Thursday, March 10, 2011

Frugal Food Thursday: Peanut Butter Balls


Welcome to Frugal Food Thursday!  If you have a great frugal recipe, please link up below! 

When my kids are looking for a snack, I'll sometimes whip them up some peanut butter balls.  They're sweet and yummy, but aren't just sugar; they also have protein from the peanut butter and the dry milk.  I originally got this recipe from The Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn.

The ingredients can be expensive, but can be bought cheaply if you look out for sales.  I often buy peanut butter at CVS - yes, groceries at drug stores! - when they have their deals on Unilever brand products like Skippy, Lipton tea, and Ragu pasta sauce.  I often get a jar there for about $1 after the sale price, coupons, and Extra Care Bucks.

I've often gotten honey at Walgreens - yes, another drug store.  Once in a while, there will be a coupon in their weekly flyer for a 32 oz bottle of honey for $3.99.  One time I combined that coupon with a 20% Friends and Family sale and got the honey for only $3.19.  That's what you might pay for a 16 oz bottle at the grocery store.

As for the dry milk, that can be harder to find.  Publix and Walmart carry a brand name, but I buy dry milk at Winn-Dixie, which has a smaller house brand for sale.  I'm not sure about the price, but I know it was the best deal in my area for a small quantity.

And lastly, the sprinkles.  When Albertsons went out of business in my area, on the final day they had cake decorating supplies for 95% off.  I bought a bunch of sprinkles, which have lasted a while.

And that's it!  They're easy and fun for the kids to help make.  Enjoy!

PEANUT BUTTER BALLS

1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
1 cup dry milk powder
Sprinkles or other items to roll the balls in (cocoa powder, chopped nuts, coconut, etc.)

Mix the peanut butter and honey until smooth.  Add the dry milk powder a little at a time and mix, first with a spoon and then later with your hands, until you reach a Play-Doh-like consistency.  Remove small chunks and roll into a ball with your hands, then roll into sprinkles or other items.  Makes about 16-20 balls.

There are lots more cheap recipes posted here at Frugal FolliesClick here for the list!

Got a great frugal recipe?  Link below to your actual post, not your main page.  Please only link up recipes and other food-related posts; contest entries and other posts are not allowed and will be deleted. I'd appreciate it if you would link back to Frugal Food Thursday as well!



For more great recipes, please visit the bloggers listed on the left sidebar under Food Linkups. There are lots of great recipes on each blog and I'm sure you'll find some new favorites!

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35 comments:

a moderate life March 10, 2011 at 12:28 AM  

Hi Laura! Sharing my first time tackling a cheese quiche. What a job, but it turned out great! All the best, Alex

Create With Joy March 10, 2011 at 12:29 AM  

My husband loves peanut butter - sounds like a surprise waiting to happen for him! :-)

Thanks for hosting and have a fabulous week!

Denise March 10, 2011 at 1:02 AM  

Thanks for hosting! I have been enjoying the food through Frugal Food Thursdays. I shared my Mexican Omelette.

Denise @ Creative Kitchen

Andrea (Andreas Kitchen) March 10, 2011 at 2:40 AM  

Happy Thursday! I am sharing my recipe for Mashed Garnet Yams With Bacon, Chipotle And Pecans. It's a great side dish with lots of flavor!
Thanks for hosting!

Jill March 10, 2011 at 6:00 AM  

I hope you like my mayonnaise. It is so good and so easy. Watch the video to see just how easy it is! I am trying to link back but having trouble with the visual editor in Wordpress. I will be getting my tech person to do it in HTML as soon as he wakes up...Thanks for your understanding!

Candice,  March 10, 2011 at 8:39 AM  

Walgreens has honey on sale for $3.99 (32oz) this week! That's even cheaper than the Aldi price of $4.50 for 24oz!

Pat @ Elegantly, Gluten-Free March 10, 2011 at 9:37 AM  

I love your peanut butter balls -- and even more so when they're made with economical ingredients!

My dish is Chicken with Cannellini Beans, Tomatoes and Italian Parsley, which is so easy and quick (not to mention allergy-friendly) that I can even make it while I'm talking to guests whom I'm trying to feed. That's no small feat for me :-)

Carol@easytobeglutenfree March 10, 2011 at 10:57 AM  

I think I have gotten every deal you mentioned here! The PB at CVS, honey at Walgreens, dry milk at Winn Dixie and although I didn't get sprinkles at Albertsons I did score some incredible deals at their going out of business sale. Love bargain shopping!

Green Dei/DeiVille March 10, 2011 at 12:20 PM  

visiting via Food Trip Fridays
I've joined your Frugal Recipes.

Thanks!

Foodamn/Green Dei

Kero March 10, 2011 at 1:00 PM  

inexpensive indeed! thank you for sharing the recipe.

I am visiting from Food Trip Friday.

my entry is here http://www.mrspinkihan.com/pork-loin-ribs/

Bibi @ Bibi's Culinary Journey March 10, 2011 at 2:17 PM  

Friend of mine makes Peanut butter balls sometimes and my kids just love them. I should try your great recipe.

Thank you for hosting linky again. I linked up my low fat Carrot muffins this week.

Allison {A Glimpse Inside} March 10, 2011 at 3:46 PM  

I'm not much of a peanut butter gal but my husband would LOVE these! Thanks for linking up!

Miz Helen March 10, 2011 at 8:58 PM  

These are great Peanut Butter Balls, a really fun treat. Thank you for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and please come back!

Mama Kelly aka Jia March 10, 2011 at 9:19 PM  

I first saw these recipes years ago ... would you believe I've never made them? I think I have to remedy that.

Cheerful March 10, 2011 at 11:15 PM  

love those colorful balls and thanks for sharing your recipe, my kids will love it! happy friday!

PinayMum - Mommy's Life Around...

MommyLES March 11, 2011 at 3:28 AM  

i love peanut butter it's my favorite.

<a href="http://noobfoodie.com>Noobfoodie</a>

Pehpot March 11, 2011 at 4:47 AM  

Thanks for sharing this recipe.. I have 3 boys and snack time is always think time for me :)

Allison @ Alli 'n Son March 11, 2011 at 2:46 PM  

How fun! I love the different colored sugars.

I'm hosting a weekly link up, Sweet Tooth Friday, and I'd love to have you share your recipe. http://alli-n-son.com/2011/03/10/vanilla-donuts/

christyd March 11, 2011 at 4:28 PM  

I saw your post on Sweet Tooth Friday, and had to look! My mom made these when I was a kid and they were my FAVORITE!!!! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

a joyful noise March 11, 2011 at 5:05 PM  

There is a lot of energy in those peanut butter snacks. And pretty too with the sprinkles.

darly March 11, 2011 at 5:55 PM  

my daughter would definitely like this, will try it out this weekend

Happy foodtripping, hope you check out my entry too
I Love Darly!

Miranda | Mangoes and Chutney March 14, 2011 at 12:48 PM  

I love peanut butter balls, so easy! Thanks for linking up to Fat Camp Friday! Hope to see you again next week!

Wanderluster March 16, 2011 at 2:50 PM  

Love the colors of the peanut butter balls you made, and I bet the kids do too!

Anonymous,  March 16, 2011 at 8:15 PM  

Hi. My name is Marelie and I am a new blogger. I just linked mine. I find your site very useful and informative. I need to follow you. Thanks

Bylandersea March 17, 2011 at 11:16 AM  

The peanut butter balls sound great. I used to make some with confectioner's sugar and, of course, peanut butter.

Unknown March 19, 2011 at 11:27 PM  

what a simple and yummy treat--thank you for sharing with tuesday night supper club!

Anonymous,  April 1, 2011 at 11:38 AM  

This is such a great recipe for a little protein pick me up disguised as a treat!! I haven't had a chance to cook this week (spring break madness) but will link up as soon as I have something delicious to share!! :)
If you get a sec, pop on over to Foodie Friday and link up! Oh, and I found you on So Very Cheri!

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