CRISPY PEANUT BUTTER BALLS OR BARS

Steps:

• 1. In a large bowl, blend together butter, peanut butter and sugar until smooth.Fold in cereal, stirring as little as possible, to prevent cereal from being crushed too much.
• 2. If making balls: Roll mixture into ¾" to 1" balls, and place on waxed paper lined tray. If making bars: Press the mixture into a buttered 9x13 pan.
• 3. Melt candy bars or chips(I break bars up into pieces and microwave until melted - you must be very careful not to overcook, or chocolate will turn into a grainy mess. Stir after the first minute of cooking on High, then keep stirring every 15 seconds until all is melted.* make sure the bowl is completely dry before putting the chocolate in it because the slightest bit of water will seize the chocolate and it will be ruined*
• 4. Balls:I use 2 forks or a toothpick to dip the peanut butter balls in the chocolate, dipping one at a time. HINT - the chocolate will adhere much better, with less mess and dripping, if you freeze the balls before dipping them - then take out about a dozen at a time to dip. When the warm melted chocolate meets the frozen peanut butter ball, the chocolate will harden around it much quicker. Bars: Spread the melted chocolate on the peanut butter mixture.
• 5. Drop the ball onto waxed paper; repeat until all balls are dipped.
• 6. Let balls set, to allow chocolate to harden again, before storing them in a covered container, with wax paper between layers.
• 7. Bars:The rice crispy cereal in these tends to get "soggy' if left out at room temperature, so I store mine in a covered container in the refrigerator, taking them out just before serving.