PEANUT BUTTER CUP RECIPE (2024)

Homemade Peanut Butter Cup recipe made with a handful of ingredients & so much better than store bought versions. These mini peanut butter cups are a fun, festive addition to holiday candy trays!

These homemade peanut butter cups are a great treat to make and share with family and friends at your next get together or event. Everyone will go crazy for these homemade candies. The combination of flavors in this chocolate candy recipe is phenomenal. It is no secret that peanut butter and chocolate are the perfect pair.

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

Dare I say that these chocolate peanut butter cups are even better than their store-bought competitors? From the light, buttery filling inside, to the smooth chocolate coating, every bite is as satisfying as the last. These homemade chocolate and peanut butter treats will satisfy any sweet craving you may have.

This candy recipe is made in a mini muffin pan, meaning there will be lots of tasty treats to snack on for weeks to come. Give this amazing recipe a try and see just how delicious these homemade peanut butter cups are!

Why you’ll love these homemade peanut butter cups

• You can use your favorite chocolate. Make some tasty dark chocolate peanut butter cups for a slightly healthier version, or keep it classic with some milk chocolate. White chocolate would also taste incredible and be great for a seasonal version.
• Simple ingredients. We use very basic ingredients to make this recipe, like peanut butter, chocolate, shortening, and powdered sugar. You most likely have several of the ingredients on hand already, making any necessary shopping trips pretty simple and short.
• The process is quick! Even though you are making over 30 peanut butter cups, the process to make them is very easy to follow. It all happens rather fast too, thanks to the fridge for making our chocolate to set a little more quickly.

Peanut Butter Cup Ingredients

Chocolate chips: You will need 2 ⅓ cups of milk chocolate chips, but you could swap them out for semi-sweet chocolate or even dark chocolate if preferred.

Shortening: Use 2 teaspoons of shortening to help the chocolate melt down smoothly and evenly.

Powdered sugar: Using 1 ¾ cups of powdered sugar will make the filling thick and sweet.

Peanut butter: Add in 1 cup of creamy peanut butter for a smooth filling, but if you want a little crunch, you can use crunchy peanut butter instead.

Butter: You need ¼ cup of salted butter, which is at room temperature. This will make the filling rich in taste so that it can “melt in your mouth.” You could also use unsalted butter if that’s what you have on hand, but you will want to add in ⅛ teaspoon of salt if you do this.

Vanilla extract: Use 1 ½ teaspoons of vanilla extract for added flavor in this homemade candy.

Salt: To bring out the flavors and really enhance this treat, add in 1 teaspoon of salt.

How to make this Peanut Butter Cup Recipe

Prep

Begin by lining a mini muffin pan with mini muffin pan paper liners. Note, you may have to do this in batches, depending on the size of your pan. Set the pan aside.

Melt chocolate

In a medium size bowl, add in half of the chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon of shortening, heat in the microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds, stopping every 30 seconds to stir until it is completely melted and smooth. It is very important to stop every 30 seconds and stir when melting the chocolate. This will prevent any scorching, which would make the chocolate have a bitter taste.

Chocolate base

Once the chocolate has melted completely, spoon about 1 teaspoon of chocolate into the bottom of each paper liner.

Then use the back of a spoon to drag the chocolate up the sides of the paper liners and allow the excess chocolate to pool at the bottom of the liner.

Once all of the liners have been coated with chocolate, place the mini muffin pan into the fridge to chill for 5 minutes.

Filling

While the chocolate is setting, begin making the filling.

In a medium size bowl, combine the powdered sugar, peanut butter, softened butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk by hand or beat with an electric mixer, until smooth and well combined. Set aside.

Top layer of chocolate

Once the chocolate in the paper liners has set, remove the pan from the fridge.

In a small bowl, microwave the remaining chocolate chips and shortening. Place into the microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds, stopping to stir every 30 seconds until completely smooth. Once fully melted, remove from the microwave.

Assemble

Proceed to scoop out about 1-1.5 teaspoons of the peanut butter mixture and place it into the chocolate-coated muffin liners. This amount should be enough to fill the muffin liners, leaving just a little space at the top for more chocolate.

Once all the liners have been filled with peanut butter, spoon enough of the melted chocolate over the top to cover the peanut butter and smooth out the top.

Let set

After all the peanut butter cups have been made and covered in chocolate, let them set until the chocolate has hardened before serving. You can speed this process up by returning the muffin pan to the fridge for about 10 minutes.

Serve and enjoy!

Tip for Adding Peanut Butter Filling

If you are having trouble scooping the peanut butter filling into the muffin cavities, you can use a piping bag instead. Simply spoon the peanut butter filling into a piping bag, cut the tip off, and then pipe the filling into the chocolate-coated liners.

How long are peanut butter cups good for?

These peanut butter cups can be kept stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Depending on your preferences, you can keep them at room temperature or in the fridge.

Can I freeze peanut butter cups?

Yes! These peanut butter cups freeze really well. Simply store them in a freezer baggie or container and freeze them for up to 3 months. Once ready to consume, place them on the counter at room temp for a few minutes.

Cups to Tablespoons Conversion Chart

In the chart above, the abbreviations are as follows:

TBSP = Tablespoons

Fl oz = Fluid Ounces

ml = milliliters

Tsp = teaspoons

Check out these other great candy recipes!

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• BUCKEYE BALLS RECIPE
• OREO FUDGE
• GOOEY CARAMEL POPCORN
• CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH TRUFFLES
• RASPBERRY JELLY CANDY
• HOMEMADE CANDY CORN
• PEANUT BRITTLE: MADE IN THE MICROWAVE IN LESS THAN 10 MINUTES!!
• HOMEMADE ALMOND JOY BARS
• CHOCOLATE CARAMELS

This Peanut Butter Cup Recipe is an incredible homemade treat that is so delectable and is sure to surpass the store-bought option. Everything about these homemade peanut butter cups is amazing. From the easy steps to the end results, they do not disappoint!