These Creamy Peanut Butter Cups are a homemade take on the classic chocolate treat, made with just a few simple ingredients. With a creamy peanut butter filling encased in rich, dark chocolate, they're indulgent, satisfying, and perfect for a quick dessert or snack.
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Why you'll love this recipe
Similar to making Kit Kat Bars or Coffee Crisp Bars, these Creamy Peanut Butter Cups are easy to make at home!
Minimal ingredients: using a few pantry staples you already have.
Naturally gluten-free: easy to make dairy-free or vegan.
No baking required: just melt, mix, and chill.
Customizable: use your favorite nut butter or chocolate.
Better than store-bought: no preservatives, or artificial flavors -- just pure peanut butter and chocolate!
Special equipment you'll need
paper candy liners: I used ones that were about 4.5 cm wide on the bottom, 6 cm on the top, with a height of 2 cm; you can use standard paper muffin liners, which are slightly wider, or silicone muffin cups
silicone spatula: for stirring/spreading the chocolate up the sides (optional)
offset spatula(s): for spreading the chocolate and peanut butter
Ingredients you'll need
- dark chocolate: chopped; use a good-quality chocolate for the best flavor
- creamy natural peanut butter: smooth works best; but you can use crunchy if you like the added texture
- powdered sugar: for a touch of sweetness, and helps the peanut butter hold up and not be too runny
- vanilla extract: optional, but adds extra flavor
How to make creamy peanut butter cups at home
Prepare the liners:
Line a muffin tin with paper candy liners (or use silicone molds). Note: the candy liners I used were about 4.5 cm wide on the bottom, 6 cm on the top, and have a height of 2 cm.
Make the peanut butter filling:
In a bowl, combine peanut butter with powdered sugar and vanilla extract (if using).
Mix well until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
Melt the chocolate:
In a heat-safe bowl, add the chopped chocolate and melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, until smooth (or use a double-boiler to melt the chocolate -- ensure that the chocolate doesn't come in contact with any steam or water).
Assemble:
Add about 1 tablespoon (14-15g) of melted chocolate into each muffin liner. Tap the pan to level.
Place into the fridge or freezer for 5 minutes to set.
Optional: use a small spoon or silicone spatula to add melted chocolate to the sides of the candy paper liner. If using tall muffin paper liners, you can skip this step.
Return to the fridge or freezer to set (another 5 minutes).
Add about 20g of peanut butter filling to each liner, and flatten with an offset spatula.
Return to the fridge or freezer for 5 minutes, to stiffen a little.
Cover the tops with about 16g of melted chocolate, and smooth and level off with an offset spatula.
Chill:
Return to the fridge or freezer for 15 minutes, or until completely set.
How to store
Fridge: Store the peanut butter cups in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months -- no need to thaw before enjoying!
Expert tips
Keep the chocolate warm: if the chocolate stiffens a little while you are waiting for the cups to set in the fridge/freezer, pop it back into the microwave to re-melt.
Add coconut oil (optional): for extra shine and to lower the chocolate's melting point, add a teaspoon of coconut oil to the chocolate and melt together.
Use all-natural peanut butter: you can use unsalted or salted. *Salted will balance out the overall sweetness. If your peanut butter is too stiff, warm it slightly or add in a touch of coconut oil.
Customize: adjust the amount of chocolate and peanut butter according to the size of your liners. Or shape into bars using a small loaf pan.
Try substituting in almond butter, cashew butter, or coconut mounds.
Add texture: swap in crunchy peanut butter, mix in crushed peanuts, coarse flaky salt, gold foil flakes (like I did!) or crisped rice for extra crunch.
Make them mini: use smaller mini candy liners for a smaller version.
Other delicious chocolate recipes you may like
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know if you try out this recipe -- I love seeing your creations! Tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer and be sure to leave me a comment/rating below!
Creamy Peanut Butter Cups
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For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.
Ingredients
- 180 g dark chocolate
- 120 ml creamy peanut butter
- 25 g powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract optional
Instructions
Prepare the liners:
- Line a muffin tin with paper candy liners (or use silicone molds). Note: the candy liners I used were about 4.5cm wide on the bottom, 6cm on the top, and a height of 2cm.
Make the peanut butter filling:
- In a bowl, combine peanut butter with powdered sugar and vanilla extract (if using).
- Mix well until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
Melt the chocolate:
- In a heat-safe bowl, add the chopped chocolate and melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, until smooth (or use a double-boiler to melt the chocolate -- ensure that the chocolate doesn't come in contact with any steam or water).
Assemble:
- Add about 1 tablespoon (14-15g) of melted chocolate into each muffin liner. Tap the pan to level.
- Place into the fridge or freezer for 5 minutes to set.
- Optional: use a small spoon or silicone spatula to add melted chocolate to the sides of the candy paper liner. If using muffin paper liners, you can skip this step.
- Return to the fridge or freezer to set (another 5 minutes).
- Add about 24g of peanut butter filling to each liner, and flatten with an offset spatula.
- Return to the fridge or freezer for 5 minutes, to stiffen a little.
- Cover the tops with about 16g of melted chocolate, and smooth and level off with an offset spatula.
Chill:
- Return to the fridge or freezer for 15 minutes, or until completely set.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.
Heidi
The delightful bite from the dark chocolate paired with the heavenly creamy peanut butter... this is the perfect chocolate lover treat! I also appreciated your great tip about using quality ingredients. Plus, your easy photo instructions make it so easy to visualize how to prepare it myself. Thank you for sharing this tasty treat!
Michelle
Thanks Heidi! Indeed, since this recipe has a few ingredients, quality will make a big difference! 🙂
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
Ooooh this is so much better than Reese's peanut butter cups that are overwhelmingly sweet. Just pure taste of peanut butter and dark chocolate with a touch of sweetness. Perfection!
Michelle
Thanks Ben -- simplicity at its best! 😀
Tasia
The girls and I were craving a treat today and had all the ingredients. So yummy and easy to make. We did half of the peanut butter cups with white chocolate instead of dark, both were delish!
Michelle
Hi Tasia, that's amazing to hear! And the white chocolate mix sounds so yummy!
Raymund | angsarap.net
Looks better than that commercial ones 😉
Michelle
Yay, thanks Raymund! 😀
David @ Spiced
This is such a classic recipe, and I love that you used dark chocolate here. These peanut butter cups would not be safe in our house!!
Michelle
Thanks David, the boys devoured them as soon as they saw them in the fridge! 😀