Quick and Easy Treats for Every Occasion

When love is in the air—or you just need a chocolate fix—Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups are the answer.

I was originally inspired to create this recipe by Valentine’s Day, but these sweet treats are perfect for any special occasion, whether it’s Christmas, Mother’s Day, a birthday, or even a random Tuesday. (Because, let’s face it, chocolate makes every day better.)

These gourmet chocolate candies are dangerously easy to make and customizable for any flavor craving. So yes, I apologize to your Spanx in advance.

We’ve all swooned over store-bought peanut butter cups, but when you make your own, the possibilities are endless.

You can fill chocolate cups with anything your heart desires—fruity, nutty, creamy, or even salty-sweet fillings. Plus, with a few basic tools like muffin tins or silicone molds, you can vary the size and shape to suit the occasion.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Yield: 24 mini cupcake-sized candies | Time: 10 minutes (plus chilling)

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon coconut or vegetable oil (optional)
• ½ cup peanut butter (freshly ground, if possible)

Here’s How:

1. Prepare the molds. Use mini muffin tins lined with paper liners or silicone molds.
2. Melt the chocolate. Microwave chocolate chips in 20-second increments, stirring between each, until smooth. Alternatively, use a double boiler. Stir in oil for smoother chocolate, if desired.
3. Create the chocolate shell. Spread 1 teaspoon of melted chocolate into the bottom and up the sides of each liner. Place in the freezer for a couple of minutes to set.
4. Add the filling. Stir peanut butter to soften, then spoon 1 teaspoon into each chocolate shell.
5. Seal the cups. Cover the filling with another teaspoon of chocolate. Freeze again to set.
6. Serve or store. Remove from molds and serve with love—or stash them away for yourself.

Get Creative with Flavor Variations for Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

These cups are a blank canvas for your culinary imagination. Here are some irresistible ideas to try:

• All the Chocolates: Use white, dark, or milk chocolate—or mix and match for layered cups.
• Peanut Butter & Jelly: Add a dollop of jam or jelly on top of the peanut butter.
• Fluffernutter: Top peanut butter with a touch of marshmallow fluff.
• Almond Butter Cups: Replace peanut butter with almond butter, cashew butter, macadamia butter, or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.
• Chocolate Truffle Filling: Make ganache by heating 2 tablespoons of heavy cream until nearly boiling, then pour over 6 tablespoons of chocolate chips. Let sit for 4 minutes, then stir until glossy. Use as a filling.
• Raspberry Truffle: Layer raspberry jam with ganache for a decadent twist.
• Inside Out: Use peanut butter chips instead of chocolate chips and fill with ganache.
• Salted Caramel: Melt 12 caramels with 1 tablespoon milk or cream and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt. Use this luscious caramel in place of peanut butter, and sprinkle with a pinch of flaky salt.

Pro Tip: Keep Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups in Your Back Pocket (not literally!)

Once you master the art of making chocolate cups, the sky’s the limit. Make a batch of empty chocolate shells and fill them with whatever suits the moment:

• Fresh fruit and whipped cream
• Cheesecake filling
• Ice cream or sorbet
• Mousse or pudding

These are a fabulous way to turn simple ingredients into show-stopping desserts. They’re perfect for dinner parties, gift-giving, or even as a luxurious treat for yourself.

Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas, or just indulging your sweet tooth on an ordinary evening, these chocolate cups are sure to impress. So go ahead—treat yourself, your loved ones, or your random Tuesday to something truly special.

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