I won’t lie, I am a bit addicted to peanut butter and chocolate. Growing up, I loved eating Reese’s peanut butter cups. But when I found out how to make a homemade version, I was blown away. This is one of my most requested treats to make for parties. This recipe is truly better than Reese’s peanut butter cups.
At least in my opinion. But let’s be honest, homemade candy and treats usually are better than mass-produced store-bought candy. I don’t even buy Reese’s anymore, I just make my own, they are cheaper, bigger, and definitely tastier.
And the cool thing is, you can make them however you want, use whatever chocolate you want, whatever peanut butter you want, etc. They are super easy to make and are the perfect treat for peanut butter lovers! If I can do it, you can do it. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Gather the tools and ingredients for those tasty homemade Reese’s peanut butter cups
In order to make these fantastic treats you will need the following simple ingredients and tools:
- Peanut Butter – Use store-bought or homemade peanut butter. Or you can use whatever nut butter you like. You can use creamy peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter.
- Butter – This is an optional ingredient that I always add.
- Powdered Sugar – Also referred to as confectioner’s sugar or icing sugar.
- Salt – A pinch of salt is optional but will help add a balance to the sweetness.
- Chocolate – Got to have chocolate in peanut butter cups! If I am taking them to a party and they will be left out at room temperature for a long period of time, I will use chocolate candy melts. If I just have them around the house and store them in the fridge, I will use real chocolate Usually, I will make some with dark chocolate and some with milk chocolate, and some with semi-sweet. Sometimes I like to drizzle white chocolate on top as well.
Tools
- Muffin pan, large or mini
- Mini paper cups for the size of pan you use
- Bowls
- Spoon
- Double boiler or microwave to melt the chocolate
Step 2: How to make better than Reese’s peanut butter cups
The peanut butter cup filling is made by taking the peanut butter and placing it in a medium bowl. You can use natural peanut butter made at home or just use the normal store-bought kind. Then add the softened or melted butter.
If you are going to add the salt, do it at this step. Next, mix in the powdered sugar a little bit at a time until you get a nice “playdough” consistency.
You should be able to mold it into small discs in your hand. Of course, make sure your hands are clean or wear gloves when handling the peanut butter mixture.
Step 3: Melt the chocolate and fill the paper cups
Now, place the appropriate-sized paper cup or cupcake liners in the muffin pan. I make either the large ones or the small ones, depending on my mood, and if I am bringing them to a party. Usually, the mini ones are better for parties, in my experience, but it really doesn’t matter. 🙂 Then melt the chocolate.
It is totally up to you what kind of chocolate you use. I have made this with chocolate bars, chocolate chips, and chocolate candy melts, from dark chocolate and semi-sweet to milk chocolate or white chocolate. My favorite is a mix of a chocolate bar and chocolate chips. I LOVE milk chocolate.
Melt the chocolate in either the microwave or using the double boiler method. If using the microwave, place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and use bursts of 25 seconds in between stirring, until the chocolate is all melted.
NOTE: The double boiler method is where you have a pot of water about one inch deep or so, and then a bowl, usually metal, placed on top.
Turn the stovetop on to medium heat. The steam from the hot water will warm up the bowl, gently melting the chocolate.
Once your chocolate is melted, place enough chocolate in each cup to cover the bottom, about 1/8th to a 1/4th of an inch deep.
Sometimes I will add a bit of peanut butter and melt it along with the chocolate for even more peanut butter flavor. And if your chocolate is super thick, add a tsp of vegetable oil or coconut oil to the melted chocolate to thin it out.
Step 4: Add the peanut butter disc
Time to add the peanut butter layer. Just place the peanut butter discs in the cups on top of the first chocolate layer. Then come back and fill up the cups with the remaining chocolate. You will need about a teaspoon of melted chocolate to go on top.
This completely surrounds the peanut butter, creating the peanut butter cup. Pretty simple, right? Sometimes I will do milk chocolate on the bottom and then dark chocolate or white chocolate on the top, or vice versa.
If you like salty and sweet together, sprinkle some flaky sea salt on top of some of them.
Step 5: Chill those easy homemade peanut butter cups
Next, place the pan in the fridge and allow the chocolate to set. Usually, it sets in 20 to 30 minutes, or sooner if you are using chocolate candy melts.
Another optional thing I like to do is after the top layer of melted chocolate sets, I like to come in with a piping bag and some melted white chocolate and do some lines of white chocolate on top of some of them. It gives them a more professional and elegant look.
Step 6: Enjoy those better than Reese’s peanut butter cups
Now the only left to do is unwrap one and eat it! Bit into that yummy layered chocolate treat with delicious peanut butter center. I have never met someone that didn’t like these super easy homemade treats. It truly is probably my favorite treat to make.
Enjoy!
Homemade Peanut Butter Cups FAQs
How do I store homemade peanut butter cups?
To store these, just place them in a ziplock bag or Tupperware or other airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to a month or freeze them for 3 to 4 months.
Can I use something other than peanut butter?
Sure you can use any nut butter that you like. You could make almond butter cups, cashew butter cups, etc.
Can I make dairy-free peanut butter cups?
Sure! Just use any dairy-free chocolate chips or chocolate bars for the chocolate layers. You can also try my homemade chocolate recipe and use that which is also dairy-free. That homemade chocolate can not be tempered, so the peanut butter treats made with that will definitely need to be stored in the fridge or freezer.
If you like these, here are a few other chocolate recipes you may like:
No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Better Than Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Equipment
- muffin pan, large or mini
- mini paper cups
- Bowls
- spoon
- microwave or double boiler
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup peanut butter or any nut butter like almond butter (125g)
- 1 Tbsp. of softened butter optional (15g)
- 1 cup powdered sugar added gradually, may need a little more or less (125g)
- 1 cup milk chocolate a combination of chocolate bars and chocolate chips, or use candy melts (175g)
- 1 cup dark chocolate a combination of chocolate bars and chocolate chips, etc (175g)
- 1/2 tsp. salt 2g
Instructions
- In a medium bowl combine the peanut butter, salt, and softened butter.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar until it comes together and forms a dough with a "playdough" consistency. You should be able to form it into a disc without it sticking to your fingers.
- Melt your chosen chocolate in the microwave using bursts of 25 seconds, then stir, 25 seconds then stir, until it is melted. Or use a double boiler which consists of a small pot of water, and a metal larger bowl resting on top. Place the chocolate in the metal bowl and turn the stovetop on to medium. The steam from the hot water will heat the bowl melting the chocolate.
- Fill the bottom of each paper cup with some chocolate. Then form the peanut butter mixture into discs and place those on top of the first layer of chocolate.
- Pour a top layer of chocolate creating the peanut butter cup. Once all are filled, place the pan in the fridge to allow the chocolate to set. It only takes 20 to 30 minutes. Now enjoy! Very easy right?
Video
Notes
Do you like this homemade peanut butter cups recipe? Please give it a rating and comment down below, I really appreciate it. If you make it tag me on Instagram @inthekitchenwithmatt. Also, sign up for the newsletter so you won’t miss out on any of my new posts and recipes.
I would like to make these and use your homemade chocolate recipe. Do I need to temper the chocolate before using it to make this recipe?
Hi which homemade chocolate recipe? The milk chocolate one that uses cacao butter or the one that uses coconut oil? The one that uses coconut oil will not temper and not be firm at room temperature. But if you do use it to make peanut butter cups, you can just keep them in the fridge until you want to eat it. If you use cacao butter, then you will be able to temper it and it will be firm at room temperature. 🙂
Thank you! Yes, I plan to make the milk chocolate recipe using the cacao butter.
Ok great!
What is the purpose of powdered sugar.
It gives the appropriate consistence for the filling. Straight peanut butter is too hard to work with. The consistency needs to be like play dough. You can use other substitutions if desired. For example, for “Healthier” peanut butter cups I have a Keto version here on my website.
Question – is it a total of 2 cups of chocolate any kind, or just 1 cup of either milk or dark?
Hi there, you will use around 2 cups total chocolate. The amount doesn’t have to be exact, it depends on how much chocolate you put in each cup, and if you are using larger cups or the smaller ones. But you can start with a small amount, and then just melt more if needed. 🙂
So if want the chocolate all the same, do I need 2 cups? Or are the 2 separate line items in the ingredients just to show 2 variations?
Yes two total cups of chocolate 🙂 Or a combination like 1 cup of semi sweet mixed with 1 cup of milk chocolate, etc.
Reading your recipe from the beginning you put 1/2 of peanut butter into melted chocolate but in the printed version you don’t mention it, why?
It isn’t a necessary step. It is optional and is good both ways. But most likely it was an oversight, that was written years ago.
Better than Reece Cups!!!
Yes! 🙂
I made a double batch. I love how mine turned out, and they taste really really good topped with course sea salt. I cut the sugar by a third cup, added a little more freshly ground (bland) peanut butter, and I used Semi-sweet mixed with 100% bitter chocolate (not milk and dark). I used Pure Ocean (Atlantic) course sea salt as a topper. Additionally, I made these large not mini and broke them in 2 or 3 pieces for ease. Lastly, the ONLY reason I gave this 4 stars is because I feel it would be over-sweet. Store-bought PB typically has sugar.
To be clear, for a double-batch, I used a third LESS powdered sugar with fresh-made peanut (bland) butter.
Glad you tried it! And the whole point of homemade peanut butter cups is that you can make them your own :). Meaning you can use whatever peanut butter you want, whatever chocolate you want, etc., which you did, which is awesome.
Would love to have your recipes
You can find all my recipes on my website. https://www.inthekitchenwithmatt.com/
Great easy recipe! I rolled the filling into a log and sliced off discs. My grandchildren will love making these.
Glad you tried it and liked it, Chris! And great idea rolling it into a log.
Instructions on how to freeze these? I want to make them into eggs for my Dad for Easter but have to travel home with them.
Hi Emily, sounds like a fun idea. Take them and place them flat in a freezer-safe ziplock bag, then put them in the freezer. Or if you just want to keep them cool while traveling, you can put them in a bag then in a cooler with some ice instead of freezing them, either way. 🙂
If a person wants to have a lower calorie verion of this, they can make it with powdered, lower calorie peanut butter and a touch of water, and sugar free chocolate. I figured out how to do that on my own but otherwise the method is really similar to this. Nice job! By the way, my healthy ones are STILL better than Reese’s.
For sure! I have a keto version which is low-carb. This recipe is very versatile. So many options!
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What can I use in place of the muffin cups if I don’t have any?
You can probably use small pieces of parchment paper and push it down in the muffin pan cavities.
Buy silicone liners and they could be reused over and over
Yes, you can certainly buy the silicone ones!