Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
8 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter with the peanut butter. Stir in the vanilla. Remove from heat. Stir in the sugar until smooth. (The mixture will be the texture of thick dough.) While still warm, use your hands to shape the dough balls by the tablespoonful. Place on the baking sheet.

In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the chocolate, stirring constrantly. Remove from the heat and use a toothpick to dip balls halfway in chocolate. Place back on the baking sheet. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour.

6 to 8 servings (42 balls)