Description
Delicious Donkey Balls are a unique and delightful snack offering both sweet and savory versions. The sweet balls feature a creamy peanut butter and powdered sugar mixture coated in rich chocolate, perfect for a satisfying treat. The savory balls combine seasoned ground beef with cheese and spices, baked to golden perfection for a hearty snack option. Perfect for gatherings or an indulgent bite any time.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Version
- 1 cup Peanut Butter (Almond butter can be used as a substitute)
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar (Maple syrup can be used for a vegan option)
- 1 cup Graham Cracker Crumbs (Crushed pretzels or oats can also work)
- 1/2 cup Chopped Nuts (Optional for those with nut allergies)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (Coconut extract offers a fun twist)
- Pinch of Salt
- 1 cup Chocolate (for coating) (Dark chocolate for a richer taste)
- 1 teaspoon Coconut Oil (for melting chocolate)
Savory Version
- 1 pound Ground Beef (Ensure it is well-seasoned)
- 1 cup Cheese (Choose your favorite type)
- 1 tablespoon Spices (Customize with garlic powder, onion powder, etc.)
Instructions
- Prepare Sweet Mixture: In a bowl, combine peanut butter, powdered sugar, graham cracker crumbs, chopped nuts, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix thoroughly until a smooth dough forms that can be easily rolled.
- Form Sweet Balls: Roll the peanut butter mixture into tablespoon-sized balls and arrange them on a lined baking tray ensuring they do not touch.
- Freeze the Sweet Balls: Place the tray with the rolled balls into the freezer and let them chill for 20-30 minutes to firm up.
- Melt Chocolate Coating: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate and a splash of coconut oil, heating in short intervals and stirring until completely smooth and melted.
- Coat Sweet Balls: Remove the sweet balls from the freezer, dip each into the melted chocolate coating completely, and return to the lined baking tray for setting.
- Chill to Set: Refrigerate the coated sweet balls for about 30 minutes or until the chocolate coating hardens and sets beautifully.
- Prepare Savory Mixture: In a separate bowl, thoroughly mix the cooked ground beef with your choice of cheese and spices, making sure the mixture is uniform and ready to be shaped.
- Form Savory Balls: Shape the savory mixture into balls of similar size to the sweet version and place them on a lined baking tray for even cooking.
- Bake Savory Balls: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Bake the beef and cheese balls for 15-20 minutes or until they turn golden brown and cooked through.
- Optional Cheese Drizzle: Once baked, optionally drizzle some extra melted cheese over the savory balls for added flavor and richness before serving.
Notes
- For a vegan sweet version, replace peanut butter with almond butter and powdered sugar with maple syrup.
- Chopped nuts in the sweet version can be omitted or substituted for nut allergies.
- Use dark chocolate coating for a richer and less sweet flavor in the sweet balls.
- Customize savory spice blends according to preference, e.g., garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika.
- Ensure ground beef is cooked before mixing with cheese and spices for the savory version.
- Freeze the sweet balls well before dipping in chocolate to avoid melting.
- Both versions make great finger foods for parties or snacks.
