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    Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

    Allergy Friendly Recipes Cooking with Kids Desserts Gluten Free Holiday Cuisine Real Food Seasonal December 14, 2022 | By Kristen Chidsey | 57 Comments | *This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe
    The BEST EASY homemade peanut butter cup recipe! This is the ultimate dessert for any serious peanut butter chocolate lover! These Copycat Reese Cups are super easy to make and SO delicious to enjoy! Dairy free option as well!

    Nothing beats a homemade peanut butter cup! This recipe for copycat Reese's Peanut Butter Cups is a simple, easy, no-bake treat that is sure to satisfy your deepest craving for chocolate and peanut butter!  

    4 healthy peanut butter cups stacked on top of eachother.

    Homemade Is Best

    I have always been obsessed with Reese's Cups. I can never resist any combination of peanut butter and chocolate, but my all-time favorite treat is a peanut butter cup. Layers of chocolate, surrounded by soft, creamy peanut butter--perfection!!

    But take a look at those ingredients in a Reese's Cup: milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, nonfat milk, milk fat, lactose, soy lecithin, PGPR, emulsifier), peanuts, sugar, dextrose, salt, TBHQ (preservative), citric acid (to maintain freshness).

    Um--PGPR and TBHQ--NO THANK YOU!

    Truth be told, I have ZERO willpower if you place a Reese's Cup in front of me. Despite the questionable ingredients, I will more than likely succumb to eating it--and not have any regrets! But, I MUCH prefer making my own peanut butter cups.

    By making homemade peanut butter cups, not only do you skip out the unnecessary additives, but you also can customize the peanut butter cups to your liking. You can use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and dairy-free chocolate. You can even use almond butter or sunflower seed butter in place of peanut butter to make peanut-free PB cups!

    If you love the combination of peanut butter and chocolate, these Homemade Peanut Butter Cups are for you!

    Notes on Ingredients and Equipment

    Ingredients for Resses Cups labeled on counter.
    • Peanut Butter: I recommend using shelf-stable peanut butter for these peanut butter cups, but refrigerated natural peanut butter will work as well. You may just need to add an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar to the mixture to help shape the peanut butter.
    • Chocolate: You can use any kind of chocolate you like for these peanut butter cups. Dark chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate, and white chocolate all work to make the coating for the peanut butter cups.
    • Powdered Sugar: Is used to help thicken up the peanut butter and sweeten the peanut butter, powdered sugar is the perfect sweetener to use.
    • Coconut Oil: This is an optional ingredient, but adding a bit of coconut oil to your melted chocolate, it will make the chocolate easier to work with and helps the chocolate solidify.
    • Muffin Tin: You can use mini muffin cups or standard muffin cups--it is just based on how large you want your peanut butter cups.
    • Muffin Liners: To keep the peanut butter cups from sticking the muffin cups, use either paper or silicone muffin liners.

    How to Make Peanut Butter Cups

    Step One: Melt Chocolate

    The first step to making peanut butter cups is to melt chocolate. You can melt your chocolate in the microwave or by using the slow cooker.

    My preferred method for melting chocolate is using the slow cooker. The process is completely hands-off and the chocolate melts evenly and stays warm while you assemble the peanut butter cups--no need to reheat the chocolate!

    • Regardless of the process you choose, if needed chop your chocolate into small morsels--about the size of chocolate chips.
    • Place the chocolate into a heat-safe bowl if melting in the microwave or into a heat-safe glass jar if melting in the slow cooker.
    • If using the microwave to melt the chocolate, microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until the chocolate is melted. 
    • If using the slow cooker to melt the chocolate, place the heat-safe jar in the slow cooker and then carefully pour water into the slow cooker until the water line reaches halfway up the jars, being VERY cautious not to get any water into the jar of chocolate. Turn the slow cooker on high, do NOT put the lid on the slow cooker, and in about 30 minutes your chocolate will be perfectly melted (no need to stir while the chocolate melts). Check on the chocolate after 20 minutes, as all slow cookers vary in temperature. 
    Glass jar of chocolate chips in slow cooker.

    Step Two: Prepare Muffin Tin

    While your chocolate is melting, prepare a muffin tin. You can use mini muffin cups or standard muffin cups, and then simply line the muffin cups with either paper or silicone liners. That way your peanut butter cups won't stick to the pan.

    Step Three: Form the Chocolate Base

    • Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, place just enough chocolate in each liner to cover the bottom of the muffin liner, and gently use the back of the spoon to spread the chocolate out into a smooth layer.
    • Place the muffin tin into the refrigerator or freezer for 5 minutes, giving the chocolate time to harden.
    • Place melted chocolate BACK in the slow cooker to keep the chocolate melted as the base hardens. (If microwaved your chocolate to melt, you may need to reheat it before topping off your peanut butter cups.)
    Melted Chocolate in muffin tin liners.

    Step Four: Form Peanut Butter Layer

    • While the chocolate base sets up, combine the peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt together in a medium mixing bowl, mixing with a handheld mixer on medium speed until a thick dough forms.
    Peanut Butter Mixture in glass mixing bowl.
    • Remove the muffin tin from the refrigerator or freezer.
    • Measure out ½ to 1 tablespoon of the peanut butter mixture and using your hands, roll it into a disk that is slightly smaller than the base of the muffin tin.
    • Place the peanut butter patty on top of the chocolate base.
    Peanut Butter layer on chocolate in muffin tin

    Step Five: Cover with Chocolate

    • Spoon 1-2 teaspoons of the remaining melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer, using a spoon to spread evenly and drip down the sides of the peanut butter mixture.
    • Place the peanut butter cups back into the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to harden.

    Step Six: Unmold and Enjoy

    • Once the chocolate has hardened, remove the muffin liner from the muffin tin and remove the peanut butter cup from the liner.
    • Bite into chocolate peanut butter perfection!
    Peanut Butter Cup Cut Open.

    Step-By-Step Video

    If you would like me to talk you through the steps in detail, be sure to check out my video on YouTube for Homemade Peanut Butter Cups.

    Storage Instructions

    Homemade Peanut Butter Cups need to be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer to prevent the chocolate from melting.

    Store the Peanut Butter Cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Or store the PB Cups in an airtight freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 1 month. After 1 month, the quality of the taste will diminish. Before enjoying a peanut butter cup from the freezer, allow it to come to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes for the ultimate taste and texture.

    Dietary Modifications

    • Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free chocolate chips, such as the brand Enjoy Life, for the chocolate.
    • Peanut-Free: You can replace the peanut butter with almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter if you have an allergy to peanuts.

    Recipe FAQs

    My peanut butter mixture seems thin, what should I do?

    Simply add more powdered sugar to the mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough sticks together and easily form a disk.

    Why is there no butter in this recipe?

    This recipe does not use butter, as many peanut butter cup recipes call for. I find the addition of butter is not necessary. By omitting it, the peanut butter flavor really shines through and makes the peanut butter cup a bit healthier.

    Can I use a double-boiler to melt the chocolate?

    Yes! To use a double-boiler, fill a medium pot just under halfway full with water. Bring the water to a simmer over medium-low heat. Place a heatproof bowl that's just big enough to sit on top of the pot and add the chocolate to the bowl. Turn the heat to low, and stir the chocolate with a spatula until melted and smooth.

    More Peanut Butter Chocolate Treats

    • Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins
    • Peanut Butter Coffee
    • Peanut Butter Balls
    • Peanut Butter Blossoms

    If you tried out this recipe for homemade peanut butter cups, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below. 

    Peanut Butter Cup cut in half

    Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

    These Copycat Reese Cups are super easy to make and are the perfect way to satisfy the craving for chocolate and peanut butter.
    4.95 from 36 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 272kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup peanut butter
    • ¼
      cup powdered sugar
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 16 ounces chocolate chips (this is about 2.5 cups of chocolate chips/chopped chocolate)
    • 1 tablespoon coconut oil optional
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • Line a 6-cup muffin tin with silicone liners or paper liners. Alternatively, line a 12-cup mini cupcake liners.
    • In a mixing bowl, beat together the peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt together until well combined. Set aside.
    • Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 30-second intervals until melted or melt chocolate using the slow cooker method (preferred method--see below). Add in melted coconut oil, if using, to melted chocolate and stir until well distributed.
    • Using a small cookie scoop, place ½ tablespoon melted chocolate in each liner. Swirl the chocolate to cover the bottom of the muffin liner.
    • Place muffin tin in fridge or freezer for 5 minutes for chocolate to harden.
    • Once the bottom layer of the peanut butter cup has hardened, remove from fridge/freezer. Take about ½ tablespoon to 1 tablespoon peanut butter and form a disc that is just smaller than the mold so that there is room for chocolate to go around the edges. Place the peanut butter in the center of the chocolate base.
    • Place 1-2 teaspoons of the remaining melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer. Use a spoon to spread evenly.
    • Place the peanut butter cups back in the fridge/freezer for 5-10 minutes to harden.
    • Store the peanut butter cups in the refrigerator for 4-5 days in an airtight container.

    Melting Chocolate in Slow Cooker

    • Place chocolate in heat safe glass jar. Place jar in slow cooker and then carefully pour water into slow cooker until the water line reaches halfway up the jars. Be cautious not to get any water into the jar of chocolate.
    • Turn slow cooker on high, do NOT put lid on the slow cooker, and in about 30 minutes your chocolate will be perfectly melted (no need to stir while chocolate melts). Check on chocolate after 20 minutes, as all slow cookers vary in temperature. 

    Equipment Needed

    • muffin tin
    • muffin cup liners

    Notes

    Peanut Butter: Shelf-stable all-natural peanut butter is best for making homemade peanut butter cups. 
    Peanut-Free Recipe: Feel free to use almond butter, cashew butter,  or sunflower seed butter in place of the peanut butter. 
    Chocolate: Feel free to use any chocolate you like. You can use chocolate chips, chocolate bars. Regardless of the option you use, be sure to chop your chocolate into small chunks, if not using chocolate chips so that your chocolate will melt quickly and evenly. 
    Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is completely optional. I add it to help the chocolate harden faster and form a thicker layer, but it is completely unnecessary. 
    Storage: Store the peanut butter cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days or in an airtight freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 1 month. After 1 month, the quality of the taste will diminish. Before enjoying a peanut butter cup from the freezer, allow it to come to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes for the ultimate taste and texture. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 272kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 132mg | Potassium: 70mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 114IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!
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    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

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    1. kim Grove

      November 26, 2022 at 6:52 pm

      Can you also use crunchy peanut butter?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        November 26, 2022 at 7:09 pm

        Yes! You just won't have a smooth filling. My son actually loves these made with crunchy peanut butter himself 🙂

        Reply
    2. kim Grove

      November 26, 2022 at 6:49 pm

      5 stars
      So good I tried! I usally make peanut butter balls like the cups better.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        November 26, 2022 at 7:08 pm

        I am so happy you enjoyed this recipe!

        Reply
    3. Miriam

      March 02, 2021 at 5:56 pm

      Can u use powdered chocolate instead of buying chop and melting them?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        March 03, 2021 at 6:36 am

        I would not recommend that for this recipe.

        Reply
      • Kimberly

        June 28, 2021 at 12:17 am

        Hello
        Just wondering how many peanut butter cups you get from 1 batch?

        Reply
        • Kristen Chidsey

          June 28, 2021 at 9:34 am

          Hi Kimberly! This recipe makes about 12 mini cups or 6 large cups

          Reply
    4. Jessie

      February 19, 2021 at 11:07 am

      5 stars
      The best ever!!! We mixed semi sweet with Bittersweet 60% caocao for a darker flavor. I love that there is no added butter or oil. Perfect!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        February 19, 2021 at 1:37 pm

        So happy you enjoyed so much Jessie!

        Reply
    5. Tina

      January 05, 2021 at 12:05 am

      5 stars
      How would you travel with these?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        January 05, 2021 at 6:52 am

        Hi Tina! I would recommend chilling well before traveling. Then especially in warmer temps or in a car with heat, I would recommend placing into an air-tight container and placing in a small cooler.

        Reply
    6. Susan

      November 17, 2020 at 10:36 am

      Will the chocolate bloom at room tempby using this method?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        November 17, 2020 at 10:40 am

        I have had no issue with the chocolate blooming using this method Susan. However, keep in mind it will depend on the quality of your chocolate as well.

        Reply
    7. Leslie Anne

      October 06, 2020 at 9:50 pm

      5 stars
      Love these recipes a lot!

      Reply
    8. Toni

      March 05, 2020 at 1:16 pm

      5 stars
      So good. So easy to make.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        March 06, 2020 at 6:35 am

        I am so glad you enjoyed this simple meal Toni.

        Reply
    9. Little Red Rideinghood

      March 01, 2020 at 10:55 pm

      5 stars
      Very good and easy to make.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        March 02, 2020 at 6:53 am

        I am so glad you enjoyed!

        Reply
    10. Toni

      February 21, 2020 at 4:32 pm

      5 stars
      Great receipe and it is so simple to make. The receipe says they will only last for one month in the freezer. That is not a worry in my house. LOL

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        February 21, 2020 at 4:54 pm

        HAHAHA!!! I NEVER have any left to freeze either Toni! So glad you enjoyed!

        Reply
    « Older Comments

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    The BEST EASY homemade peanut butter cup recipe! This is the ultimate dessert for any serious peanut butter chocolate lover! These Copycat Reese Cups are super easy to make and SO delicious to enjoy! Dairy free option as well!

    Meet a Mind "Full" Mom

    A Picture of A Mind"Full"Mom

    Hi! I'm Kristen. I want to welcome you into my kitchen and my REAL, imperfect life. Let me share with you tips and tricks to help you make healthy eating a reality for your family in the chaos of life and on the constraints of a budget. Read more

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    The BEST EASY homemade peanut butter cup recipe! This is the ultimate dessert for any serious peanut butter chocolate lover! These Copycat Reese Cups are super easy to make and SO delicious to enjoy! Dairy free option as well!

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