truffles with orange extracts?
Banana sandwich cookie truffles with rum extract? Oreo sandwich cookies with peppermint or coffee? Vanilla with maple or hazlenut?
Lemon with coconut?
Can you use liqueur in cream cheese? Grand marnier, chambord, creme de cassis, godiva, rumchata, baileys irish cream? Im thinking a tablespoon or less per 8oz of cream cheese.
Any thoughts??
Hi Stephanie, You could use any/all of these flavors if you like. Experiment!
I will be making your creamy stove top mac and cheese Sunday with my dinner. I will be back on line before 10:00p.m.
About how many does this recipe make?
Hi Heather, The yield is listed above in the recipe box – about 18 truffles.
I crushed the pretzels before measuring, which was a huge mistake. I ended up with way too much and it didn’t work. I will need to try this one again and measure before crushing!
Oh my god these are pure bliss. I made them vegan (with earth balance and dark chocolate chips) and they turned out fabolous!
I decided to make these for a cookie exchange. The recipe only makes 18, so after tripling this, I decided to make actual Peanut Butter Balls and just swap out the Rice Krispies for the pretzel bits! It makes the mixture smoother and easier to form into nice balls. And you can shorten the dipping process by using chocolate bark coating. Cuts out the need for shortening. I think they’re going to love these tonight!
Do you have to use pretzels can u use Cheerios
Hi Daytona, The pretzels imitate the traditional flavors of chubby hubby ice cream, but you could try Cheerios if you’d like.
Made these for Christmas! I made them gluten, lactose and peanut free for the allergies in our household! Worked so well! Used gluten free pretzels, no nut butter (made with soybeans), and lactose free chocolate! Was such a big hit!
What do you think about pressing them in a pan, cutting into little squares, and then dipping in chocolate? Do you think this would save rolling time?
Hi Sara, I haven’t tried doing it this way; if you try it, let me know how it turns out!
Can I freeze these??
Yes, definitely!
Do you think you could sub pecans or peanuts for the pretzels?
Hi Hannah, Yes, you could do that!
Wow, my husband took one bite of these before I even dipped them in chocolate and asked if that was all we had because he could eat them all himself.
The Chubby Hubby Truffles are looking amazing and delicious. I will also make this delicious recipe at my home. Please tell us about more interesting and delicious recipes.
I made these yesterday and used gluten free pretzels, earth balance non-dairy butter, and dairy free chocolate chips. Vegan, gluten-free, and DELICIOUS!
I just made this and the peanut butter part is cooling in the fridge right now. I really do hope they turn out! I too had problems with lumpiness. I had to add way more peanut butter and even a little honey to get the mixture to bind. I pressed them into a scoop and got pretty neat little mounds, nonetheless. If I make them again I will reduce the amount of pretzels and up the peanut butter. Just providing a little feedback for those who might get frustrated.
For those having trouble with “lumpy” truffles, I recommend firmly pressing the mixture into the cookie scoop. Then once you have them all on the sheet, go back and roll them in your hands. This really smooths and rounds them out. I’ve made these a few times now and I think they’re fantastic. The peanut butter drizzle and pretzel topping really take these over the top!
I want to put this recipe on my christmas baking to-do list.. it looks too irresistible! I was just wondering if I could use butter instead of shortening in this recipe? Thanks! :)
Hi Kelli, I would not recommend substituting butter, as it has different properties than shortening, and the chocolate may not melt properly.
Making these this weekend! I was wondering what the purpos of the vegetable shortening is. Would it work if I dipped them in just melted chocolatewithout the shortening?
Hi Verinica, The vegetable shortening thins the chocolate, which makes coating the truffles much easier. Otherwise, the chocolate will get sort of gloomy. I would not recommend doing it without the shortening.