Homemade “Reese’s” Peanut Butter Cups

Homemade Reeses

I really don’t know what got into me! I can count on a couple of fingers the times I’ve attempted to make homemade candy in my life! But for some reason, when I saw this recipe for Peanut Butter cups on Rad Megan, it was like I was being pulled by an unseen force into the kitchen to make them!

It might have something to do with the fact that Reese’s Peanut Butter cups/eggs/hearts/Christmas trees, etc are my all-time favorite kind of candy…AND while I’ve seen many recipes for making a homemade version of them, I’ve never actually found one that I thought was something I could actually make!

While there is SOME finesse required when attempting to make these, the recipe and method couldn’t be easier! Not to mention you probably have all the ingredients in your kitchen cupboards right now. (I know I did!)

Homemade Reeses

Homemade “Reese’s” Peanut Butter Cups

Adapted from RadMegan

Ingredients:

  • 1 (16-ounce) jar creamy Natural Jif peanut butter (or use whatever you have)
  • 2 lbs. high-quality chocolate chips, milk or dark
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 4-6 Tbsp melted butter
  • Cooking spray
  • Mini cupcake liners

Step 1: Make The Filling

Melt butter in the microwave. Empty the peanut butter into a bowl and stir in the powdered sugar. Mix in 4 Tablespoons of melted butter. If it seems a little dry and crumbly, add another 1 to 2 Tablespoons of melted butter. Just enough to make into a thick, smooth filling. Set aside.

Homemade Reeses 3

Step 2: Melt The Chocolate & Assemble

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler (or the microwave), stirring often until it becomes smooth and velvety.

Homemade Reeses

Arrange your cupcake papers onto a baking sheet and lightly mist with cooking spray. (I used my mini muffin pans.)

Spoon the melted chocolate into the cupcake papers, coating the bottoms and sides entirely. I had to use one finger to “coax” the chocolate up the sides of the cupcake wrapper. Set the extra chocolate aside.

Homemade Reeses

Once all cupcake papers are coated, place the tray in the refrigerator to cool for about five to ten minutes.

Homemade Reeses
Homemade Reeses

Pipe or spoon the peanut butter mixture into the cooled chocolate cups. I used a Ziploc bag to pipe the mixture into the cups…SO fast and easy that way!

Homemade Reeses

When all the chocolate cups are filled, dip one finger into some water and then press down on each glob of filling to flatten a bit. Then spoon the remaining melted chocolate over the top of the peanut butter and place the tray back in the refrigerator for another 30-minutes to set completely. Recipe should yield about 55 mini peanut butter cups.

Homemade Reeses

I’m going to try and refrain from gushing too much over these things, but I have to say…these are DELICIOUS!!  The peanut butter filling is sooo creamy, and each splendid little bite is the perfect ratio of chocolate to peanut butter. (A crucial part of what makes this candy SO darn popular and appealing!)

Hopefully that wasn’t too gushy, but you can be certain it was sincere! :-) Enjoy!!

Homemade Reeses

Homemade “Reese’s” Peanut Butter Cup Recipe

Jill Nystul
While there is a little finesse required when attempting to make these delicious peanut butter bups, the recipe and method couldn’t be easier. And you probably have all the ingredients in your kitchen cupboards right now!
4.21 from 79 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 347 kcal

Equipment

  • Cooking spray
  • Mini cupcake liners

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz creamy peanut butter
  • 2 lb chocolate chips milk or semisweet
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 4-6 tbsp butter melted

Instructions
 

Peanut Butter Filling

  • Melt butter in microwave. Empty the peanut butter into a bowl and stir in the powdered sugar. Mix in 4 Tablespoons of melted butter. If it seems a little dry and crumbly, add another 1 to 2 Tablespoons of melted butter. Just enough to make into a thick, smooth filling. Set aside.

Chocolate Coating

  • Melt the chocolate in a double boiler (or the microwave), stirring often until it becomes smooth and velvety.
  • Arrange your cupcake papers onto a baking sheet and lightly mist with cooking spray. (I used my mini muffin pans.)
  • Spoon the melted chocolate into the cupcake papers, coating the bottoms and sides entirely. Set the extra chocolate aside.
  • Once all cupcake papers are coated, place the tray in the refrigerator to cool for 5-10 minutes.
  • Pipe or spoon the peanut butter mixture into the cooled chocolate cups.
  • When all the chocolate cups are filled, dip a finger into water and use it to flatten the filling. Then spoon the remaining melted chocolate over the top and place the tray back in the refrigerator for another 30 minutes to set completely.

Nutrition

Calories: 347kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 6gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 129mgPotassium: 122mgFiber: 2gSugar: 32gVitamin A: 145IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 53mgIron: 0.8mg

Read This Next


Jill Nystul Photo

Jill Nystul (aka Jillee)

Jill Nystul is an accomplished writer and author who founded the blog One Good Thing by Jillee in 2011. With over 30 years of experience in homemaking, she has become a trusted resource for contemporary homemakers by offering practical solutions to everyday household challenges.I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!

About Jillee

Jill Nystul

Jill’s 30 years of homemaking experience, make her the trusted source for practical household solutions.

About Jillee

MORE IDEAS FROM

Food & Recipes

4.21 from 79 votes (77 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

75 Comments

  1. Thank You Jillee ❤️I REALLY LOVE ❤️ the cookie Resting Hint❗️I ALWAYS Wondered Why Some recipes Spread Out SO Much And Others Not, I Guess I DIDNT Realise It WAS RecipeAnd The Cookies Look GREAT ALSO And SO DOES Homemade PeanutButter Cup For Cookies ❗️G-d❤️Bless

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  2. This is very similar to making Buckeyes – I melt a little paraffin in the melted chocolate and it makes the chocolate coating a little harder so the candies don’t melt so easily. I also mix a little vanilla in the peanut butter mixture

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  3. I am going to try and use chocolate Hershey bars mixed with about 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter. I make Peanut Butter Tandy cakes and this is what I use to top the bars.

    I like the idea of making Reese’s Peanut Butter bars instead of cups. That may be less time consuming and hopefully get the same delicious results as the cups. I am thinking of using extra large loaf / bread pans. And using a thicker layer of chocolate on the bottom of pan.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  4. Thanks for sharing such a fastidious thought, paragraph
    is fastidious, thats why i have read it completely

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  5. When I made peanut butter cups at Christmas I discovered a neat shortcut. Put the chocolate in one of those condiment bottles with the pointy nozzle (I got mine at walmart for about a dollar). you can melt it in that bottle and then just squeeze it into each cup. Super fast!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  6. My husband’s weakness is peanut butter cups…I start making these and I may never be able to leave the kitchen again!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  7. Is there a better way to coat the paper cupcakes? Using my finger ,it sure was a messy job

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  8. Pingback: What’s Really in Halloween Candy? | Gorgeouslim
  9. Pingback: Bears defense looks primed, as usual | Chicago Bears
  10. Pingback: Bears see good signs on offense | Chicago Bears News - chicagotribune.com
  11. Pingback: Hoge: Cut Week Really Not That Complicated For Bears | Chicago Bears
  12. Pingback: Guest Post: Homemade Reese’s Cups | the petite croissant
  13. Pingback: Homemade Reeses Peanut Butter Cups | What2Cook
  14. HI JILLIE, FORGIVE ME USING ALL CAPS, BUT REGULAR PRINT IS SO TINY I CANT READ IT. ANYWAY, I MADE YOUR RECIPE EXACTLY AS YOUR RECIPE CALLED FOR, HOWEVER , MY CHOC WAS SO HARD YOU COULD NOT BITE INTO THE CREAMY CENTER. I HAD TO CUT IT WITH A KNIFE TO SEE THE INSIDE AND JUST MELTED IT IN MY MOUTH. I COULD NOT JUST TAKE A BITE OF IT (AS ONE OF YOUR PICTURES SHOWS, SOMEONE EATING ONE AND IT SHOWS A BITE OUT OF IT) WHAT COULD I HAVE POSSIBLY HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY TO THE CHOCOLATE TO MAKE IT SO HARD. I LOVE PEANUT BUTTER CUPS SO MUCH, AND I WAS THRILLED TO FIND YOUR RECIPE, BUT HOW CAN I HAVE THEM TURN OUT LIKE YOURS. I WOULD BE SO GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD TELL ME WHAT I DID WRONG AND RECTIFY IT, MILLION THANKS , LUCY

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Hi Lucy, did you eat them straight out of the refrigerator? I had to let mine sit at room temperature before I could take a bite out of them.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Lucy, in response to your wondering why your choc. was hard, was it hard when you were dipping it into the liners..,if so you may have gotten water in the choc. & it will start to get hard. If that happens just add a small amt of oil to the choc. & it will get creamy again I melt my choc. in a small crock pot on low& it works well. I have been making these for yrs..along with almond joys & turtles. Hope this helps.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  15. OMG! Genius!!!!! This is my dad’s ultimate candy!…or,in his words,food. :) Mom is still trying to convince him that candy IS NOT FOOD!!!!! I tend to think like my dad…if it is edible and tastes good,it’s food allright! I am SO glad that somene FINALLY found a home made Reese’s peanut btter cups! THANK YOU!!! BUT ,there is a con…I am on a weight loss program.And this DOES NOT HELP!!!! Oh well,you need a treat every once in a while. ;) But,to make it less guilty every time I take a bite,what would you think about substituting coconut oil insted of butter?Tell me what you think.Well,baby’s crien’ so I should get a goin’! Ya”ll have a nice day!!!!!!!!!! ;)

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  16. Pingback: A Christmas Candy | for the love of the south
  17. If you wanna make your chocolate have a little better quality flavor for all your chocolate candy-making, melt a single Hershey bar into your chocolate you’re using and stir it in thoroughly. It gives your candy a higher quality taste without the bigger price.
    Meow Meow: And for sanitary purposes, you can use a real cheap crafter’s paint brush to ‘paint’ the chocolate up on the sides rather than using a bare finger-it works, is sanitary and is quick/easy.
    If you need them to set up quicker, once you’ve got them finished, pop the tray into the freezer for about 5 min-the chocolate will solidify quicker without freezing so you can continue a next batch quicker.
    :) Hope that helps!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  18. I just made these… in a cupcake pan, and had some left over peanut butter mixture so made a small pan of them too – for Reeses bars :) Thank you, thank you for all of the great tips and sharing such a fun, tasty, and simple recipe! (I’m thinking of making these and wrapping them in a candy dish and cellophane for a holiday hostess gift!)

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  19. Pingback: Pumpkin Filled Peanut Butter Cups
  20. so I have a question? Can you use white chocolate with this and do kind of half and half?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  21. Pingback: Homemade Peanut Butter Cups | Sugar, Spice, & Bacon
  22. I make theses all the time. Especially after Easter to get rid of the solid Easter bunny chocolate. The thing I do differently is I roll up my peanut butter in small balls and lay them all out on parchment paper first. Then I just spoon in some chocolate ( still melted) lay in the peanut butter and completely cover with chocolate. No side work with the choc as it fills up the cup anyway. I put mine in a freezer til it’s set then in a plastic coveted container in the fridge. One treat is equililent to one bar !!!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  23. Pingback: Scratch That – Peanut Butter Cups
  24. Pingback: Happy Halloween! « arrival gate
  25. Pingback: What’s Really in Halloween Candy | Greatist | Cayman Moms
  26. Pingback: What’s Really In Halloween Candy | FitnessFocussed.com
  27. Pingback: What’s Really In Halloween Candy | Greatist
  28. This is just like my mother in laws recipe except see rolled her peanut butter into little balls, she uses a bit more confectioner’s sugar. I like the idea of piping it in and I’ll try it this year. Everyone always looks forward to getting PB cups from me.
    I put enough chocolate in the bottom of the cup so that when you add the peanut butter it squishes the chocolate up the sides and then just a small amount of chocolate on top finishes it off.

    PS: you can get a block of chocolate from Trader Joe’s that melts great in the MW..

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  29. Pingback: Halloween paléo : reeses maison | Manger Paleo
  30. I have been dying to try a similar recipe that mixes cream cheese into the peanut butter filling. Does anyone have any comments on that approach? There also must be an easier way to get the chocolate on the sides of the cups… Maybe flatten out the paper cups and press them into the melted chocolate – I don’t know. I’m just not crazy about smearing each cup with my fingers… it sounds awkward and messy.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  31. My wife and I tried these last night, making a half batch of the PB and 6 mini muffin cups. First, their delish. Second, we warmed the PB in the double boiler until it was semi melted, then just shook the tray a little to flatten it it. Now I need to find some smaller cups to make more.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  32. May try using ice cube trays. Just finished the peanut butter filling, only to find out I don’t have enough mini cupcake cups.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  33. YOU are awesome!! been looking for a recipe for a long time (a good one!)

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  34. Okay. Here’s a version that will be a hit for a certain portion of the population: follow the instructions as shown, except use regular cupcake liners, filling using only enough chocolate in the first step to bring the chocolate up about 1/2 to 3/4 inches up the cup’s sides. After putting a nice layer of the peanut filing in, drop in a thin slice of banana on top of the peanut butter, then top with the chocolate. … Peanut butter & chocolate is great but peanut butter, chocolate & banana is fantastic.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  35. I am a huge Reese’s fan and this is my first time making them. I used cashews instead of peanut butter and this is HORRIBLE!! I made just the filling alone (taste it) and I am addicted! This is way better than Reese’s cup. I don’t know if I am going to be able to finish thank you so much for the recipe.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  36. just thought I would let you guy know try wowbutter if you have peanut allergies

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Hi Irene….the recipe should yield about 55 mini peanut butter cups. :-)

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  37. Oh. My. Gosh. These were INCREDIBLE. Found the recipe on Pinterest and knew I had to try. Thank you so much for sharing!!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  38. Hopefully these work because i have to do a project on these and make a video, wish me luck!!!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  39. Pingback: Heaven-Sent Peanut Butter Cookies | One Good Thing by Jillee
  40. These called to me, and I had to make them this weekend. YUM! Got to customize for my taste — more peanut butter:chocolate ratio, and used dark chocolate. Made WAY too many, so co-workers will be loving me today. Next time I’m trying white chocolate — or maybe white/dark chocolate combo! Would love to hear how the Splenda version worked.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  41. Thank you so much for this post. I tried these over the weekend and they were a huge hit! My hubby said they are brilliant…needless to say I’ll be making more soon!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  42. Those look wonderful! And I can make them with white chocolate chips for my niece who can’t have chocolate! Cool!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  43. YUM! Looks pretty easy too. This recipe may get me in trouble;)

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  44. one thing I read somewhere else, and 1/2 experimented with myself (ha) is that if you aren’t using all natural peanut butter (just peanuts!) then you won’t get the dry-ish, crunchy texture that you get with real Reese’s… so if you’re using sweetened peanut butter you can add crushed graham crackers to get that unique Reese’s texture!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  45. These do look yummy and I usually don’t eat candies with PB unless there is nothing else available! And take Kim’s suggestion about using a paint brush, especially to get the chocolate up the sides of the cup, that’s the easiest way to do it! Thanks for the recipe!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  46. These look so yummy and easy. How many does one batch make?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  47. Looks fun and yummy. I am going to try a low carb version using almond butter, Splenda and sugar free chocolate chips. Thanks for sharing!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  48. Been making these for years. But I’m a little lazy. I don’t use the little cupcake papers. I just use a pastry brush (1 inch paint brush I use for pastry) and paint the melted chocolate on to the muffin pan (big reeses pieces) or the mini muffin pans. Paint the chocolate on the tops. Pop them in the freezer and pop them out of the pan. Fast and easy “fix”.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  49. I’d love to have some ideas on how to make these with a mint filling. Wal-mart used to sell these and I’d pop them in the freezer and eat them cold. They don’t make them anymore :(

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • @Allison: Mix mint extract with powdered sugar and enough water to make a thick paste, fill like you would with peanut butter.

      @ I’d like to try and make homemade chocolate and use the peanut free butter to make these with different fillings.

      Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  50. These look like an awesome project for this weekend! My hubby and I are low carb so will be using sugarfree chocolate chips and Stevia (cup for cup powdered) inplace of the powdered sugar. Will review this low carb version on my blog :D

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  51. Reeses peanut butter cups are my weakness! I can’t wait to try this out especially with the freshly ground almond butter I just discovered at Whole Foods, Thank you! I just love all your blog posts, keep em coming Jillee!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  52. I’m SO going to do this for Mothers Day! I’m not a Reese’s gal, but my mom is so this would be PERFECT! Thank you so much for posting this!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  53. Fernanda: Have you tried almond butter? I’ve seen recipes that used natural almond butter instead of peanut butter.
    I’m actually not a fan of Reese’s Pb cups since the filling seems “grainy” to me, but these look great & very easy. We are having a family dinner this weekend and I might try these. How many candies does this recipe make?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • The recipe states that it makes 55 mini cups.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Almond bitter would make them more grainy. I make these every Christmas. Only Iakenround balls of the PB mixture and 3/4 dip in melted chocolate (veg shortening added) we call them Buckeyes.

      Anyways. Back to my point of replying. If you use creamy butter at room temp and whip the heck out of it with electric beaters, add the PB and powdered sugar in alternating 1/3’s I guarantee you that they will not be grainy at all.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
      • Oh ya. We freeze our PB balls before chocolate dipping them.

  54. If only I liked peanut butter ! :(
    Will try to make this for my husband – he will love them!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Put a rolo candy in the middle–chocolate and caramel–that can’t be wrong!

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  55. I am soooo making these! I have seen recipes for them lately and all of them call for coconut oil, which I do not have in my pantry and really don’t want to go out and hunt for. I have all of these ingredients already….. yay! I have a nephew who is a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup freak, so I will make them the next time he visits and see if I can get his seal of approval! Thanks so much for sharing this.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  56. Oh. My. Word! These look and sound so yummy! I think I’d eat the whole batch if I made them. I’m pinning this though. I think I’ll make them for Christmas. I’ll be dreaming of them all year!

    Have a great week!
    Deborah

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  57. Believe it or not, my 6 yr old grandson does NOT eat sweets of any kind (no cookies, cake, pie or candy!) EXCEPT for Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. I love cooking and baking with him, but get a little frustrated when he won’t eat what we bake. So this is the perfect recipe for us! I know we’ll have a wonderful afternoon making these together. Thanks for the recipe!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  58. I swear you must have been in my head. I <3 anything with chocolate and peanut butter. The mini-cups are my favorite of the Reese's PB, because of the perfect ratio. Although my all time favorite chocolate/PB candy actually is Gertrudes smidgens. If they enter my house I hide them and eat them all by myself. I will def be tring these. Thanks for sharing.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
4.21 from 79 votes (77 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment