Description
These homemade peanut butter cups are a delightful treat combining creamy peanut butter filling with rich milk chocolate. Perfect for a sweet snack or gift, they are easy to make with simple ingredients and require no baking.
Ingredients
Filling
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 1 pinch kosher salt
Chocolate Coating
- 2 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips (plus more if needed)
Instructions
- Line tin: Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners to prepare for molding the peanut butter cups.
- Mix filling: In a bowl, combine the peanut butter, room temperature butter, powdered sugar, vanilla bean paste, and kosher salt. Mix thoroughly until the filling is smooth and well blended.
- Melt chocolate: Place the milk chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between each burst, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
- Layer: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of melted chocolate into the bottom of each paper liner. Then, add approximately 2 teaspoons of the peanut butter mixture on top of the chocolate layer.
- Finish: Cover the peanut butter filling with another tablespoon or so of the melted chocolate to enclose the filling. Gently tap the muffin tin to level the chocolate layers, then refrigerate for 1 hour or until the peanut butter cups are fully set.
Notes
- Use creamy peanut butter for a smooth texture, but crunchy peanut butter can be used if preferred.
- If the melted chocolate becomes too thick, add a teaspoon of vegetable oil to thin it out for easier layering.
- Store the peanut butter cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- For quicker setting, place the tray in the freezer for 20-30 minutes instead of the refrigerator.
- Vanilla bean paste provides a richer vanilla flavor, but standard vanilla extract can be substituted.
