ANNONCE
Chocolate peanut butter anything just hits different, right? Sometimes all you want is a super easy treat, like those dreamy desserts you see at your grandma’s place (or maybe on a killer bake sale table at school). Maybe time’s short or hey, you’re like me—impatient for the sweet stuff. If you’re feeling that itch for something cozy, fast, and totally old-school, you gotta try these peanut butter cups. I promise, you won’t need magic skills. Plus, if you’re into more simple crowd-pleasers, check out these butterfinger balls or you’ve gotta see the chocolate chip cookie cups recipe for your next snack attack.
ANNONCE
ANNONCE
The Key Ingredients
First things first. There’s only three ingredients. Yeah, three. No, I’m not joking. That’s the whole schtick here.
Grab a good chocolate. I mean, don’t grab the bargain-bin stuff unless you’re desperate—go for a decent semi-sweet or even milk chocolate if that’s your jam. Next up, the peanut butter. I’m partial to the creamy, classic, spread-easy kind. If you use natural style, expect a little more mess but hey, maybe you like a wilder cup? Lastly, powdered sugar. Trust me, it’ll thicken things up and keep everything from dripping all over your shirt (been there).
ANNONCE
You need only:
- Chocolate chips or broken chocolate bars
- Creamy peanut butter
- Powdered sugar
Yep, that’s it. No weird oils. No secret fancy powders. You can jazz it up, sure, but three is honestly all you need.
ANNONCE
How To Make The 3-Ingredient chocolate peanut butter Dessert
Ready for this? Seriously, blink and it’s done. Melt the chocolate first—microwave works fine. Just zap in 20-second bursts and stir so you don’t nuke it into lava. Next, line a muffin tin with some paper liners (or, let’s be real, tear up parchment paper like I do if you’ve run out).
Scoop a bit of melted chocolate in the bottom for a base. Now mix peanut butter and powdered sugar in a bowl until it gets thick—think “I could roll this into a ball if I wanted to” level. Plop a small spoonful of that peanut butter mix right in the center of each cup.
Cover with more melted chocolate. Jiggle the tray a bit to flatten ’em out. Throw the whole thing in the freezer for about ten minutes, or until they’re set enough not to ooze everywhere. You can technically eat them sooner. But, uh, brace yourself for sticky hands.
ANNONCE
Let them sit just a minute or two at room temp before eating. I never wait and pay the price in chocolate fingerprints, but, you know, you do you.
“I made these peanut butter chocolate cups on a whim for a family get-together and everyone freaked out. No one believed it took 15 minutes. Hands down, my new go-to potluck treat!” — Lindsay R.
Tips for Perfecting Your Dessert
Alright, listen for a second. There’s a couple of tiny pointers if you want these cups five-star restaurant good. Use a mini muffin pan if you like them bite-sized (they’re dangerous—bet you can’t eat just one). If you want to be that person, add a sprinkle of flaky salt on top before you freeze them. Suddenly, you’re a fancy pastry chef.
ANNONCE
Let your chocolate layer cool for a few minutes before adding the peanut butter mix. Trust me, impatient pouring leads to weird swirls and sunken centers. Also, don’t skimp on the powdered sugar, or your center will be more runny than gooey.
If you’re all about textures, try a crunchy peanut butter. It sometimes crumbles—but no one ever seems to mind.
Variations of the 3-Ingredient Recipe
Everybody has their own spin. That’s half the fun, right? Sometimes I go wild and use dark chocolate instead of milk. Totally changes the mood, makes things a bit more grownup (or so I tell myself). Dab a dab of jam inside for a peanut butter & jelly vibe—kids go absolutely bananas for that.
ANNONCE
Wanna get weird? Stir some mini pretzels or even Rice Krispies in the peanut butter mix. Adds a wicked crunch. Or if you need it vegan or dairy free, just grab the right chocolate and peanut butter and you’re all set.
Honestly, it’s hard to mess up here. Change it up, make it yours. You know what you like.
Serving Suggestions
When I’m serving these, a few little tricks make them even better:
ANNONCE
- Always chill beforehand—warmer cups get sticky fast.
- Try pairing them with fresh strawberries or, okay, more chocolate snacks like these chocolate-covered pretzels for a snack board win.
- Pack ‘em in a box with a ribbon for a legit easy homemade gift.
- Hey, hide a few in the freezer for your midnight munchies—no judgment, friends.
Common Questions
How long do these peanut butter cups keep in the fridge?
About a week, if you can resist that long. I wrap mine in foil, but honestly, they’re gone in two days flat.
Can I use chunky peanut butter?
Absolutely. You’ll get more crunch. Maybe a little more mess, but totally worth it in my opinion.
Is there a quick way to melt chocolate if I don’t have a microwave?
Stick it in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water (don’t let the water touch the bowl, please). Stir ‘til melted. Or, cheat with ready-made magic shell if you must.
ANNONCE
Why is my peanut butter layer so soft and sticky?
Probably too little powdered sugar, or just too warm inside. Stir in more sugar and cool your kitchen.
Can I make a big batch and freeze them?
Yes! They freeze perfectly. Just pop them in a bag and thaw for a couple minutes before eating.
Decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Equipment
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Muffin tin
- Paper liners
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon
Ingredients
Base
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips semi-sweet or milk chocolate
Filling
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Line a muffin tin with paper liners.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips in 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth.
- Spoon a small amount of melted chocolate into the bottom of each liner to create the base layer.
- In a separate bowl, mix the peanut butter and powdered sugar until well combined and thick.
- Place a small spoonful of the peanut butter mixture on top of the chocolate base in each liner.
- Cover the peanut butter layer with more melted chocolate, smoothing the tops.
- Refrigerate the cups for about 10 minutes, or until set.
- Once set, remove from the refrigerator and enjoy. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
Notes
This Is Basically Happiness in a Cup
If you ask me, nothing beats whipping up nostalgic treats like these. My kitchen’s seen plenty of desserts, but these peanut butter chocolate cups? Always the first to disappear—like magic. For more quick ideas, peek at this killer Chocolate-Peanut Butter Spoons Recipe (3 Ingredients, 15 Minutes) or, if you want to level up, check out this fun chocolate peanut butter sprinkle cake. Need something soft and pillowy? These Peanut Butter Chocolate Pillows are dangerously easy, too. So, don’t just sit there—grab the three ingredients and make a batch. Your inner kid (and all your friends) will thank you.
ANNONCE