My homemade Peanut Butter Cups are so much better than store-bought version. Forget complicated recipes and endless ingredients. This recipe is surprisingly easy, requiring just a handful of pantry staples. Get ready to transform simple components into a decadent, customizable treat that promises pure bliss in every bite.
It is so nice to be able to make special candies for my family. They love my rolo pretzel treats and my buckeye chocolates.
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Why this Homemade Peanut Butter Cups Recipe is a Keeper
This butter cups recipe is a keeper for a multitude of reasons. I love I can make it with so many different chocolates, nut butters and toppings. My family loves them.
- Control over Ingredients and Quality: This is perhaps the biggest benefit. When you make them at home, you dictate what goes in. You can choose high-quality chocolate (dark, milk, or even sugar-free), organic peanut butter with no added oils or sugars, and natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
- Superior Taste and Texture to these Reese’s Cups: Homemade often boast a far richer and more authentic flavor. The The peanut butter tastes “peanuttier,” and the chocolate is often of higher quality.
- Healthier Option: By controlling the ingredients, you can make copycat reese’s peanut butter cups that are healthier.
- Cost-Effective: Making a batch of homemade can be more cost-effective than repeatedly buying store-bought ones, especially if you already have some of the basic ingredients on hand or buy them in bulk.
- Freshness: Homemade treats are always fresher. You don’t have to worry about prolonged storage or transportation, ensuring your peanut butter cups taste as good as possible.
- Satisfaction of DIY: There’s a wonderful sense of accomplishment and enjoyment that comes from creating something delicious from scratch. It can be a fun and creative activity, especially if you involve family or friends.
- Allergen Control: If you or someone you know has food allergies, making them at home allows you to avoid specific allergens by choosing suitable alternatives or even vegan peanut butter cups.
What Type of Chocolate to Use for this Treat?
You can use dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate or white chocolate. You can also use chocolate melts for these easy peanut butter cups.
Pro Tip to Make Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
While pouring and swirling chocolate for the initial base and sides of your peanut butter cups is common, using a small, clean pastry brush (silicone or natural bristle) offers unparalleled control and results in a superior chocolate shell.
Simple Ingredients and Variation Suggestions for Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
You can make this candy with three simple ingredients. Therefore, you can make them anytime you want a sweet treat.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Chocolate Chips: Use milk chocolate, white chocolate or dark chocolte chips.
- VARIATION: You can use chocolate melts if you wish in place of chips.
- Use Peanut Butter: Try creamy peanut butter, natural peanut butter, crunchy peanut butter or use your favorite nut butter for this candy. I would not recommend powdered peanut butter, creamy or crunchy peanut butter is best..
- VARIATION: Almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter for allergy-friendly options or a different flavor profile.
How to Make Peanut Butter Cups
Homemade peanut butter cups are a simple pleasure that anyone can make. Whether you make them for yourself or to share with friends and family, they’re sure to impress.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Prep your Cups: Grease the tin if not using silicone. Melt your chips. Spread the chocolate to the baking cups. Allow to set.
- Mix Peanut Butter Mixture: Combine the creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar and salt. Fill the tins.
- Top: Pour remaining chocolate over the top of the peanut butter layer. Allow the peanut butter cups in the fridge to firm up.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for the Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cups
- Melt Chocolate: You can melt the chocolate ahead of time and keep it warm in a double boiler or gently reheat it when ready to assemble. Be cautious not to overheat.
- Prepare Peanut Butter Filling: The peanut butter filling can be mixed and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a few hours. If making it further in advance, store it in the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature before using to make it easier to work with.
- Line Muffin Tins: If using muffin tins, you can line them with paper liners in advance.
- Additions to Make the Peanut Butter Cups: Prep some toppings for the top of the chocolate. Try some coated candies, sprinkles or chopped nuts.
How to Store Homemade Peanut Butter Cups, Freeze and Use Leftovers
- Storing: Place the fully set peanut butter cups in an airtight container. This prevents them from absorbing odors from other foods in the fridge and keeps them fresh.
- Freezing: For best results, especially if you plan to grab individual cups, wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper. This helps prevent freezer burn and sticking for this great recipe..
- Using Leftover Easy Peanut Butter Cups: Chop up and put into cookie batter or brownies. Try crumbling and adding to the top of ice cream or frozen yogurt.
Common Questions to Make Healthy Chocolate with Peanut Butter Filling Candy
This is the most common cause, especially in homemade chocolate. When chocolate is exposed to fluctuating temperatures (e.g., moving it from a warm room to a cold refrigerator, or leaving it in a warm spot where it partially melts and then re-solidifies), the cocoa butter (the fat in chocolate) separates from the other solids.
Use Silicone Molds: This is by far the easiest and most effective solution. Silicone mini muffin molds or candy molds are non-stick by nature. Your homemade peanut butter candy will pop right out cleanly, leaving a perfectly smooth chocolate shell. This eliminates the need for paper liners entirely and is often the preferred method for those who make these regularly.
Melted Butter (Unsalted): Start with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of melted unsalted butter. Mix it in thoroughly. Butter adds richness and helps bind the filling.
Coconut Oil (Melted): Similar to butter, a small amount of melted coconut oil can add moisture and help the filling come together. Be aware that coconut oil solidifies when cold, so it will make the filling firmer when chilled.
Expert Tips for Making Reese’s Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
- Use Good Quality Chocolate: The better the chocolate, the better the final product will taste.
- Melt Chocolate Slowly and Gently: Avoid overheating, which can cause it to seize or burn. Use a double boiler or melt in short intervals in the microwave, stirring frequently.
- Chill Between Layers: Chilling the chocolate layer before adding the peanut butter filling, and then chilling again after adding the top chocolate layer, helps them set properly and prevents the layers from mixing.
- Don’t Overmix the Peanut Butter Filling: Mix just until combined to avoid a tough texture.
- Use Room Temperature Peanut Butter: This will make it easier to mix with other ingredients.
- Tap the Molds: After adding each layer of chocolate, gently tap the muffin tin or mold on the counter to release any air bubbles and ensure an even coating. You can use mini cups too.
- Get Creative with Presentation: Dust with cocoa powder, drizzle with extra chocolate, or top with flaky sea salt for a more gourmet look.
- Experiment! Don’t be afraid to try different flavor combinations and find your perfect homemade cup.
- Serve this recipe with: List what to serve with: Snickers Cake, Chocolate Caramel Iced Coffee, or Saltine Crack Candy.
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Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
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Ingredients
- 2 cups Chocolate Chips
- ½ cup Peanut Butter
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- ¼ cup Powdered Icing Sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Salt, if needed
Instructions
- Use either silicone baking cups and spread out on a platter, or grease a muffin tray. Set aside.
- Melt 1 cup of chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30 second bursts. Stir well and reheat as needed.
- Add 1/2 Tablespoon of melted chocolate to each silicone baking cup or muffin pan indent.
- Let set for 1 hour until firm.
- Place peanut butter, powdered sugar and optional salt into a mixing bowl and beat together until well combined.
- Distribute a heaped teaspoon (approximately 1 1/2 teaspoons) of the peanut butter mixture into each muffin cup.
- Melt remaining 1 cup of chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30 second bursts. Stir well and reheat as needed.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter filling and tap the tray or pan to smooth out the chocolate until flat.
- Allow to set for 1 hour or overnight until chocolate is completely set.
- Pop out of the muffin cups and enjoy or store in an airtight container.
- (If storing, place a sheet of parchment paper in between each layer to prevent the pb cups from sticking together.)
Christina’s Notes
- Use Good Quality Chocolate: The better the chocolate, the better the final product will taste.
- Melt Chocolate Slowly and Gently: Avoid overheating, which can cause it to seize or burn. Use a double boiler or melt in short intervals in the microwave, stirring frequently.
- Chill Between Layers: Chilling the chocolate layer before adding the peanut butter filling, and then chilling again after adding the top chocolate layer, helps them set properly and prevents the layers from mixing.
- Don’t Overmix the Peanut Butter Filling: Mix just until combined to avoid a tough texture.
- Use Room Temperature Peanut Butter: This will make it easier to mix with other ingredients.
- Tap the Molds: After adding each layer of chocolate, gently tap the muffin tin or mold on the counter to release any air bubbles and ensure an even coating. You can use mini cups too.
- Get Creative with Presentation: Dust with cocoa powder, drizzle with extra chocolate, or top with flaky sea salt for a more gourmet look.
- Experiment! Don’t be afraid to try different flavor combinations and find your perfect homemade cup.
- Serve this recipe with: List what to serve with: Snickers Cake, Chocolate Caramel Iced Coffee, or Saltine Crack Candy.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.