Homemade Peanut Butter Cups (Dairy Free)

Apr 3, 2021

These homemade peanut butter cups are easy to make, dairy-free, and as good, if not better, than Reese’s peanut butter cups. They are made with dairy free chocolate, peanut butter, and more. You can also add jelly to them to make them the most delicious peanut butter and jelly dessert!

When my husband requests a dessert you can bet chances are good he will request these. I never mind making them because they are the perfect easy treat for kids to help make and my toddler and I love to make them together. She stays busy licking every container and spoon clean while I’m busy throwing them together. It is a win for everyone!

They are a great treat that can be kept in the freezer and pulled out one at a time when you need a sweet treat (how we always like them) or gobbled up quickly if you can handle the sweetness.

I’ve posted many times over peanut butter and chocolate sweets and this one is just as amazing as all the others. Be sure to check out some of my other peanut butter and chocolate sweet treats like these homemade granola bars.

Dairy Free homemade peanut butter cups pin

How to Make Homemade Dairy Free Peanut Butter Cups

To make these delicious homemade peanut butter butter cups you will need to prepare a muffin pan with cupcake liners ahead of time.

You will begin by melting half of the chocolate in the microwave in 30 second increments in a glass bowl or measuring cup. I like to add 1 tbsp of peanut butter when I melt it to ensure it comes out smooth and a bit softer when eating the cups.

Scoop melted chocolate into each prepared cupcake liner until the chocolate is gone and all 12 muffin liners are filled up. You will need 1-2 tsp full of melted chocolate in each one. Bang the muffin pan on the counter once or twice to help the chocolate spread out and cover each cupcake liner completely. Then put the whole pan into the freezer while you prepare the next step.

Add the softened vegan butter (our favorite kind is Country Crock Plant Butter), powdered sugar, and peanut butter to a glass bowl and stir together until smooth. Remove the muffin pan from the freezer and spoon and divide the peanut butter mixture evenly into each cupcake line. You will need to use a spoon to push the mixture down and spread it to cover the chocolate and cupcake liner completely. Put the muffin pan back into the freezer.

*If you decide to make the peanut butter cups into a peanut butter and jelly dessert this is where you would add a layer of jelly on top. Simply spoon 1/2 tsp of jelly on top of the peanut butter mixture and spread it all around. Then stick it in the freezer while you prepare the chocolate for on top.

Repeat the melting chocolate process with the remaining chocolate and tbsp peanut butter. Remove the muffin pan from the freezer and pour the chocolate over the top of each muffin cup. You will need to spread the chocolate out with a spoon immediately after adding it to each cup to ensure that it doesn’t harden too quickly. Once all 12 cups have the chocolate filling on top put the muffin pan back in the freezer.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups Muffin Tin

How to Store Dairy Free Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

These dairy-free peanut butter cups should be kept in an air-tight container in the freezer. They are the perfect treat to make a batch and just pull one out when you have a craving for something sweet. They will begin to melt and really become a soft mess if left out too long or not kept in the freezer.

When you are ready to eat one simply pull it out and let it sit for about five minutes. This will ensure that the chocolate isn’t too hard that you can’t bite into it but also isn’t too soft and messy.

Peanut Butter Cup Variations

These peanut butter cups are delicious on their own. However, you can add different items to create all-new flavors or looks. Here are some suggestions on things to add-in:

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cups – Add a layer of jelly in between the peanut butter and the top chocolate layer. Tastes just like peanut butter and jelly.

Sea Salt Peanut Butter Cups – After adding the last chocolate layer, sprinkle sea salt on top before the chocolate hardens.

Holiday Peanut Butter Cups – After adding the last layer of chocolate, sprinkle holiday sprinkles of choice on top of the peanut butter cups before the chocolate hardens.

Peanut Butter Pretzel Cups – Sprinkle a handful of crushed pretzels on the top layer of chocolate before it hardens.

Peanut Butter Oreo Cups – Sprinkle crushed gluten-free Oreos on the top layer of chocolate before it hardens.

Homemade Peanut Butter and Jelly Cups

Gluten and Dairy Free Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups dairy-free chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life brand)
  • 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp peanut butter
  • 1 tbsp non-dairy butter
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup jelly of choice (optional)

Directions

  1. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners and set to the side.
  2. Combine 1 cup of dairy-free chocolate chips and 1 tbsp peanut butter in a glass bowl or measuring cup. Microwave, stirring in 30-second increments until melted completely.
  3. Pour chocolate into the bottom of the cupcake liners until it covers the bottom of each one. Gently hit the pan on the table/counter to spread the chocolate out in the liners.
  4. Stick the pan in the freezer while preparing the peanut butter mixture.
  5. In a separate glass bowl or measuring cup stir together 1/2 cup peanut butter, powdered sugar, and softened dairy-free butter until smooth.
  6. Remove the muffin pan from the freezer and spoon the peanut butter mixture on top of each muffin cup. Spread around evenly with a spoon.
  7. (Optional step if PB and Jelly cups are desired). Spoon a tsp of jelly on top of the peanut butter and spread around with a spoon.
  8. Insert the pan back into the freezer.
  9. Combine the remaining cup of dairy-free chocolate chips and 1 tbsp peanut butter in a glass bowl or measuring cup. Microwave, stirring in 30-second increments until melted completely.
  10. Remove the muffin tin from the freezer and layer chocolate on top of each cup, spreading it evenly after each cup as it will harden fast.
  11. Insert the muffin pan into the freezer and freeze for an hour (or more).
  12. When eating, remove from freezer and let sit for 5 minutes before eating to let the chocolate soften a bit.

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Cool Time: 1 Hour

Servings: 12 Peanut Butter Cups

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
<h4>Rachael</h4>

Rachael

Hi, I'm Rachael. I am a kindergarten teacher turned stay-at-home mom of two sweet girls.
44 Comments
    • Rachael

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
      • Phil

        I’m not a big fan of reese’s peanut butter cups but I’ve had home made ones and they are so much better!

        Very keen to try out this recipe and especially appreciate the alternative versions that add a little twist 🙂

        Just a little editing note, you’ve spelled the word chocolate as chocoalte a few times in the post.

        Thanks for sharing this recipe and looking forward to what you come up with next!

        Reply
        • Rachael

          Thanks so much and thank you for the feedback! Yes, they are the best!

          Reply
  1. Rupali Paul

    Yummy recipe. Will try making them. Thanks

    Reply
    • Rachael

      Thanks Rupali! I hope you enjoy them!

      Reply
  2. Jeannie

    I’ll be trying this, looks so easy and delicious! kinda like dairy-free reeses😀 thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Rachael

      Yes exactly! They’re so good!

      Reply
  3. Laurie

    Looks so yum I’m making it tomorrow

    Reply
    • Rachael

      Thanks so much Laurie! I hope you enjoyed them!

      Reply
  4. Whitney Woodley

    Oh my goodness! This is right up my alley! Definitely going to try to make these!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
    • Rachael

      Thanks so much Whitney! I hope you enjoy them!

      Reply
  5. Tabitha G

    I’m definitely going to have to try to make these. And I never thought about adding jelly! What a great idea! Also, is there a particular brand of peanut butter you prefer to use?

    Reply
    • Rachael

      Yes! We love adding jelly. I usually add to half the batch when I make them so I can have some of both! I like to use the skippy natural creamy peanut butter as there is less sugar but it is still delicious!

      Reply
  6. Brandee

    What a delicious recipe I will have to try this!

    Reply
    • Rachael

      Thanks so much Brandee!

      Reply
  7. Cassandra

    These look and sound delis! I will have to try this for my family. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Rachael

      Thanks so much Cassandra! I hope they enjoy them!

      Reply
  8. Jolayne

    These made my mouth water as I scrolled. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Rachael

      Thanks so much Jolayne! Yes, they definitely do that!

      Reply
    • Rachael

      Thanks so much Emily! They are so good!

      Reply
  9. Lisa

    We are HUGE peanut butter cup fans in this house. What an AWESOME idea! Thanks for the detailed recipe. 🙂

    Reply
    • Rachael

      Yes, they are our favorite! And homemade ones are soo good! Thanks so much Lisa!

      Reply
  10. Jeannie

    love this dairy free butter cups good way to indulge chocolate and peanut butter

    Reply
    • Rachael

      Thanks so much Jeannie! Yes, my husband is dairy free so we make mostly dairy-free desserts in our house. This one is a favorite!

      Reply
  11. Jean

    These look amazing!! I cannot wait to try them! I honestly did not realize you could make peanut butter cups in a muffin tin! Sounds much easier than I expected!

    Reply
    • Rachael

      Thanks so much Jean! You can also make them in a mini muffin tin if you desire a smaller treat. Yes, so easy and so delicious!

      Reply
  12. Diana

    These look amazing!! I didn’t know you could make this dairy-free, I might have to try this! (Dairy can be an issue for a kosher diet.)

    Reply
    • Rachael

      Thanks so much Diana! I hope you enjoy them if you try them!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        Can’t wait to try this. My absolute favorites….

        Reply
        • Rachael

          Thank you so much. I hope you enjoy them!

          Reply
  13. Stephanie

    OMG! I love that these are simple and take little time to prep. I’m definitely going to be trying these out soon!!

    Reply
    • Rachael

      Thanks so much Stephanie!

      Reply
  14. Heidi

    Oh my goodness! These (the store bought kind) are my favorite treat. I cannot wait to try this recipe and make them myself! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Rachael

      Thanks so much Heidi! Yes, we are peanut butter cup lovers in our house as well. So good!

      Reply
  15. Maureen

    I have to share this recipe with a friend whose son is vegan. She was looking for treats to include in his Easter basket, and this looks like it would fit the bill!

    Reply
    • Rachael

      Thanks so much Maureen! They are a great vegan treat and soo good!

      Reply
  16. Michelle

    Looks delicious! I cannot wait to try the recipe.

    Reply
    • Rachael

      Thanks so much Michelle! I hope you enjoy them!

      Reply
  17. Michele Vadnais

    If it’s got peanut butter, I’m in. Add chocolate to the mix and it’s next level. So these are a must try!

    Reply
    • Rachael

      Yes, two of my favorite things are peanut butter and chocolate. So good!

      Reply
  18. Kathy

    Oh wow, these look amazing! Peanut butter cups are favorites but I rarely indulge. I’ll be trying these for sure.

    Reply

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