Dessert

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups Recipe

Bylilan Sage November 17, 2025November 17, 2025

Introduction

These homemade peanut butter cups are a deliciously smooth and creamy treat that combines rich milk chocolate with a sweet peanut butter center. Easier to make than you might think, they’re perfect for satisfying your chocolate cravings at home.

The image shows two stacked chocolate peanut butter cups resting inside a white paper cup liner. The top cup has a bite taken from it, revealing three layers: a smooth, shiny dark chocolate top layer, a thick middle layer of creamy, light brown peanut butter, and a darker chocolate base layer that looks slightly crumbly. The cups have ridged edges, and the paper liner is crinkled around them. The background is a wooden surface with more chocolate peanut butter cups out of focus. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

½ cup (129 g) creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
¼ cup (31 g) confectioners’ sugar
2 cups (364 g) milk chocolate chips

Instructions

Step 1: Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners and set aside.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter, unsalted butter, and confectioners’ sugar. Use a hand mixer on low speed to blend until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
Step 3: Place the milk chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20-second increments, stirring after each, until the chocolate is melted and creamy—this should take about 1 to 2 minutes total.
Step 4: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of melted chocolate into the bottom of each muffin liner, ensuring the bottom is fully coated.
Step 5: Add 2 heaping teaspoons of the peanut butter mixture on top of the chocolate layer in the center of each cup.
Step 6: Cover the peanut butter layer with another tablespoon of melted chocolate. Gently tap the muffin tin on the counter to smooth out the tops and help the chocolate settle evenly.
Step 7: Refrigerate the peanut butter cups for at least 1 hour, or until fully set, before serving.

Tips & Variations

For a crunchier texture, add a pinch of crushed roasted peanuts to the peanut butter mixture before assembling.
Use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate for a richer, less sweet flavor.
To make them vegan, substitute the butter with coconut oil and use dairy-free chocolate chips.

Storage

Store the peanut butter cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months. To serve, allow them to sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly.

How to Serve

The image shows a metal tray holding eight chocolate peanut butter cups, each in white paper liners. The peanut butter cups have a smooth, dark brown chocolate top layer with some slight texture and shine. One cup is cut in half to reveal two inside layers: a thick bright golden peanut butter middle layer surrounded by an outer dark chocolate layer. There is a small white cup filled with creamy, bright golden peanut butter placed on the upper right side of the tray. One empty white paper liner with yellow and gray stripes sits on the lower right corner of the tray. The tray is on a wooden surface replaced by a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Yes, crunchy peanut butter can be used to add extra texture, but the filling may be less smooth.

What’s the best way to melt chocolate evenly?

Microwaving in short 20-second bursts while stirring frequently prevents burning and ensures smooth, even melting.

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 109 reviews

Author: lilan
Total Time: 1 hour 12 minutes
Yield: 12 peanut butter cups 1x

Description

These homemade peanut butter cups combine creamy peanut butter with rich milk chocolate for a perfect sweet and salty treat. Easy to prepare and no baking required, they are a delightful indulgence that can be made quickly with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Peanut Butter Filling

½ cup (129 g) creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
¼ cup (31 g) confectioners’ sugar

Chocolate Coating

2 cups (364 g) milk chocolate chips

Instructions

Line muffin tin: Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners and set it aside to prepare for assembling the cups.
Combine peanut butter mixture: In a medium bowl, add the creamy peanut butter, room temperature unsalted butter, and confectioners’ sugar. Use a hand mixer on low speed to blend all ingredients until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
Melt chocolate: Place the milk chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20-second increments, stirring after each interval, until the chocolate is fully melted and creamy, about 1 to 2 minutes total.
Assemble peanut butter cups: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of melted chocolate into the bottom of each muffin liner, spreading it to coat the bottom fully. Next, add 2 heaping teaspoons of the peanut butter mixture on top of the chocolate in the center. Cover the peanut butter layer with another tablespoon of melted chocolate. Gently tap the muffin tin on the countertop to settle and smooth the tops.
Chill to set: Refrigerate the assembled peanut butter cups for 1 hour or until the chocolate is firm and set before serving.

Notes

Ensure butter for the peanut butter mixture is at room temperature for easier mixing.
Use high-quality milk chocolate for a richer flavor.
To avoid grainy or burnt chocolate, melt slowly and stir well between each microwave interval.
Store peanut butter cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
Variations: Substitute milk chocolate with dark or white chocolate as preferred.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Keywords: homemade peanut butter cups, peanut butter chocolate cups, no-bake dessert, easy chocolate candy, peanut butter treat

lilan Sage

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