Name: Homemade Peanut Butter Cups Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 2 min
Total time: 1 h 17 min
Cuisine: American
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

Jump to Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for the ultimate sweet treat that’s easy to whip up and always impresses, Homemade Peanut Butter Cups fit the bill perfectly. Imagine biting through a silky layer of creamy chocolate into a melt-in-your-mouth peanut butter center—pure bliss for candy lovers! Whether you’re making them for special occasions, edible gifts, or a weeknight indulgence, these little delights deliver nostalgia and unbeatable flavor in every bite.

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What’s truly magical about Homemade Peanut Butter Cups is how such a short grocery list creates chewy, creamy, and chocolatey perfection. Each ingredient plays its part—no shortcuts here—and you’ll taste the difference.

Creamy Peanut Butter: Opt for your favorite brand; the smoother, the better for that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Unsalted Butter (room temperature): Soft butter blends easily, making the peanut butter filling extra rich and decadent.
Confectioners’ Sugar: This super-fine sugar dissolves quickly, sweetening the filling and lending it a fudge-like consistency.
Milk Chocolate Chips: Melted to creamy perfection, they’re the irresistible exterior that balances the salty-sweet center.

How to Make Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

Step 1: Line Your Muffin Tin

Start by lining a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. This simple step ensures your Homemade Peanut Butter Cups release easily, with neat, chocolatey edges every time.

Step 2: Prepare the Peanut Butter Filling

In a medium bowl, add the creamy peanut butter, unsalted butter, and confectioners’ sugar. Using a hand mixer on low speed, blend until the mixture is completely smooth and holds together—it should look thick and irresistible! Set aside; try not to sneak too many tastes.

Step 3: Melt the Chocolate

Place milk chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring after each session. Keep going until the chocolate is silky smooth; it usually takes about 1 to 2 minutes. Stir well—no lumps allowed!

Step 4: Assemble the Peanut Butter Cups

Spoon about 1 tablespoon of melted chocolate into the bottom of each muffin liner, spreading it so it covers the base completely. Drop in 2 heaping teaspoons of the peanut butter filling right in the center. Top with another tablespoon of melted chocolate, making sure the peanut butter is fully blanketed. Give the pan a gentle tap on the counter—this helps any bubbles escape and flattens the tops beautifully.

Step 5: Chill Until Set

Pop the filled muffin tin into the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until the Homemade Peanut Butter Cups are completely firm. Once set, they’re ready to pop out of their liners and meet your taste buds!

How to Serve Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

Garnishes

To elevate your peanut butter cups, try a light sprinkle of flaked sea salt on top just before the chocolate sets—or swirl a tiny drizzle of melted peanut butter or white chocolate for added flair. Mini chocolate chips or chopped roasted peanuts also add crunch and pizzazz.

Side Dishes

While Homemade Peanut Butter Cups truly shine on their own, pair them with a frothy cappuccino, a glass of cold milk, or fresh berries for a delightful after-dinner treat. They also make a decadent companion alongside a platter of mixed cookies or brownies for a dessert board.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifting or parties, stack the peanut butter cups in a mason jar tied with ribbon, or lay them in mini cupcake wrappers on a fancy tray. At home, surprise the family by chopping them up and scattering over ice cream or stirring chunks into homemade milkshakes.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Homemade Peanut Butter Cups in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For the freshest taste and texture, place a sheet of parchment between layers to keep them from sticking together.

Freezing

If you’d like to make a big batch ahead of time, Homemade Peanut Butter Cups freeze beautifully. Arrange them in a single layer (or separated by parchment) in a freezer-safe container and enjoy within two months. Thaw at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving for the best results.

Reheating

There’s really no need to reheat these treats—just let any refrigerated or frozen cups sit at room temperature for a few minutes to regain their creamy texture and full flavor. Melting them in the microwave isn’t recommended, as you risk losing that classic snap and creamy bite.

FAQs

Can I use dark or semi-sweet chocolate instead of milk chocolate?

Absolutely! Swap in your preferred chocolate type if you like a richer or slightly less sweet cup. Just melt and assemble as directed, and enjoy a whole new twist on Homemade Peanut Butter Cups.

Can I use crunchy peanut butter?

Yes, using crunchy peanut butter is a fun way to add extra texture and a bit of peanutty crunch to the center. Just know it’ll be less silky-smooth but no less delicious.

Do these need to be refrigerated after making?

If your kitchen runs warm or you want to keep them nice and firm, store Homemade Peanut Butter Cups in the fridge. Otherwise, a cool pantry is fine for a few days. Chilled cups have an extra-snappy chocolate shell, which many people love!

How do I make the peanut butter filling less sweet?

If you prefer a more savory bite, simply reduce the confectioners’ sugar or swap some of it for a pinch of sea salt. The flavor is easy to adjust to your taste preferences.

Can I double or halve the recipe?

Yes! This recipe is endlessly flexible. Halve it for a small batch, or double (or even triple!) to feed a crowd or prep ahead for the holidays—just adjust pan sizes or work in batches as needed.

Final Thoughts

There’s something heartwarming about making Homemade Peanut Butter Cups from scratch—a simple joy that fills your kitchen with chocolatey, peanut-buttery aroma and your life with smiles. Give this recipe a try, share with friends, and watch them disappear faster than you ever expected!

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 29 reviews

Author: lina
Total Time: 1 hour 17 minutes
Yield: 12 peanut butter cups 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the rich and creamy goodness of these Homemade Peanut Butter Cups. A perfect combination of silky milk chocolate and luscious peanut butter, these treats are sure to satisfy your sweet cravings.

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 liners. Set aside.
Combine peanut butter, butter, and sugar. In a medium bowl, mix peanut butter, butter, and confectioners’ sugar with a hand mixer on low until well combined. Set aside.
Melt chocolate. Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted and smooth (about 1-2 minutes total).
Assemble peanut butter cups. Spoon a tablespoon of melted chocolate into each muffin cup, spreading it to coat the bottom. Add 2 teaspoons of peanut butter mixture to the center. Top with another tablespoon of chocolate, tapping the tin to smooth out the tops.
Chill and serve. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until set before enjoying.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American