Once Upon A Christmas Eve

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls

By Joshua Witkoski

Twas the night before Christmas, when a party was planned

But no dessert was ready, and that's in high demand.

I said I would bring one, but to no avail,

I was quite worried, my commitment would fail.

I asked my wife but she was doing her own,

And at that point I was feeling alone.

With the clock ticking and nothing to show for

I had to think quickly or else I'd be done for!

“Did I just rhyme for with for?!” I asked myself

But I nodded and said, “I will blame it on an elf”

I went through the cabinets, the shelves, and drawers,

Then I finally found it in the pantry doors!

A jar of peanut butter, what glory to behold,

All I needed was chocolate, then the rest would unfold!

So I took some powdered and brown sugar as well,

Along with some butter, and vanilla for smell.

Melting the chocolate to be used for later

And mixing the others for that wonderful flavor!

I rolled them up into one inch round balls

And set them in the fridge for which the recipe calls

Once they were chilled and the chocolate had melted

I rolled them around in the chocolate I dealted.

Throwing them back in the fridge to solidify more

I sighed in relief as I dropped to the floor.

“It’s done, it’s done!” so happily, I shouted!

“Now for something to hold them”, and then I pouted.

I have no fancy bowl or plate

But then I remembered The Store’s “The Blate”!

“That's right!” I said, as I was standing

It’s a bowl and plate, there's no misunderstanding!

So I placed the dessert onto the plate

And looked at my watch, I was not even late!

Now ready it stood in all its beauty and splendor

And ready was I for the party in late December.

Ingredients:

2 and 1/4 cups creamy peanut butter

½ cup salted butter softened

2 Tablespoons of packed brown sugar

1 ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

3 ¼ cups powdered sugar

1 bag of milk chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Combine peanut butter and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until well-combined, adding the brown sugar and vanilla extract when it begins to smooth.

2. Gradually add powdered sugar until completely combined. Scoop into 1 inch (or desired size) balls and roll them with your hands until smooth.

3. Place on wax paper and freeze for 15-20 minutes.

4. While peanut butter balls are chilling, pour your chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl and microwave 3 times on high in 30 second increments.

5. Remove peanut butter balls from freezer, pick up the balls with toothpicks and roll them into the melted chocolate (you can rinse and repeat this step as many times as you wish)

6. Return to wax paper. Use your fingers to smooth over the toothpick mark.

7. Allow chocolate to harden before serving.