There’s something magical about homemade treats, especially when they combine chocolate and peanut butter. These mini chocolate peanut butter cups are my go-to when I need a quick, no-fuss dessert that always impresses. I remember the first time I made them, my niece’s eyes lit up when she bit into one, declaring them “even better than store-bought!” And the best part? They come together in minutes with just a handful of ingredients. No fancy equipment, no baking, just pure deliciousness in every bite-sized cup. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll never go back to the packaged version!
Irresistible Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups in 15 Minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 24 mini cups 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Mini chocolate peanut butter cups are a delicious and easy-to-make treat. They combine rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter in bite-sized portions.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Line a mini muffin tin with paper liners.
- Spoon a small amount of melted chocolate into each liner.
- Mix peanut butter, honey, vanilla extract, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Add a small spoonful of the peanut butter mixture on top of the chocolate in each liner.
- Cover the peanut butter layer with more melted chocolate.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes until set.
Notes
- Use high-quality chocolate for the best taste.
- Adjust honey to taste if you prefer sweeter cups.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini cup
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Why You’ll Love These Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Let me tell you why these little cups of joy are about to become your new obsession:
- Effortless magic: No oven, no fuss, just melt, layer, and chill. Perfect for when that sweet tooth hits hard.
- Customizable bliss: Swap dark for milk chocolate, add a sprinkle of sea salt, or go crunchy with chopped peanuts. Your kitchen, your rules.
- Instant crowd-pleaser: Kids? Friends? Party guests? Watch them disappear faster than you can say “peanut butter.”
- Bite-sized happiness: Portion control? Yeah right. But at least you can pretend while popping your third one.
Seriously, these mini chocolate peanut butter cups are the edible equivalent of a warm hug, simple, comforting, and impossible to resist. For more bite-sized desserts, check out these other fun ideas!
Ingredients for Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Gather these simple ingredients, you probably have most in your pantry already:
- 1 cup chocolate chips: semi-sweet or dark work best, but milk chocolate makes them extra sweet
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter: natural or regular, just make sure it’s well-stirred
- 1 tbsp honey: the glue that holds our peanut butter layer together
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract: that little flavor booster
- 1 pinch salt: trust me, it makes all the difference
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
No peanut butter? Almond butter works beautifully here, just expect a slightly different flavor. Out of honey? Maple syrup does the trick. For chocolate, chips melt easiest, but chopped chocolate bars work too (just stir more). And if you’re feeling fancy, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top before chilling takes these to another level! If you are looking for more inspiration on simple recipes, check out Family Tastes.
Equipment You’ll Need
Here’s all you’ll need to whip up these little delights:
- Mini muffin tin: the perfect size for bite-sized treats
- Paper liners: keeps everything neat and makes removal a breeze
- Microwave-safe bowl: for that quick chocolate melt
- Small spoon or piping bag: for those pretty layers
That’s it, no fancy gadgets required!
How to Make Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Making these irresistible treats is easier than you think, just follow these simple steps and you’ll have perfect mini chocolate peanut butter cups in no time!
Step 1: Melt the Chocolate
First, grab your microwave-safe bowl and chocolate chips. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each one, this prevents scorching. Stop when just a few unmelted chips remain, then keep stirring until perfectly smooth. No microwave? A double boiler works great too, just don’t let the water boil too hard!
Step 2: Layer the Chocolate and Peanut Butter
Now the fun part! Spoon a teaspoon of melted chocolate into each liner, just enough to coat the bottom. Next, dollop about 1/2 teaspoon of your peanut butter mixture right in the center. Finally, cover it all with another teaspoon of chocolate. Pro tip: tap the tin gently on the counter to help everything settle evenly.
Step 3: Chill to Set
Pop your tray in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, I know it’s hard to wait! They’re ready when the chocolate feels firm to the touch. If you’re impatient like me, 15 minutes in the freezer works in a pinch. For other quick dessert ideas, consider these mini chia pudding cups.
Tips for Perfect Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Want your mini chocolate peanut butter cups to look as good as they taste? Here are my foolproof tricks:
Tap out the bubbles: After layering, give your muffin tin a gentle tap on the counter. Those tiny air pockets will rise right to the top, giving you smooth, professional-looking cups every time.
Piping bag magic: Hate messy spoon drips? I use a piping bag or even a ziplock with the corner snipped off for perfectly neat layers. Works like a charm!
Temperature matters: Let your melted chocolate cool slightly before layering, too hot and it’ll melt your peanut butter filling into a swirl (which actually isn’t bad if you like marbled cups!).
Quick chill: If you’re in a rush, 15 minutes in the freezer works wonders. Just don’t forget them, frozen cups lose that perfect creamy texture!
Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered the classic version, get creative with these fun twists on your mini chocolate peanut butter cups:
- Salty sweet: Top with flaky sea salt before chilling, that salty crunch takes them to another level!
- Crunch time: Mix crushed pretzels or graham crackers into your peanut butter layer for texture.
- Tropical twist: Stir shredded coconut into the peanut butter filling or sprinkle on top.
- Double chocolate: Add mini chocolate chips to the peanut butter center for extra chocolatey bites.
The possibilities are endless, have fun making these your own! If you enjoy these, you might also like mini fruit jelly cups.
Serving and Storing Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Let these little beauties sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving, that way the chocolate gets just slightly soft and the peanut butter filling becomes gloriously creamy. Store any leftovers (ha!) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, if they last that long! Pro tip: layer them between parchment paper so they don’t stick together.
Nutritional Information
Remember: Estimates vary based on ingredients used. Per mini chocolate peanut butter cup (makes 24): about 80 calories, 5g fat, 7g carbs, 6g sugar, 2g protein. Not too shabby for such delicious little treats!
FAQs About Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Can I use milk chocolate instead of semi-sweet?
Absolutely! Milk chocolate makes these cups extra sweet and kid-approved. Just be careful when melting, milk chocolate burns more easily than dark. Reduce microwave time to 20-second bursts.
How long do these peanut butter cups last?
Stored properly in the fridge, they’ll stay fresh for up to a week. But let’s be real, they rarely last more than two days in my house! The peanut butter filling stays creamy, and the chocolate keeps its perfect snap.
Can I make these dairy-free?
You bet! Use dairy-free chocolate chips and check your peanut butter label. The rest of the ingredients are naturally dairy-free, so you’ll have perfect vegan-friendly treats. For more vegan options, explore no-bake coconut dessert bites.
Why did my chocolate seize up?
Oh no! That usually means a tiny bit of water got into your melted chocolate. Always dry your bowls completely. If it happens, add a teaspoon of vegetable oil and stir gently, it might save the batch!
Rate This Recipe
Did you make these mini chocolate peanut butter cups? I’d love to hear how they turned out, leave a star rating or comment below!