Homemade Peanut Butter Cups (2024)

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!

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, nonfatmilk,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

• 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.

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.)

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.

• 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.

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

More Peanut Butter Chocolate Treats

• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins
• Peanut Butter Coffee
• Peanut Butter Balls
• Peanut Butter Blossoms
• Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
• Banana Chocolate Chip Bars with Peanut Butter

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