Better Than Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (2024)

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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 storebought 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 will 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 storebought 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 the 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.

Here are a few other recipes you may like:

Easy Egg Custard Recipe

3-Ingredient Fudge

Chocolate Banana Muffins

Chocolate Crinkles Cookies

No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

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.

Tags

chocolate peanut butter

61 Comments

1. Danuta

   January 3, 2024 at 4:20 pm·Reply

   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?

   • Matt Taylor

     January 4, 2024 at 10:49 am·Reply

     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.

2. Theresa

   November 26, 2022 at 9:36 am·Reply

   
   Better than Reece Cups!!!

   • Matt Taylor

     November 26, 2022 at 9:41 am·Reply

     See Also

     Sliced Potatoes in the Air Fryer | Everyday Family Cooking

     Yes! 🙂

3. Lisa M

   October 24, 2022 at 6:29 pm·Reply

   
   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.

   • Matt Taylor

     October 25, 2022 at 8:26 am·Reply

     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.

4. Parminder kaur

   October 1, 2022 at 4:53 pm·Reply

   
   Would love to have your recipes

   • Matt Taylor

     October 2, 2022 at 3:56 pm·Reply

     You can find all my recipes on my website. https://www.inthekitchenwithmatt.com/

5. Chris

   September 17, 2022 at 1:21 pm·Reply

   Great easy recipe! I rolled the filling into a log and sliced off discs. My grandchildren will love making these.

   • Matt Taylor

     September 19, 2022 at 8:29 am·Reply

     Glad you tried it and liked it, Chris! And great idea rolling it into a log.

6. Emily

   March 31, 2022 at 3:55 pm·Reply

   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.

   • Matt Taylor

     March 31, 2022 at 3:58 pm·Reply

     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. 🙂

7. Roh

   February 6, 2022 at 1:43 pm·Reply

   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.

   • Matt Taylor

     February 6, 2022 at 7:13 pm·Reply

     For sure! I have a keto version which is low-carb. This recipe is very versatile. So many options!

8. Dorothy Herman

   July 13, 2021 at 8:41 am·Reply

   
   Hello inthekitchenwithmatt.com want give me good it ok give me write copy for me HomeMade Butter Reese’s Cup my address Dorothy Herman 2015 EVANS RD LOT A FRAKLINTON NC 27525 Easter Nice Day Prayer Faith GodBless Thankyou Smile

9. Stacey

   May 19, 2021 at 8:09 pm·Reply

   
   What can I use in place of the muffin cups if I don’t have any?

   • Matt Taylor

     May 19, 2021 at 9:28 pm·Reply

     You can probably use small pieces of parchment paper and push it down in the muffin pan cavities.

   • Sueann Busam

     November 12, 2021 at 9:32 am·Reply

     Buy silicone liners and they could be reused over and over

     • Matt Taylor

       November 14, 2021 at 4:58 pm·Reply

       Yes, you can certainly buy the silicone ones!

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