Description
These Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups are a delicious and easy-to-make treat combining creamy peanut butter filling with a rich chocolate coating. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth, these cups are made with simple ingredients and require no baking, making them a quick and delightful dessert or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Base
- 16 ounces chocolate chips (divided; approximately 2½ cups)
- 3 teaspoons coconut oil (divided, optional)
Peanut Butter Filling
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter (shelf-stable is best)
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
Instructions
- Prepare Pan: Line a 6-cup muffin tin with silicone or paper liners, or use a 12-cup mini cupcake liners if you prefer smaller peanut butter cups.
- Assemble Chocolate Base: Place 1 cup of chocolate chips into a heat-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until mostly melted but still slightly chunky. Stir continuously to fully melt using residual heat. Stir in 1 teaspoon of coconut oil until glossy.
- Form Chocolate Base: Spoon about ½ tablespoon of melted chocolate into each muffin cup and spread it evenly with the back of a spoon. Chill in the fridge or freezer for 5 minutes to harden the base.
- Prepare Peanut Butter Filling: Combine ½ cup creamy peanut butter, ¼ cup powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Use a handheld mixer on medium speed to blend until smooth and firm like soft cookie dough. Add extra powdered sugar if using natural peanut butter to thicken.
- Shape Peanut Butter Discs: Remove the muffin tin from the fridge. Shape about 1 tablespoon of peanut butter mixture into small discs slightly smaller than the chocolate base and place on top of each hardened chocolate layer.
- Melt Remaining Chocolate: Put remaining 1½ cups of chocolate chips in a clean heat-safe bowl and microwave using 30-second intervals, stirring to mostly melt with a few chunks remaining. Stir fully to melt with residual heat. Add remaining 2 teaspoons coconut oil and stir until smooth and glossy.
- Cover Peanut Butter: Pour about 2 teaspoons of melted chocolate over each peanut butter disc, smoothing with the back of a spoon and allowing excess chocolate to drip down sides to encase the filling.
- Harden Peanut Butter Cups: Return the tray to the fridge to harden for about an hour, or place in the freezer for 10-15 minutes for faster setting.
- Store and Serve: Once hardened, remove peanut butter cups from the tin and liners if desired. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Allow to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving for optimal texture and flavor.
Notes
- For natural peanut butter, add 1-2 tablespoons more powdered sugar to get a firmer filling.
- If desired, use silicone liners for easier removal of peanut butter cups.
- Allow the cups to sit at room temperature before eating to soften the chocolate slightly and enhance flavor.
- Store peanut butter cups refrigerated to keep shape, but bring to room temperature before serving.
