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Homemade Peanut Butter Cups Recipe

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4.7 from 137 reviews

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups combine rich, melted chocolate with a creamy, sweet peanut butter filling to create a classic treat. This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward steps to make delicious, bite-sized chocolate cups perfect for snacking or gifting.

Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate Layer

  • 16 ounces chocolate chips (divided, about 2½ cups)
  • 3 teaspoons coconut oil (divided, optional)

Peanut Butter Filling

  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter (shelf-stable recommended)
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon table salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare Pan: Line a 6-cup muffin tin with silicone or paper liners. Alternatively, use 12 mini cupcake liners if making smaller peanut butter cups.
  2. Melt First Chocolate Layer: Place 1 cup chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until mostly melted with a few chunks remaining. Stir until smooth and glossy, then add 1 teaspoon coconut oil and stir to fully incorporate.
  3. Form Chocolate Base: Spoon about ½ tablespoon of the melted chocolate into each muffin liner, spreading it evenly with the back of the spoon. Chill the muffin tin in the refrigerator or freezer for 5 minutes to harden the chocolate base.
  4. Prepare Peanut Butter Filling: In a medium bowl, combine peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Using a handheld mixer on medium speed, blend until smooth and able to be shaped like soft cookie dough. Add 1-2 tablespoons extra powdered sugar if using natural peanut butter to thicken.
  5. Shape and Add Filling: Remove the chilled chocolate bases from the fridge. Portion about 1 tablespoon of the peanut butter mixture and shape it with your hands into a small disc slightly smaller than the cup. Place the disc inside each muffin cup atop the hardened chocolate base.
  6. Melt Remaining Chocolate: Place the remaining 1½ cups chocolate chips in a clean microwave-safe bowl. Repeat the melting process in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Stir in the remaining 2 teaspoons coconut oil until glossy.
  7. Cover Peanut Butter Layer: Pour about 2 teaspoons of melted chocolate over the peanut butter discs in each cup, smoothing with the back of the spoon and letting excess drip down sides to fully enclose the filling.
  8. Chill to Set: Return the peanut butter cups to the fridge to harden for about 1 hour, or speed up by placing them in the freezer for 10-15 minutes.
  9. Store and Serve: Once set, remove the cups from the muffin tin and liners if desired. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For best flavor and texture, allow to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before eating.

Notes

  • If using natural peanut butter, additional powdered sugar may be needed to achieve the right consistency.
  • Using silicone liners makes it easier to remove peanut butter cups without breaking.
  • The coconut oil is optional but helps achieve a smoother, shinier chocolate coating.
  • Peanut butter cups can be stored refrigerated or briefly frozen to speed setting but must be kept cold to maintain shape.
  • Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of powdered sugar in the peanut butter filling.

Keywords: peanut butter cups, homemade candy, chocolate peanut butter treat, easy dessert, no-bake candy

Find it online: https://victoriablair.com/homemade-peanut-butter-cups-recipe/