Perfect Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

This is my perfect dark chocolate peanut butter cups recipe. They are so good, you are going to have to hide them so you don’t eat them all.

These are perfect dark chocolate peanut butter cups.  I have loved peanut butter cups since I was a small girl.  The only thing I found ‘lacking’ from the delish treats I consumed was my beloved dark chocolate. You see, peanut butter cups were all made with milk chocolate back then, and although I like milk chocolate, I love dark chocolate.

L – O – V- E  ❤️ !!

If given the choice, I would choose dark chocolate every time.

So, naturally, when I make peanut butter cups, I always make them with dark chocolate.

Random question: Have you ever tried to eat the peanut butter part out of the cup without breaking the sides?

I have.  Why did I do this?  I have no clue, but for some reason, it pleased me greatly when I was successful.

One other chocolate cups:  Marshmallow caramel

On to the Perfect Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups recipe

First up are the chocolate chips.  I gather both my Ghirardelli  60 percent cocoa and bittersweet chocolate chips.

I pour a few inches of water in a saucepan and set the heat to medium.  When the water is nearly boiling, I lower the heat.  I dump 12 ounces of the chocolate chips in a glass bowl and set it on the saucepan, stirring occasionally while it melts over the hot water.

This is my impromptu double boiler set-up.

Next, I take the parchment paper cups and line the muffin pan.

The first batch of chocolate is melted so it is time to spoon a little in each of the paper cups.

First Layer Done

Yay.  We are getting closer.

Now, I place the muffin pan into the freezer for 10 minutes for the chocolate to set.

As I’m waiting, I gather the peanut butter, some butter and confectioner’s sugar.

I place 1/2 cup of peanut butter, 1/4 cup of the sugar and 2 tablespoons of room temperature butter in a metal bowl.  I use my rubber spatula to mix these ingredients up.

I pull the muffin pan out of the freezer and spoon the peanut butter on top of the chocolate.

Back into the freezer they go for 10 minutes, so the peanut butter can set.

Second Layer Done

I add the rest of the chocolate in the glass bowl and set it once again over the heated water.  I stir occasionally so the chocolate melts.

Once it has melted, I pull the muffin pan out of the freezer and spoon the chocolate over the peanut butter layer.

Third Layer Done

I bet you can guess what’s next!

Yup, you are right: I place the tin back in the freezer for an additional 10 minutes.

Ding a ling!  Time to take the muffin pan out of the freezer again.

See, they are all set.

Time to eat them

You can either refrigerate them until you are ready to serve them or you can keep them frozen and parcel them out one by one.  The one thing you can’t do is keep them on the counter.  At least, not during the summer time as they will melt!  Quickly.

I like to wrap my perfect dark chocolate peanut butter cups individually and freeze them, because if they are in the refrigerator, I would want to eat one each time I opened the fridge.  So, in the freezer, they are out of sight, out of mind.

Oh, heck, who am I kidding, I know they are there, I just have better control of myself when they are frozen.

Here are some peanut butter cups stacked.

And now to cut into one.

YUM.

Christopher and I enjoyed eating these (he’s not a big candy eater, so I consider that a compliment).  But don’t worry, we still have a few left in the freezer.

We aren’t piggies.

Mostly.

I hope you enjoyed this recipe.

Please feel free to Pin any photo to Pinterest, Yum the recipe to Yummly or leave me a comment!

And as always, may all your dishes be delish!

5 from 1 vote

Print

Perfect Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

5 mins

Total Time

35 mins

 

These delicious dark chocolate peanut butter cups are best hidden away in the freezer so you won't eat them all! Just a warning.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Candy

Servings: 12 peanut butter cups

Calories: 395 kcal

Author: Elaine Benoit

Ingredients

• 12 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips 60% cocoa Ghirardelli chips
• 12 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup confectioner's sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter room temperature

Instructions

1. Mix the two chocolate chips together, divide them in half
2. Over a double burner melt 1/2 of the chocolate chips
3. Line a muffin tin with parchment paper cups
4. Spoon melted chocolate in the cups, place in the freezer for 10 minutes
5. Place peanut butter, confectioner's sugar and butter in a bowl and mix with a spatula
6. Take muffin pan out of freezer and spoon peanut butter on top of chocolate layer
7. Place back in the freezer for 10 minutes
8. Melt the other half of the chocolate over the double boiler and spoon melted chocolate on top of the set peanut butter
9. Place back in the freezer for 10 minutes
10. Take out and unwrap each peanut butter cup
11. Serve immediately or place in refrigerator until ready to serve
12. I cut mine with a knife before I eat them because they are hard from the freezer
13. Chomp
14. Swallow
15. Smile
16. Enjoy

Recipe Notes

These melt easy, keep them in the fridge or freezer

Nutrition Facts

Perfect Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Amount Per Serving (1 cup)

Calories 395 Calories from Fat 225

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 25g 38%

Saturated Fat 18g 90%

Cholesterol 5mg 2%

Sodium 126mg 5%

Potassium 428mg 12%

Total Carbohydrates 36g 12%

Dietary Fiber 2g 8%

Sugars 22g

Protein 7g 14%

Vitamin A 1.2%

Vitamin C 0.3%

Calcium 17.6%

Iron 5.2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.