Looking for a unique and delicious holiday treat? Well, look no further. These peanut butter and jelly reindeer truffles are easy, tasty and extremely adorable!

For as long as I can remember, my mother has been making buckeyes every holiday season. If you don’t know, a buckeye, named after the tree that bares similar looking nuts, is a confection made of peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar and vanilla, rolled into a ball and partially dipped into melted chocolate. I mean, chocolate and peanut butter, how could you go wrong? They’re everyone’s favorite.

Of course buckeyes were made this year just like any other year, but I wanted to create something different. Similar, but different. Cue these peanut butter and jelly reindeer truffles. They’re a jelly stuffed peanut butter ball dipped completely in dark chocolate and decorated to look like cute little reindeer, just for fun.

These peanut butter and jelly truffles are a great treat to make with kids. They do not require any baking and they are also healthier than regular buckeyes. They are vegan, gluten free and made with just a handful of simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Peanut butter
Maple syrup
Vegan butter
Vanilla Extract
Almond flour
Jelly
Dark chocolate
Coconut oil

WHAT YOU NEED TO DECORATE PB&J REINDEER TRUFFLES

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE PB&J REINDEER TRUFFLES

Mixing bowl
Rubber spatula
Sheet pan with parchment paper
Microwave safe bowl
Fork
Measuring cups and spoons

Instructions

The first step to making PB&J reindeer truffles is to combined softened vegan butter, peanut butter, maple syrup, almond flour and vanilla in a mixing bowl until a smooth dough forms. Cover and chill the dough for 30 minutes.

When you are ready to assemble the truffles, take the dough out of the fridge. Take a heaping tablespoon of dough and roll it into a tight ball. Next, flatten out the dough into a bowl shape (it doesn’t have to be perfect). Next, take 1-2 teaspoons of jelly and place it in the center of the peanut butter dough ‘bowl’.

Now repeat the process of making a bowl out of another heaping tablespoon of dough. Turn that dough ‘bowl’ upside down and place it on top of the jelly filled bowl to cover it. Pinch the edges of the dough ‘bowls’ together to seal the jelly inside. At this point, the truffle will look a bit like a flying saucer. Next, carefully use your fingers to gently round out the edges to create a flat circle. It should look like a hamburger patty. You should get 8-10 truffles.

Once you’ve formed all the truffles, melt the chocolate. Combine the dark chocolate and coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals until melted. Be sure to stir the chocolate between each interval.

Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Carefully dunk the truffles into the melted chocolate. Use a fork to rotate the chocolate to coat all sides and then to lift the truffle out of the chocolate. Allow the excess chocolate to drip off. Place the truffle on the parchment lined baking sheet.

Immediately add two candy eyes, one mini red M&M or red hot for the nose and gently press two pretzel pieces into the top of the truffle for the antlers. To achieve the antler look, break the pretzel in half and remove the inner part of the loops.

Place reindeer truffles in the freezer to harden. Store truffles in an air tight container in the freezer. Remove from freezer 15 minutes before enjoying.

TIPS

The peanut butter dough should be firm enough to keep its shape but soft enough where it will not crack when you try to form it. If the dough is too soft, place back in the fridge for 10-15 minutes. If the dough is too firm, allow it to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
Use a 1 tablespoon cookie scooper to get even sized dough balls.
Roll the dough into a firmly packed ball before shaping into a bowl. This will help prevent cracks in the dough.
Do not over stuff the truffles with jelly. It will squeeze out the sides as you try to seal the ball. Less is more!
Make sure you have more pretzels than you think you need. It took me many tries to break the pretzels exactly how I wanted them to look for the antlers.
Press both antlers into the top of the reindeer at the same time to prevent the truffle from sliding.
Ensure you adhere the eyes, nose and antlers immediately after dunking in chocolate to secure them before the chocolate hardens.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Peanut butter: Any nut butter or seed butter will work in place of the peanut butter.
Chocolate: Milk or white chocolate will work in place of the dark chocolate.
M&Ms/red hots: M&Ms do contain dairy so if you are allergic or vegan, use red hots for the nose.

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As always, if you make this recipe please let me know by commenting/rating below. If you take a picture, tag me on Instagram @thechowdown. I love seeing your recreations!

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