Rating: 3.85
(176)

Peanut Butter Cups

September 25, 2024

There’s something magical about the combination of peanut butter and chocolate. And when those two ingredients come together in the form of Peanut Butter Cups, the result is pure indulgence. While store-bought versions are always tempting, making your own at home is easier than you might think, and even more delicious.

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups require just a few ingredients and no baking, making them the perfect treat when you’re short on time but craving something sweet and satisfying. The rich, velvety chocolate pairs beautifully with the slightly salty, creamy peanut butter center. Best of all, you can control the sweetness and texture, adjusting it to your personal preference.

To make them, simply melt semi-sweet or dark chocolate and spoon a small layer into mini muffin liners or silicone molds. Pop them in the freezer for a few minutes to set. In the meantime, mix peanut butter with a touch of powdered sugar, coconut flour, or crushed graham crackers to create a thicker filling. Roll the filling into small balls or press it into discs and place them over the hardened chocolate base. Cover with more melted chocolate and smooth the tops before returning them to the fridge or freezer to firm up.

Once set, these Peanut Butter Cups are ready to enjoy. Keep them in the fridge for a firm, chilled treat, or let them sit at room temperature for a softer bite.

You can even get creative with add-ins like sea salt flakes, crushed peanuts, or a drizzle of white chocolate on top. Swap peanut butter for almond or cashew butter for a twist, or use sugar-free chocolate for a low-carb version.

Whether you’re whipping up a batch for a party, gifting them to a friend, or just treating yourself, these homemade Peanut Butter Cups deliver that nostalgic taste with a touch of homemade charm.

Peanut Butter Cups
Peanut Butter Cups
3.85 from 176 votes
These homemade Peanut Butter Cups are a delicious and easy-to-make treat combining smooth peanut butter encased in rich chocolate. Perfect for any occasion!
Servings 1 people
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup peanut butter you can use natural or regular peanut butter, creamy
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips if preferred
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or coconut oil

Instructions
 

  • In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter, unsalted butter, and brown sugar until smooth.
  • Gradually add in the powdered sugar and mix until fully incorporated. Set this mixture aside.
  • Melt the chocolate chips and vegetable oil in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until smooth and completely melted.
  • Spoon a small amount of the melted chocolate mixture into the bottom of each cupcake liner, filling about 1/3 of each liner.
  • Place the liners in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to set.
  • Remove liners from the refrigerator, add a spoonful of the peanut butter mixture on top of the set chocolate, and flatten it slightly.
  • Cover the peanut butter layer with melted chocolate until each liner is almost full.
  • Refrigerate the liners for another 20 minutes or until the chocolate is completely set.
  • Remove Peanut Butter Cups from the liners and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 4gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 120mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gCalcium: 2mgIron: 6mg
Calories: 200kcal
Meal Type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chocolate, dessert, homemade
Cooking Method: Baked
Diet: Low-carb
Time: 30-45 Min
Level: Easy
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Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar winford.brown says:

    5 stars
    Yum! I added a bit of sea salt on top before setting. Next level deliciousness!

  2. User avatar Hasimir Fenring says:

    2 stars
    Not as good as store-bought ones. The chocolate didn’t melt well for me, and I messed up the ratios. 🤷‍♂️

    1. User avatar basementDweller says:

      4 stars
      I find store-bought ones a bit too sweet sometimes! I think homemade are way better if you get the ratios right. Keep trying! 🍫

  3. User avatar hank.homenick9 says:

    4 stars
    This is a weird combo of creamy peanut butter + powdered sugar + butter + sugar. I was skeptical, but it actually tastes like a real candy.

  4. User avatar shondra.kirlin10 says:

    5 stars
    These were amazing! My kids LOVED them!

  5. User avatar michal.farrell84 says:

    4 stars
    Pretty good! Mine came out a little soft though, probably because I didn’t refrigerate the first layer long enough. Next time I’ll chill closer to 15 minutes.

    1. User avatar darrel.dietrich2014 says:

      5 stars
      Thanks for sharing! I’ve had the same issue when I rush the chill step. 15 minutes seems right—especially if your kitchen is warm.

  6. User avatar jeffery.schuster says:

    4 stars
    I don’t have a microwave, can I just melt the chocolate on the stove? 🤔

  7. 2 stars
    I think the recipe is a bit too sweet. Next time, I might cut down on the sugar. 2 stars.

  8. User avatar loren.gerhold2024 says:

    4 stars
    Pretty easy, but I had to add a little more powdered sugar because mine was too runny. Once I adjusted, it was fine. Still tasty!

  9. 4 stars
    Easy enough, and the chocolate layer came out nice and smooth. Next time I’ll maybe use a tiny pinch less powdered sugar—just personal preference.

  10. User avatar jean.kirlin28 says:

    5 stars
    These are amazing! I can’t believe how easy it was to make them. They’re even better than the store bought ones!

    1. 5 stars
      I totally agree! These homemade ones are the best! I added a sprinkle of sea salt on top, and it was incredible!

    2. User avatar kayla.hettinger says:

      3 stars
      They sound easy, but aren’t they a bit messy? I always have trouble with chocolate melting properly.

  11. User avatar Ronny Aufderhar says:

    3 stars
    Why does it say brown sugar + powdered sugar? I tried it exactly and it was like eating peanut butter frosting 😅. Still good though.

  12. User avatar louis.mcclure3 says:

    4 stars
    The ratios seem off, how can it have a cup of sugar and still taste good?

  13. User avatar octavia.little95 says:

    3 stars
    Yum! But too sweet for me. Next time I’ll cut down on the sugar.

  14. User avatar willa.barrows56 says:

    4 stars
    Why do you add butter? Isn’t the peanut butter fat enough? Seems unnecessary to me.

  15. User avatar duane.kutch says:

    5 stars
    These are dangerously good. I used natural peanut butter and had to mix a little longer, but they set up perfectly in the fridge.

  16. 4 stars
    The steps are clear, but I had to add a little extra oil because my chocolate seized a bit. After that they turned out fine and pretty close to store-bought.

  17. 5 stars
    WOW so good!!! I ate them all in one day lol.

  18. User avatar Rod Schamberger says:

    2 stars
    I tried this recipe but mine didn’t turn out right. The chocolate didn’t harden properly. Maybe I did something wrong?

    1. User avatar terina.romaguera2006 says:

      4 stars
      Sounds like you might’ve skipped a step! Make sure the chocolate is fully melted before adding it. Don’t worry, it happens to everyone! Keep trying!

  19. 4 stars
    Peanut butter and choclate, why not?? Delish!

  20. User avatar mickey.reichert82 says:

    4 stars
    I dunno if this is healthy, but I ain’t complainin! They taste amazing! 4 for flavor, but not for diet.

  21. User avatar darell.rodriguez68 says:

    5 stars
    So good! I added a sprinkle of sea salt on top of the chocolate and it really made them pop! Yum!

  22. 4 stars
    Simple and tasty! I used dark chocolate instead, wow so good!

  23. 3 stars
    Not bad but the chocolate was too sweet for me. Maybe less sugar next time?

  24. User avatar basil.nicolas59 says:

    5 stars
    Mmmm, died and went to heaven! Can’t believe I made these myself. Best treat ever!

  25. 4 stars
    So easy, but I think I messed up the chocolate melting part… still tasted good tho!

  26. 3 stars
    This is way too sweet for me. I think I’ll cut the sugar next time. Also, isn’t 2 cups of chocolate kinda much?

    1. User avatar Dwarven Centurion says:

      2 stars
      2 cups of chocolate? Are you kidding me? That’s like a whole bar! I like it sweet, but that’s too much for anyone.

    2. User avatar tod.cummerata97 says:

      4 stars
      I actually thought it was perfect! But I guess everyone’s taste is different. You do you!

  27. User avatar manual.russel2016 says:

    5 stars
    Yummy, very delicious! 🍫🥜

  28. 4 stars
    Yum! Used crunchy peanut butter and it added a nice texture! Next time I’ll double the batch. 😋

    1. 5 stars
      Sounds delicious! I love crunchy peanut butter too. Doubling the batch is a great idea!

    2. User avatar Nelida Tremblay says:

      3 stars
      I tried it with smooth peanut butter and it just didn’t hit the same 😒. Maybe I need to try your way.

  29. User avatar levi.ritchie8 says:

    3 stars
    Seemed too sweet for me. I prefer less sugar in my sweets. 🙁

  30. User avatar Hasimir Fenring says:

    5 stars
    These are AMAZING! Made them last night and they disappeared in minutes. Will definitely make again!

  31. User avatar gerardo.trantow81 says:

    2 stars
    I tried making these but they turned out gooey. I think I used too much peanut butter.

  32. User avatar kimberli.hand says:

    4 stars
    Can you use almond butter instead? I’m allergic to peanuts.

    1. User avatar Philip Haley says:

      5 stars
      Yeah, almond butter should work! Just make sure it’s smooth. 🤞

  33. User avatar danny.marvin says:

    3 stars
    Simple recipe but I accidentally used baking chocolate instead of chips. Brings a bitter taste… 3 stars, but I may try again.

  34. User avatar misha.kemmer91 says:

    5 stars
    These are AMAZING! My kids devoured them in no time. Definitely making again!

  35. 1 star
    Who would make these? Just buy them at the store, much easier! 🙄

  36. User avatar tyler.kautzer says:

    5 stars
    Best recipe ever! I made them for my boyfriend and he loved them! 😍

  37. User avatar Exie Bernhard says:

    5 stars
    Just wow. Took them to my office and they were gone in a flash! Thanks for sharing!

  38. User avatar porfirio.harber says:

    5 stars
    These are absolutely amazing! Tastes just like the store-bought ones but better.

  39. 5 stars
    Really foolproof recipe! If I can do it, anyone can. #bakingfailturnedsuccess

    1. User avatar judith.rodriguez96 says:

      5 stars
      So true! I can barely boil water, but these were super easy to make. Thanks for sharing! 😄

  40. User avatar Isadore Bell says:

    4 stars
    I was worried about the chocolate setting, but the 30-min total chill time did the trick. Texture is smooth, not gritty. Great ratio of peanut butter to chocolate.

  41. User avatar Deep Thought says:

    5 stars
    Super easy. Tasted amazing!

  42. User avatar odell.kub80 says:

    4 stars
    Woohoo! So easy and they taste just like Reese’s. I added some sea salt on top too!

    1. User avatar maurice.kilback23 says:

      5 stars
      I can’t believe how easy this is! Gonna try adding sea salt too! Thanks for the tip! 🌟

  43. User avatar omer.lakin25 says:

    3 stars
    I tried it but use chunky peanut butter instead. Less good? But still yummy!

  44. 1 star
    Waste of ingredients, didn’t like at all.

  45. 5 stars
    These were AMAZING! Super easy to make and they turned out perfect! Definitely a keeper! 🍫

  46. User avatar deangelo.williamson65 says:

    4 stars
    Easy and quick recipe. Thanks! Made these for a party and they disappeared fast!

    1. User avatar hortensia.mills says:

      5 stars
      So glad to hear that! They’re always a hit at parties! 🎉

  47. User avatar Jonathan Batz says:

    3 stars
    The instructions are clear, but mine didn’t fully harden after 20 minutes. I think my chocolate wasn’t melted quite right—stirring helped a lot.

    1. User avatar dane.brakus94 says:

      5 stars
      That happens sometimes—if the chocolate wasn’t fully melted/smooth, the structure won’t set right. Next time I’d keep microwaving in shorter bursts and make sure it’s glossy before pouring.

  48. User avatar casey.nikolaus1997 says:

    4 stars
    I forgot to add the butter!! They were still pretty good tho!

  49. User avatar terrance.kuhn10 says:

    3 stars
    Not bad, but I think I added too much powdered sugar. They turned out way too sweet for me.

  50. 5 stars
    These turned out so good—super rich and not too sweet. The texture is spot on once they set in the fridge. I used natural peanut butter and it still worked great.

  51. 5 stars
    Yum! Only thing I do different is add a bit of salt to the peanut butter, gives it a kick.

  52. User avatar andrew.kertzmann47 says:

    5 stars
    Peanut butter and chocolate? Yesss! Simple and satisfying!

  53. 5 stars
    These are amazing! Taste just like the store-bought ones, maybe even better! 5 stars!

  54. User avatar raven.botsford says:

    5 stars
    These turned out amazing! Can’t believe how easy they were to make. My family loved them! 🍫❤️

  55. User avatar stephen.jacobson1997 says:

    1 star
    Peanut butter cups? R they healthy? My doctor said sugar is bad for u. Thinking not to try.

  56. User avatar harriette.denesik says:

    4 stars
    Yummy! But I used almond butter instead of peanut butter. Still turned out great!

  57. 5 stars
    Soo delicious! Perfect for my sweet tooth!

    1. User avatar philip.monahan says:

      5 stars
      Yum! I love peanut butter! Can’t wait to try this recipe myself. Thanks for sharing!

  58. 5 stars
    So good, I can’t believe how easy this was! Definitely making these again!

    1. User avatar vivan.barrows says:

      5 stars
      I can’t wait to try this! Peanut butter cups are my favorite. Thanks for sharing!

    2. User avatar katrice.feest43 says:

      3 stars
      They look good, but aren’t they too sweet? I prefer less sugar in snacks.

  59. 5 stars
    Made these for a party and they were gone in seconds! Definitely a hit!

  60. User avatar Johnnie Kulas says:

    3 stars
    Tried it but the chocolate was too hard. Maybe I did it wrong? 🤷‍♂️

  61. User avatar Random Dent says:

    2 stars
    Took too long to set up! Can I eat them before they are cold? Asking for a friend…

  62. User avatar Gandalf the Grey says:

    1 star
    Not good at all. My mixture was runny, and it all melted together. Really disappointed. 1 star!

  63. User avatar rich.landlord says:

    5 stars
    Super easy even for me (I’m not a baker). I don’t have cupcake liners sometimes, but I used small silicone molds and it still worked. Yum!

  64. User avatar theda.hills says:

    2 stars
    Honestly, they turned out kinda weird. Not sure if I did something wrong.

  65. 3 stars
    I had a hard time with the melting chocolate, it burned. Any tips?

    1. 5 stars
      Try to melt the chocolate on low power and stir it constantly. It helps to prevent burning. Good luck!

  66. User avatar Michael83 says:

    5 stars
    Yum, I love peanut butter cups! Best recipe I’ve found online. Thanks for sharing!

  67. User avatar don.hickle85 says:

    5 stars
    Yum! A family favorite now. My kids devoured them in minutes! Definitely making these again.

    1. User avatar lurline.collins1965 says:

      2 stars
      Not sure if I trust this recipe. Seems too easy. What’s the catch?

    2. User avatar arnulfo.rempel7 says:

      5 stars
      I’m glad your kids loved it! These are so addictive, I make them for every party!

  68. 1 star
    I don’t trust recipes that use butter and sugar together. Seems unhealthy. 1 star.

  69. User avatar dick.mayer32 says:

    4 stars
    Is there a dairy-free option for this? My pal is lactose intolerant.

  70. User avatar gilberto.harber says:

    3 stars
    They look nice but tasted kinda bland. I might add more sugar next time.

  71. User avatar carson.berge says:

    5 stars
    Peanut butter <3 5 stars!

    1. User avatar marlin.wisozk says:

      5 stars
      Peanut butter is the best! Can’t wait to make these. Thanks for sharing!

  72. User avatar hertha.ziemann1980 says:

    3 stars
    I tried making these but the chocolate didn’t melt right. Followed the instructions tho. What did I do wrong?

  73. User avatar osvaldo.rutherford4 says:

    3 stars
    I love peanut butter, but this was just OK. Not my favorite dessert.

  74. User avatar catharine.nikolaus says:

    3 stars
    Wait! Can I use crunchy peanut butter? Anyone tried?

  75. User avatar lazaro.torp says:

    3 stars
    Nice, but I think there’s too much butter in it?? Idk, maybe that’s just me.

  76. User avatar Dr. Beverley Turcotte says:

    5 stars
    These are amazing! I can’t believe how easy they are to make. My kids love them!

  77. User avatar rickiestmorty says:

    3 stars
    I had trouble with the chocolate melting. It turned out grainy. Not sure what went wrong. 3/5

  78. User avatar alex.graham says:

    3 stars
    I followed the recipe, but mine came out too sweet. Maybe less sugar next time?

  79. User avatar liberal.hero says:

    5 stars
    These are sooo good! I love making these for my family.

  80. User avatar melvin.dare7 says:

    5 stars
    So simple but so delicious! The butter made it creamy! Will make again for sure! 🤤

  81. User avatar codi.ruecker says:

    1 star
    Not impressed. I thought these would be easy but it was kinda complicated for no reason. Just buy them at the store.

  82. 5 stars
    Y’all, this is the best thing ever! I’ve made them 3 times this week! 🥜🍫❤️

  83. User avatar brianna.parker1983 says:

    2 stars
    I tried making these but the chocolate didn’t melt right. They turned out grainy. Not sure what went wrong.. 2 stars.

  84. 1 star
    Peanut butter & chocolate? Why not just buy Reese’s? Makes no sense to me. 🤔

    1. User avatar robby.lynch says:

      5 stars
      But making your own is way more fun! Plus, you can customize it to your taste. 🥜🍫

  85. User avatar margo.lynch says:

    5 stars
    YUM!! So good! My kids helped and they had fun. Easy recipe!

  86. User avatar Zaphod Beeblebrox says:

    5 stars
    So good!! Will make again! 🥜🍫

  87. User avatar aubrey.russel says:

    3 stars
    Why do u need the oil? Sounds strange to me… but maybe I’ll try it.

  88. User avatar cedric.gutkowski says:

    4 stars
    My kids love these! Easy to make and a great treat for them.

  89. User avatar Gandalf the Grey says:

    4 stars
    Okay, I was skeptical about melting chips with oil, but it actually made the chocolate smooth. My only issue was I didn’t chill long enough so the peanut layer shifted a bit.

    1. User avatar tissues_with_issues says:

      5 stars
      I’m glad it worked for you! The 10 minutes + 20 minutes is definitely important—if the peanut layer isn’t firm, it shifts. Next time try chilling a bit longer before adding the top chocolate.

  90. 5 stars
    Made these for a party and they disappeared FAST. I used natural peanut butter and they still set nicely—sweet, but not overly. Melting in short microwave bursts is the move.

  91. User avatar donte.thiel1994 says:

    5 stars
    So easy to make! I used almond butter instead, which worked fine. Will make again! 😀

  92. 2 stars
    I had a hard time melting the chocolate… it just wouldn’t smooth out. Any advice?

  93. User avatar leigh.maggio says:

    4 stars
    I’m not a baker but these were surprisingly easy. Thanks for the recipe!

  94. User avatar guillermo.murray22 says:

    3 stars
    I found this recipe a bit complicated. Don’t know if it’s worth the effort… 😕

  95. User avatar millard.smith says:

    3 stars
    I followed the steps but mine were kinda grainy. I think my powdered sugar wasn’t fully sifted and I mixed too fast. Still tasty tho—just not pretty.

  96. User avatar suspiciousCommentator says:

    5 stars
    These were a hit at my party! Very easy to make and everyone loved them. Definitely a 5!

  97. User avatar Rosamond McClure says:

    2 stars
    Where did I go wrong?! Mine didn’t set right and were a gooey mess!

    1. User avatar tabatha.ziemann85 says:

      3 stars
      Idk, but I never have this problem. Maybe u overmixed the peanut butter? Just a thought. 🤷‍♂️

    2. 4 stars
      Sounds like you might have not let them set long enough in the fridge. Try chilling them for longer next time! 🍫

  98. User avatar rick.herzog says:

    2 stars
    eh… could be more peanut, less chocolate? also i forgot to sift powdered sugar and it clumped a bit. will try again tho

  99. 4 stars
    Can I use almond butter instead of peanut butter? I wanna try it healthier.

  100. 2 stars
    I don’t get why everyone loves these. They just taste kinda sweet to me. 🤔

    1. User avatar Annamarie Wiza says:

      3 stars
      Sweet? Nah, they are just perfect! Maybe you didn’t let the chocolate melt enough? 🤷‍♂️

    2. User avatar belen.beier2021 says:

      4 stars
      I used to think that too! But I guess it’s the combo of sweet & salty that gets people. Give them another try! 🍫🥜

  101. User avatar weston.schmeler90 says:

    4 stars
    Tried them with dark chocolate instead, was pretty good. But my kids preffer milk chocolate.

  102. User avatar Max Quordlepleen says:

    3 stars
    I don’t know… too much sugar for my taste. The peanut filling is tasty, but it’s very sweet and a bit pasty. Chocolate layer is great, just needs less filling.

  103. 5 stars
    These peanut butter cups are heavenly! I couldn’t stop eating them. 😊

  104. User avatar nicolas.stoltenberg18 says:

    3 stars
    Very easy to make, but I think the sugar is a bit too much for my taste.

    1. 4 stars
      I thought the sugar was just right! Maybe try using less next time if it’s too sweet for you. 🤷‍♀️

  105. User avatar blondell.kuhic2012 says:

    3 stars
    Just okay, my kids liked them but I found them too rich for my taste. Maybe less chocolate next time?

    1. User avatar kori.considine1971 says:

      5 stars
      Rich? I dunno, they tasted great to me. Kids love em and that’s what matters, right? Just add more peanut butter next time! 🍫🥜

    2. User avatar dylan.dickinson1966 says:

      4 stars
      I get what you’re saying! They are pretty rich. Maybe try using less chocolate or a mix of dark and milk chocolate? Hope you find a balance! 😊

  106. User avatar Eccentrica Gallumbits says:

    2 stars
    I don’t know… I followed everything and they didn’t set right. Kinda messy. 2/5.

  107. User avatar Benedict Jakubowski says:

    2 stars
    Seriously? This is basically just candy. Not impressed. I thought it would be healthier.

    1. User avatar Maynard Fisher says:

      4 stars
      I understand your concern, but sometimes it’s nice to indulge a little! These are definitely a treat, not a health food.

  108. 2 stars
    Not gonna lie, I don’t get why there’s butter AND brown sugar in the peanut layer. Seems like it could get greasy. Mine was a little heavy, but friends still ate them.

    1. User avatar wayne.hermiston says:

      2 stars
      Yeahhhh that sounds greasy to me. I’d cut the butter in half or use all peanut butter + powdered sugar only. Otherwise it’s like… peanut frosting trapped in chocolate.

    2. User avatar leslie.krajcik says:

      4 stars
      I get what you mean, but the butter + brown sugar actually helps make the peanut layer more “candy-like” and not gritty. If it turned out heavy for you, maybe your peanut butter was extra runny or your brown sugar was packed extra tight.

  109. 5 stars
    These are so good! Even better than store-bought ones! Must try! 🥜🍫

  110. User avatar Fiddlesticks says:

    4 stars
    Peanut butter + chocolate = happiness. Made these for movie night and they were a hit with the kids! Woohoo!

3.85 from 176 votes
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