Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Cups Recipe

This snappy creamy Trader Joes Peanut Butter Cups Recipe is made with dark chocolate and natural peanut butter and ready in 45 minutes. The firm chocolate shell gives way to a smooth, sweet, and slightly salty center when you take a bite. I keep a stash of these in my freezer for late-night cravings.

What I Learned Making This

I tried making these just by melting chocolate and peanut butter together, but the texture was completely wrong. The filling was too runny and leaked out the sides when I took a bite.

I realized that mixing a little powdered sugar into the peanut butter gives it that authentic, firm center. Adding a tiny bit of coconut oil to the chocolate also ensures a smooth, glossy shell that sets perfectly.

Trader Joes Peanut Butter Cups Recipe Ingredients

• 12 oz dark chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1/2 cup natural creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt

How To Make Trader Joes Peanut Butter Cups Recipe

1. 1. Prep the liners: Line a mini muffin tin with 12 paper liners.
2. 2. Melt the chocolate: Melt the dark chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave in 30-second bursts until smooth.
3. 3. Create the base: Spoon one teaspoon of melted chocolate into each liner, using the back of the spoon to push it slightly up the sides. Freeze for 10 minutes.
4. 4. Mix the filling: Stir the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together in a small bowl until it forms a thick paste.
5. 5. Add the peanut butter: Roll the filling into small balls, flatten slightly, and place one in the center of each chocolate cup.
6. 6. Seal the cups: Cover each cup with the remaining melted chocolate, smoothing the tops. Sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt and freeze for 20 minutes until solid.

Recipe Tips

• Use natural peanut butter: A peanut butter made with just peanuts and salt provides the most authentic flavor.
• Sift the powdered sugar: This prevents any hard lumps from ruining the creamy texture of your filling.
• Tap the pan: After adding the top layer of chocolate, lightly drop the muffin tin on your counter to release air bubbles.

What To Serve With Peanut Butter Cups

Serve these homemade peanut butter cups with a cold glass of milk or a hot cup of black coffee. They also make a fantastic topping when chopped and sprinkled over vanilla bean ice cream.

How To Store

Store these peanut butter cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. You can also freeze them for up to three months, making them perfect for an emergency sweet treat.

FAQs

• Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark? Yes, the store brand sells both varieties, so use whichever chocolate you prefer. Milk chocolate will make the cups noticeably sweeter.
• Why is my chocolate turning white? This happens when chocolate gets too warm or experiences quick temperature changes. Storing them consistently in the fridge prevents this.
• Do I have to use coconut oil? The coconut oil helps thin the chocolate for easier coating, but you can omit it if needed. The shell will just be slightly thicker.
• Can I use almond butter? Absolutely, almond butter works exactly the same way in this recipe. Just make sure to stir it well before mixing.

Nutrition

• Calories: 210
• Total Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 65mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 18g
• Protein: 4g

Try More Recipes:

• Trader Joes Sheet Cake Hack Recipe
• Trader Joes Mochi Cake Recipe
• Trader Joes Cake Hack Recipe

Trader Joes Peanut Butter Cups Recipe

Recipe by Nate Collins

Servings

12

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Total time

45

minutes

Snappy creamy Trader Joes Peanut Butter Cups Recipe made with rich dark chocolate, natural peanut butter, and flaky sea salt in 45 minutes for a quick treat. The crisp chocolate shell and sweet center make these bite-sized candies incredibly hard to resist.

Ingredients

• 12 oz dark chocolate chips

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

• 1/2 cup natural creamy peanut butter

• 1/4 cup powdered sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt

Directions

• 1. Prep the liners: Line a mini muffin tin with 12 paper liners.
• 2. Melt the chocolate: Melt the dark chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave in 30-second bursts until smooth.
• 3. Create the base: Spoon one teaspoon of melted chocolate into each liner, using the back of the spoon to push it slightly up the sides. Freeze for 10 minutes.
• 4. Mix the filling: Stir the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together in a small bowl until it forms a thick paste.
• 5. Add the peanut butter: Roll the filling into small balls, flatten slightly, and place one in the center of each chocolate cup.
• 6. Seal the cups: Cover each cup with the remaining melted chocolate, smoothing the tops. Sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt and freeze for 20 minutes until solid.