Easy DIY Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (Recipe)

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are a favorite candy at our house. Last weekend, my kids begged me to go to the store and buy some, but I thought – I bet we can make peanut butter cups at home. Sure enough, I found a great copycat Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups recipe. It is easy to follow and the finished product lasted about 5 minutes, so I deem this recipe an official success.

Warning: These taste really good!

(Please pardon my cell phone quality photo.)

Easy DIY Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Recipe

(Makes 12 servings)
INGREDIENTS:

1 package (12 ounce size) milk chocolate chips
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut the top half off of muffin papers liners so that they are shallower.  Note: I used a silicone mini-muffin pan and these popped out perfectly and I didn’t need muffin paper liners, etc.  When it comes to cooking, I am all about simplification.
2. Pour the chocolate chips into a glass bowl and melt them in the microwave: Microwave at 50% power for 2 minutes. Stir the chips gently, and let them sit for a minute or so. If the chocolate needs more melting, microwave again at half power for 30 seconds. Stir gently. Continue the process, stirring gently as you go. Be very careful not to overcook the chocolate.
3. Spoon about a teaspoon sized portion of the chocolate into the middle of a muffin cup. Coat the chocolate up the edges of the muffin cup with the back of the spoon so that the entire inside is covered in chocolate. Repeat with the remaining muffin cups and then put the whole muffin tin in the refrigerator so that the chocolate hardens. (This takes about an hour.)
4. Combine the peanut butter, powdered sugar and salt in a medium bowl and mix well.
5. When the chocolate in the muffin cups has hardened, microwave the peanut butter mixture on full power for 1 minute. This will soften up the peanut butter so that it easily flows into the cups.
6. Spoon a small portion of peanut butter into each of the chocolate-coated cups. Leave room at the top for an additional layer of chocolate, which we’ll add later. Pop the candy back in the refrigerator to harden the peanut butter. (Takes about an hour.)
7. When the peanut butter filling has hardened, re-melt the chocolate chips in the microwave on half power for 30 to 60 seconds. Use a teaspoon to spread a layer of chocolate over the top of each candy. And then, guess what comes next? Yes, put them in the refrigerator ONE MORE TIME for yet another hour so they can harden.

The good news is that after the last hour of chill time is completed, you will have your very own homemade Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

Enjoy!