Peanut Butter Crunch Cups Recipe

Perfect Peanut Butter Crunch Cups Recipe: Sweet Homemade Treats

Chocolate peanut butter crunch cups represent the ultimate indulgence for dessert lovers seeking a perfect balance of flavors.

Sweet and salty elements dance together in these irresistible miniature delights.

Silky chocolate meets rich, velvety peanut butter, creating a sensational contrast that awakens taste buds.

Crispy elements add an unexpected textural dimension, reimagineing an ordinary treat into an extraordinary experience.

Decadent yet playful, these cups merge childhood nostalgia with gourmet sophistication.

Compact and elegant, they deliver maximum satisfaction in just a single bite.

Prepare to be seduced by this reimagineative confectionery sensation.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Cups: A Decadent Dessert

  • Savor Quick Chocolate Delight: These crunch cups deliver an irresistible blend of rich dark chocolate and creamy peanut butter in under an hour, perfect for satisfying sudden sweet cravings.
  • Enjoy Texture-Packed Treat: The brown rice crisp cereal creates an amazing crackly crunch that contrasts beautifully with smooth chocolate and peanut butter, making each bite exciting and memorable.
  • Master No-Bake Simplicity: With just a few ingredients and minimal cooking skills required, anyone can whip up these delicious cups without turning on an oven, making them ideal for beginner bakers or busy dessert lovers.
  • Chill and Store Convenience: These treats freeze perfectly, allowing you to prepare a batch in advance and store them easily in the refrigerator or freezer for spontaneous snacking moments.

What You Need for Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Cups

Base Ingredients:
  • Dark Chocolate Chips: Provides rich, deep chocolate flavor and serves as the main binding agent for the recipe.
  • Peanut Butter: Adds creamy texture and classic nutty taste that complements the chocolate perfectly.
Crunch Ingredient:
  • Brown Rice Crisp Cereal: Creates a satisfying crispy texture and adds lightness to the chocolate cups.
Preparation Ingredients:
  • Muffin Tin (Regular or Silicone): Helps shape the crunch cups and allows for easy removal after setting.
  • Cooking Spray or Oil: Ensures non-stick surface and easy release of the chocolate cups from the tin.

How to Make Perfect Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Cups

Step 1: Prepare the Muffin Tin

Lightly grease a regular muffin tin or grab a silicone muffin tin ready to use.

Step 2: Melt the Chocolate

Melt dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler until smooth and glossy.

Step 3: Blend Chocolate and Peanut Butter

Stir peanut butter into the melted chocolate, mixing until completely combined and creamy.

Step 4: Add Crispy Crunch

Fold in brown rice crisp cereal, ensuring:
  • Each cereal piece gets coated with chocolate
  • Even distribution of ingredients
  • No dry spots remain

Step 5: Fill the Muffin Cups

Spoon the chocolate-peanut butter mixture into muffin cups, distributing evenly and filling each cup completely.

Step 6: Freeze and Set

Place the muffin tin in the freezer for 1 hour, allowing the crunch cups to fully solidify.

Step 7: Store and Serve

Remove crunch cups from the muffin tray and transfer to an airtight container. Store in refrigerator or freezer for later enjoyment.

Tips for Getting Your Crunch Cups Just Right

  • Prevent Sticking: Lightly grease the muffin tin or use silicone molds to ensure easy removal of the crunch cups.
  • Chocolate Melting Magic: Melt chocolate slowly and gently to avoid burning, stirring frequently for a smooth, glossy finish.
  • Cereal Coating Technique: Fold rice crisp cereal gently to maintain crispness and ensure even chocolate distribution.
  • Perfect Freezing Tip: Freeze the cups for exactly one hour to achieve the ideal texture and easy release from the tin.
  • Storage Savvy: Keep crunch cups in an airtight container in the freezer for up to two weeks, maintaining their crisp and delicious quality.

Storing Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Cups for Later

  • Refrigerate in an Airtight Container: Place the chocolate peanut butter crunch cups in a sealed container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Properly stored, these treats will maintain their delicious texture for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
  • Freeze for Long-Term Storage: Transfer the crunch cups to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. Frozen treats will stay fresh for 1-2 months, making them a perfect make-ahead dessert for unexpected cravings.
  • Thawing and Serving: Remove the desired number of crunch cups from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before enjoying. Quick thawing ensures the crispy texture remains intact, delivering that perfect crunch with every bite.

Serve Your Crunch Cups with These Flavorful Treats

  • Pair with Creamy Milk Stout: The rich, smooth chocolate notes in a milk stout complement the dark chocolate and peanut butter, creating a decadent flavor harmony that enhances the dessert's depth.
  • Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: The cool, smooth vanilla provides a refreshing contrast to the crunchy, intense chocolate and peanut butter texture, balancing the dessert's richness.
  • Match with Salted Caramel Latte: The combination of salt, caramel, and coffee creates a complex flavor profile that elevates the sweetness of the chocolate peanut butter crunch cups, adding an extra layer of indulgence.
  • Accompany with Fresh Raspberries: The tart, bright berries cut through the dessert's heaviness, adding a fresh, tangy element that cleanses the palate and provides a light counterpoint to the rich chocolate.

Fun Twists on Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Cups

  • Nutty Caramel Crunch: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce between chocolate layers and sprinkle chopped almonds for extra crunch and rich flavor.
  • White Chocolate Coconut: Replace dark chocolate with white chocolate and mix shredded coconut into the base for a tropical-inspired treat.
  • Almond Butter Berry: Swap peanut butter with almond butter and add dried cranberries or freeze-dried raspberries for a tangy, sophisticated version.
  • Mint Chocolate Chip: Incorporate peppermint extract into melted chocolate and fold in mini dark chocolate chips for a refreshing, cool sensation.
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Peanut Butter Crunch Cups Recipe

Peanut Butter Crunch Cups Recipe


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4.6 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Cups bring together classic flavor combinations from childhood memories. Graham cracker crumbs and creamy peanut butter meld perfectly with rich chocolate, creating an irresistible treat that promises delightful moments of pure indulgence.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2.5 cups dark chocolate chips
  • 0.25 cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)

Crispy Texture Ingredient:

  • 2 cups brown rice crisp cereal

Instructions

  1. Prepare a 12-cavity muffin tin by lightly coating with cooking spray or positioning a silicone muffin tray for easy removal.
  2. Create a smooth chocolate base by melting dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring between each interval until completely liquefied.
  3. Incorporate creamy peanut butter into the melted chocolate, whisking thoroughly to ensure a uniform, glossy mixture with no chocolate streaks.
  4. Add crispy brown rice cereal to the chocolate-peanut butter combination, gently folding with a spatula to coat each cereal piece evenly without crushing the delicate grains.
  5. Distribute the chocolate-cereal mixture carefully into each muffin cavity, using a spoon to fill them equally and tap the tin gently to eliminate air pockets.
  6. Place the filled muffin tin in the freezer for 45-60 minutes, allowing the cups to solidify completely and develop a satisfying crunch.
  7. Extract the chilled crunch cups by gently pressing the bottom of each cavity or inverting the silicone tray, then transfer to an airtight container for storage in the refrigerator or freezer.

Notes

  • Freezing transforms these treats from messy mixture to firm, delectable bites perfect for quick snacking.
  • Silicone muffin tins make removal effortless, preventing potential sticking and breakage during extraction.
  • Brown rice crisp cereal adds delightful crunch, creating unexpected texture against smooth chocolate and creamy peanut butter.
  • Dark chocolate provides rich depth, complementing the sweet, nutty peanut butter flavor profile wonderfully.
  • Keep stored containers sealed in refrigerator or freezer to maintain optimal texture and prevent potential melting.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 310 kcal
  • Sugar: 22g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 42g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: <1mg
Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen

Founder, Pastry Chef & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Artisanal Bread Making
  • Exquisite Pastry Craftsmanship
  • Creative Dessert Presentation
  • Flavor Profile Development
  • Menu Concept Innovation.

Education

Savannah Technical College

  • Program: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Baking & Pastry Arts
  • Focus: A specialized program focusing on baking and pastry fundamentals, including bread making, cake decorating, and advanced pastry techniques. Developed creative presentation skills and an understanding of ingredient functions through lab-based practice.

Mary Ellen is the heart and soul of thatsmyhome.com. As the founder, pastry chef, and recipe developer, she refined her skills at Savannah Technical College with an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Baking & Pastry Arts. 

Mary blends classic techniques with modern twists to make artisanal breads, beautifully crafted pastries, and desserts full of unique flavor. Her passion is evident in every recipe, and she enjoys sharing her expertise through hands-on pastry workshops and insightful articles in local culinary magazines.

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