Go Back
Stack of homemade Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cups with melty centers and chocolate chips on top, displayed on a white plate.
Daniel

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cups

Creamy peanut butter and mini chocolate chips tucked inside a crisp chocolate shell - better than store-bought and surprisingly simple.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 12 cups
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

For the Chocolate Shell
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips divided
  • 2 tsp coconut oil
For the Filling
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter not natural style
  • 0.5 cup powdered sugar sifted
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter softened
  • 0.25 tsp fine sea salt
  • 0.25 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
For Topping
  • 1 pinch flaky sea salt optional

Equipment

  • 12-cup muffin tin
  • Paper muffin liners
  • Small microwave-safe bowl
  • Rubber spatula

Method
 

Prep
  1. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. Set aside.
Make the filling
  1. In a medium bowl, beat together the peanut butter, powdered sugar, softened butter, and fine sea salt with a rubber spatula until completely smooth and thick, about 2 minutes. Fold in the mini chocolate chips. The mixture should hold its shape when pressed.
  2. Divide the peanut butter mixture into 12 equal portions (about 1.5 tablespoons each). Roll into balls, then flatten into disks slightly smaller than the muffin liners. Place on a plate and refrigerate while you prepare the chocolate.
Make the chocolate shells
  1. Place 1.5 cups of the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until completely melted and smooth, about 90 seconds total.
  2. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of melted chocolate into each prepared liner. Use the back of the spoon to spread the chocolate up the sides, creating a thin even shell that covers the bottom and about 0.5 inch up the sides. Freeze for 10 minutes until set.
Assemble the cups
  1. Place one peanut butter disk into each chocolate shell, pressing gently so it sits level without touching the sides.
  2. Melt the remaining 0.5 cup chocolate chips. Spoon about 1 tablespoon over each cup to cover the filling completely, spreading to the edges to seal. Tap the pan gently on the counter to smooth the tops. Sprinkle with flaky salt if desired.
  3. Refrigerate until completely firm, about 30 minutes. Peel off paper liners before serving. Store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

Use conventional peanut butter like Jif or Skippy - natural styles separate and make greasy cups. For a cleaner look, use a pastry brush to paint the chocolate up the liner sides instead of a spoon. These freeze beautifully for up to 3 months; just thaw in the fridge for 15 minutes before eating.