Can I use natural peanut butter for this recipe?

Natural peanut butter tends to be more oily and less stable at room temperature. While you can use it, the filling may be softer and less consistent. If using natural peanut butter, you might need to add extra powdered sugar to achieve the right consistency, and keep the cups refrigerated until serving.

What if I don't have chocolate bars, can I just use all chocolate chips?

Absolutely! The recipe will still work perfectly with just chocolate chips. The candy bars add an extra creaminess to the chocolate coating, but using all chips will still give you delicious results. Consider adding a tablespoon of shortening or coconut oil to your chocolate to help it melt more smoothly.

My peanut butter filling is too sticky to work with. What should I do?

If your filling is too sticky, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes before handling. You can also add a bit more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a consistency that's easier to work with. Using lightly dampened fingers or a spoon coated with a thin layer of oil can also help prevent sticking.

How do I prevent the chocolate from blooming (getting that white discoloration)?

Chocolate bloom occurs when chocolate is exposed to temperature fluctuations. To prevent this, make sure your cups are completely set before removing them from the refrigerator, and store them at a consistent temperature. Also, avoid moving them directly from the refrigerator to a warm room—let them gradually come to room temperature.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups Recipe

Description

These Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups are a delectable blend of creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. Made with just a few simple ingredients, they’re easy to prepare and perfect for snacking, dessert, or gifting. Impress your friends and family with these homemade treats that rival any store-bought version.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Peanut Butter Mixture:

1 cup creamy peanut butter, divided
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Chocolate Base:

1 bag (11.5 oz) chocolate chips, semi-sweet or milk
4 (1.55 oz each) milk chocolate candy bars, coarsely chopped

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Instructions

Prepare the Liners
Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners and set it aside. This will ensure your peanut butter cups hold their shape while setting.
Make the Peanut Butter Mixture
In a medium-sized bowl, combine ½ cup of peanut butter, softened butter, powdered sugar, and salt. Mix until smooth and uniformly blended. Set this mixture aside for later use.
Melt the Chocolate
In a microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips, chopped chocolate bars, and the remaining ½ cup of peanut butter.
Heat the mixture in the microwave for 1 minute, then stir well. Continue heating in 10-20 second increments, stirring in between, until the chocolate is almost completely melted. Stir until the residual heat melts the remaining chocolate and the mixture is fully smooth.
Layer the Chocolate and Peanut Butter
Using a cookie dough scoop, add a layer of melted chocolate to the base of each paper liner in the muffin tin. Tap the tin gently to smooth it out.
Add the Peanut Butter Mixture
Take about 1 teaspoon of the prepared peanut butter mixture and place it on top of the chocolate in each liner. (See notes below for an optional tip on how to shape the peanut butter mixture.)
Finish with Chocolate
Spoon another layer of the melted chocolate over the peanut butter mixture, ensuring it is fully covered.
Set and Store
Place the muffin tin in the refrigerator to chill until the chocolate is fully set. Once hardened, transfer the cups to an airtight container and keep them refrigerated until ready to serve.

Notes

To make the peanut butter layer neater, you can shape the peanut butter mixture into small balls and flatten them slightly before placing them on top of the chocolate. Alternatively, you can just drop it in with a spoon.
These cups can also be frozen for up to a month. Just thaw in the refrigerator before serving!

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 210
Sugar: 15
Sodium: 80mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 5mg