Peanut Butter Cups
Prep Time
6 minsCook Time
1-2 minsFree Time
to start a crossword puzzle
Whip up these delicious homemade peanut butter cups in under 5 minutes using Anytime Freezer Trays. Choose any type of chocolate that you prefer—dark, milk, or white— and stuff them with your favorite nut butter (or a nut-free alternative )for a nostalgic treat that’s even better than the store-bought ones.. Keep these peanut butter cups frozen until you're ready to enjoy them, and you’ll have an easy sweet treat to satisfy your cravings whenever they strike. These treats are quick to make and even quicker to disappear!
All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwaves and home kitchens to make sure they work — and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.
What You’ll Need
What You’ll Need
The Medium Shallow Dish
The Medium Deep Dish
2-Tbsp Anytime Freezer Tray
The Anyhand Mitts
Ingredients
- 2 cups (11.5oz- 320g) dark chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
- peanut butter, (or any nut butter or nut-free alternative)
Preparation
- Place the chocolate chips and coconut oil in an Anyday dish. Cover with the lid (knob lifted).
- Microwave the chocolate for 1-2 minutes until the chips become slightly shiny. Stir until fully melted. If needed, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring each time to prevent burning.
- Spoon a small amount of melted chocolate into each cup of a 2-Tablespoon Anytime Freezer Tray, coating the sides with a small spoon. Freeze for about 1 minute to harden.
- Once the chocolate is hard, add your choice of nut butter (or nut-free alternative), filling each portion 3/4 of the way. Gently tap the tray on the counter to even out the filling and remove air bubbles.
- If needed, re-melt the chocolate until it's liquid again, then cover with more melted chocolate. Freeze for about 1-2 minutes until firm.
Serving suggestions & tips
- Choose your favorite type of chocolate —dark, milk, or white— all work well.
- Use any nut butter such as peanut, hazelnut, almond, cashew, or walnut for great results.
- Mix the peanut butter with crumbled pretzels, cornflakes, or puffed rice for a tasty crunch.
- Consider adding frozen berries instead of the nut butter for a fruity twist.
Recipe notes
- Coconut oil helps make the chocolate runnier and easier to work with (and creates a hardened Magic Shell effect when refrigerated and frozen.). If unavailable, you can omit it.
- Feel free to use a nut-free alternative to peanut or almond butter, such as sunflower seed butter or tahini, if you prefer.
- Store the peanut butter cups in the freezer to keep them fresh and pop them out of the tray to enjoy whenever you like.
- Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed to ensure the chocolate melts perfectly without burning.
All You Need to Know About Making Peanut Butter Cups in the Microwave
What are peanut butter cups?
Peanut butter cups are a popular treat which consist of a creamy peanut butter filling encased in a chocolate shell. These treats are made by layering melted chocolate, adding peanut butter, and then covering it with more chocolate, and freezing. Once chilled, the chocolate shell hardens and they’re ready to enjoy. You can use different types of chocolate and nut butter depending on your dietary needs and preferences. We used the Anyday dishes to melt the chocolate and the Anytime Freezer Trays to create perfect portions.
What type of chocolate works best for homemade peanut butter cups?
Any chocolate works well—dark, milk, or white. Melt it in an Anyday dish in the microwave and pour it into the Anytime Freezer Trays. Dark chocolate is less sweet, while milk and white chocolate add more sweetness, allowing you to customize your peanut butter cups to your taste.
Can I use a different type of nut butter for these peanut butter cups?
Yes, you can use any nut butter such as almond, cashew, hazelnut, or even a nut-free alternative in the Anytime Freezer Trays. Mix and match to create a variety tray or add some crunchy extras like pretzels, puffed cereal, chopped cookies, or coated chocolate candy for additional texture and flavor.
How can I prevent the chocolate from burning in the microwave?
To prevent the chocolate from burning, melt it in short intervals in an Anyday dish with the lid on. Stir between intervals to ensure even melting and a smooth texture.
How should I store homemade peanut butter cups?
Store the peanut butter cups in the Anytime Freezer Trays with the lid on until you're ready to enjoy them. They last up to 4 months in the freezer or 1-2 months in the fridge for a softer texture. This storage method ensures they stay fresh and delicious.
Do I need to thaw the peanut butter cups before eating?
No, you can enjoy them straight from the freezer for a refreshing treat. If you prefer them softer, remove them from the Anytime Freezer Trays while frozen and let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes.
Can I add other ingredients to the peanut butter filling?
Absolutely! Feel free to mix in crumbled pretzels, cornflakes, puffed rice, or even dried fruit into the peanut butter for added texture and flavor.
What can I do if I don't have coconut oil?
Coconut oil helps keep the chocolate runnier and easier to work with, but if you don't have it, you can omit it. The chocolate may be slightly thicker, but it will still work well for making peanut butter cups.
