These Homemade Peanut Butter Cups Will Rock Your World

When it comes to sweet treats, one thing that many of us have come to appreciate is the fact that it is a mixture of foods that really makes something delicious. That can clearly be seen with peanut butter cups, and most of us consider them to be the ultimate dessert or snack during any time of the day.

For years, many of us may have been eating peanut butter cups that were purchased at the store and come wrapped in an orange package. Now it is possible to make these delicious candies at home and you are not going to believe how fantastic they are. The creamy peanut butter filling along with the smooth chocolate on the outside is so satisfying, you are going to be in danger of eating the entire batch.

The beauty of this particular recipe is the fact that it is so simple to make. You don’t need to worry about having a lot of fancy equipment and the technique is quite easy. Just put them together and then watch them disappear as your family descends on the dessert table.

Ingredients:

1 cups creamy peanut butter
¼ cup unsalted butter
¼ cup light brown sugar
1¼ cups powdered sugar
4 cups milk chocolate chips (two 11.5-oz bags)
¼ cup vegetable shortening

Directions:

Line a mini-muffin tin with paper liners; set aside. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

In a medium saucepan, combine the peanut butter, butter and brown sugar over medium heat. Heat until completely melted and starting to bubble a little, stirring constantly.

Remove from the heat. Add the powdered sugar a ¼ cup at a time, stirring until completely combined with the peanut butter mixture after each addition. Set aside and let cool.

Meanwhile, melt the chocolate chips and shortening together in the microwave on 50% power in 30-second increments, until completely melted, stirring after each burst.

Using a small cookie scoop or a couple of teaspoons, spoon melted chocolate into the bottom of each lined muffin cup.

Use a heaping teaspoon to scoop out the peanut butter mixture. Roll it into a ball, and then flatten it slightly into a disk. Place on the prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Once finished with all of the peanut butter mixture, refrigerate both the muffin tins and the peanut butter patties for about 30 minutes.

Place a peanut butter patty on top of each chocolate-lined muffin tin.

Then use a scoop or spoon to add more melted chocolate on top and around each peanut butter patty. (If the melted chocolate firmed up, just pop it back into the microwave at 50% power for 30 seconds or so to re-melt.)

Refrigerate again for 30 minutes, then they’re ready to serve! Store in the refrigerator or freezer.