A Chocolate Recipe Passed Down Through the Years—And Loved Every Single Time

“Thirty years I’ve been making these. My mother made them for twenty years before that. They are unbeatable. In all my time baking, I’ve never met a single person who didn’t love them.”

Some recipes aren’t pulled from glossy cookbooks.
They’re born in warm kitchens, surrounded by laughter, flour-covered countertops, and handwritten notes tucked away in old drawers.

This is one of those recipes.

For more than fifty years, these chocolate-covered treats have made appearances at holidays, family gatherings, school bake sales, memorials, baby showers, and quiet afternoons when someone simply needed something sweet. They’re uncomplicated, unfussy, and completely irresistible. No special tools. No advanced skills. Just a recipe that works every single time.

They may look simple at first glance. Smooth, shiny chocolate rounds resting in foil liners. But one bite tells you everything you need to know. A rich, creamy peanut butter center with just the right sweetness, wrapped in a silky chocolate coating that gives the faintest snap before melting away.

Every time they’re served, someone asks for the recipe.
Someone always goes back for more.
And years later, people still remember them.

Once you make them, it becomes obvious why no one ever felt the need to change a thing.

Why This Recipe Has Lasted So Long

No baking required, so anyone can make them
Uses basic pantry staples
Stores beautifully in the freezer
Perfect for gifting or sharing
Loved by both kids and adults
And most importantly, it carries something you can’t measure: tradition

Classic Chocolate Peanut Butter Patties

Full Recipe

Ingredients

For the Peanut Butter Center

2 cups creamy peanut butter
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3½ to 4 cups powdered sugar, added gradually

For the Chocolate Coating

3 cups milk chocolate chips, or semi-sweet if preferred
2 tablespoons shortening or coconut oil for smooth melting

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Peanut Butter Mixture
In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, softened butter, and vanilla until smooth and fully combined.

Slowly add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Continue until the mixture is firm enough to hold its shape but still soft and creamy.

The mixture should not feel sticky. If it does, add a bit more powdered sugar until it reaches the right consistency.

Step 2: Shape the Patties
Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Scoop about one tablespoon of the mixture for each piece. Roll it into a ball, then gently flatten it into a round patty. Place each one on the prepared sheet.

Once all patties are shaped, place the trays in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes. This step is essential, as it makes the chocolate dipping much easier.

Step 3: Melt the Chocolate
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and shortening or coconut oil.

Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each round, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat.

Step 4: Dip the Patties
Remove the patties from the freezer. Using a fork, dip each one into the melted chocolate. Tap the fork gently against the side of the bowl to remove excess chocolate, then return the patty to the parchment paper.

Work in small batches, keeping the remaining patties cold while you dip.

Step 5: Let Them Set and Store
Allow the chocolate to firm up at room temperature, or place the trays in the refrigerator for about 10 to 15 minutes to speed things along.

Once set, store the patties in an airtight container. Keep them refrigerated or frozen for the best texture. They also transport well for gifting when layered with wax paper.

Tips From Half a Century of Baking

Creamy peanut butter works best, as natural versions can be too oily
Milk chocolate creates the classic sweet finish, while semi-sweet adds balance
If the chocolate thickens while dipping, reheat gently
They taste even better the next day

More Than Just a Dessert

This isn’t simply a sweet treat.

It’s the dessert someone remembers from childhood.
The one everyone hopes appears on the table.
The recipe that gets passed down, not because it’s trendy, but because it’s perfect.

And once you make them, you’ll probably find yourself saying the same thing years from now:

“I’ve been making these forever. And everyone still loves them.”

Because some recipes don’t need updating.
They just need to be shared. 🍫🥜