Homemade Reese’s Hearts Recipe

Introduction

These homemade Reese’s Hearts are a delightful twist on the classic peanut butter and chocolate treat. Perfect for gifting or sharing, they combine creamy peanut butter filling with a smooth chocolate coating and fun toppings.

Ingredients

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural-style)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 2 cups chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or dark)
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil or shortening
• Sprinkles
• Sea salt flakes
• Crushed nuts
• Colored chocolate drizzle

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, mix peanut butter, melted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is thick and smooth.
2. Step 2: Press the peanut butter mixture into silicone heart molds, or roll it out and cut shapes using heart-shaped cookie cutters. Place the shaped mixture in the freezer for 20 minutes to firm up.
3. Step 3: Melt the chocolate chips with coconut oil in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until fully smooth.
4. Step 4: Dip the frozen peanut butter hearts into the melted chocolate, coating them completely. Lay them out on a parchment-lined tray.
5. Step 5: While the chocolate is still wet, decorate with sprinkles, sea salt flakes, crushed nuts, or drizzle with colored chocolate as desired.
6. Step 6: Refrigerate or freeze the coated hearts until the chocolate is fully set before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use natural peanut butter for a slightly different flavor, but reduce added salt as natural peanut butter can be saltier.
• Try dark chocolate for a richer taste or white chocolate for a sweeter option.
• Substitute coconut oil with vegetable shortening if preferred to help the chocolate set smoothly.
• For a fun twist, sprinkle crushed pretzels or mini candies on top instead of nuts or salt.

Storage

Store the peanut butter hearts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for longer storage. Bring them to room temperature briefly before serving for the best texture. Reheat chocolate-coated treats in short bursts if necessary, but avoid overheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use natural peanut butter instead of creamy?

Yes, but natural peanut butter contains more oil and can affect the texture of the filling. You might need to adjust the amount of powdered sugar or refrigerate the mixture longer to firm it up.

What if I don’t have silicone heart molds?

No worries! You can roll the peanut butter mixture into a slab and use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the shapes before freezing and dipping in chocolate.

Homemade Reese’s Hearts Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.9 from 147 reviews

Delight in these Homemade Reese’s Hearts, creamy peanut butter and buttery sweet centers coated in smooth melted chocolate, perfect for a festive treat or gift. These heart-shaped chocolates combine the classic Reese’s flavor with customizable toppings like sprinkles, sea salt, and chocolate drizzle for a fun and delicious homemade candy experience.

• Author: Luna
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 20–24 hearts depending on mold size 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Peanut Butter Filling

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural-style)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Chocolate Coating and Decorations

• 2 cups chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or dark)
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil or shortening
• Sprinkles (optional)
• Sea salt flakes (optional)
• Crushed nuts (optional)
• Colored chocolate drizzle (optional)

Instructions

1. Make Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, melted unsalted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir until the mixture is thick, smooth, and well blended, forming the base peanut butter filling.
2. Shape Hearts: Press the peanut butter mixture firmly into silicone heart molds for easy shaping, or roll the mixture out and cut with heart-shaped cookie cutters. Place the shaped hearts in the freezer to chill and firm up for about 20 minutes.
3. Melt Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and coconut oil or shortening. Heat the mixture in 30-second increments, stirring thoroughly after each interval until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
4. Coat Hearts: Remove the peanut butter hearts from the freezer. Using a fork or dipping tool, dip each heart completely into the melted chocolate, ensuring full coverage. Place the coated hearts on a parchment-lined baking tray to set.
5. Decorate: While the chocolate coating is still wet, decorate the hearts by sprinkling with sprinkles, sea salt flakes, crushed nuts, or drizzling with colored chocolate as desired for a personalized look and flavor boost.
6. Chill: Transfer the decorated hearts to the refrigerator or freezer and chill until the chocolate shell is fully set and firm, approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour, before serving or packaging.

Notes

• Use smooth creamy peanut butter rather than natural-style for the best texture and flavor.
• Ensure the peanut butter mixture is well chilled before dipping to prevent melting when coated with chocolate.
• Freezing the hearts before dipping helps maintain their shape and makes coating easier.
• Customize toppings to your taste with different sprinkles, nuts, or sea salt for a sweet-salty twist.
• Store finished Reese’s Hearts in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep chocolate firm and fresh.

Keywords: Homemade Reese’s, peanut butter hearts, chocolate candy, no-bake candy, Valentine’s Day treats, chocolate dipped peanut butter