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These salted caramel peanut butter cups are a yummy treat that combines creamy, rich peanut butter with caramel’s sweet and gooey texture. The salty-sweet combination creates a perfect balance of flavors. There’s nothing more impressive than making homemade sweets and treats like these. Did I mention that these cups are no-bake and require zero special tools? These no bake salted caramel cups may be small but they are a candy that is big on taste!
Whip up a batch of easy and ultra-delicious salted caramel peanut butter cups as the perfect anytime sweet treat.
If you’re into these treats, dive into these peanut butter recipes for more inspiration. Try peanut butter pie or caramel-centered Snickerdoodles.
Why You’ll Love It
Perfect flavor balance: Does caramel and peanut butter go together? You bet it does! Combining sweet chocolate, creamy peanut butter, rich caramel, and a touch of sea salt is irresistible.
Easy to make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, these cups are easy to whip up, even for beginners.
Kid-friendly: Kids will love helping to make and eat this classic peanut butter cup recipe. It is a super fun family activity.
Customizable: You can do so much with these base recipes; check out the variation section for ideas.
Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Cups Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Milk chocolate chips: Use high-quality creamy milk chocolate chips for a smooth and creamy texture.
Coconut oil: It thins out the chocolate and adds a mild coconut flavor. It also helps to smooth the melting of the chocolate.
Butter (for peanut butter layer): Adds richness and helps to create a smooth, creamy consistency.
Crunchy peanut butter: For a yummy, crunchy texture and a rich, nutty flavor to the salted caramel cups. Make sure the peanut butter is well mixed before using it.
Graham cracker crumbs: Add a slight crunch and a subtle honey taste.
Heavy cream: Creates a creamy, smooth caramel and helps to prevent crystallization.
Sea salt: Enhances the flavors of both the chocolate and the caramel. Use a little extra for garnishing.
How to Make Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Cups
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Make the chocolate cups: Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave. Pour a teaspoon of melted chocolate into each paper cup. Spread the chocolate up the sides with a spoon, and place it in a mini muffin pan to set. Keep the rest for later.
Make the filling: Melt butter and peanut butter. Stir in powdered sugar and graham cracker crumbs. Add the peanut butter mixture to each chocolate cup, filling them halfway to two-thirds full.
Make the salted caramel: Melt sugar, whisking constantly until it turns golden brown. Carefully add butter to the caramel (it will bubble). Whisk until melted and combined. Add the cream, whisking continuously. Remove from heat and stir in sea salt. Let the caramel cool and thicken.
To finish the treats: Spoon a teaspoon of cooled caramel over the peanut butter mixture in each cup, leaving room at the top. Top each cup with a teaspoon of reserved melted chocolate, smoothing it out and sealing the edges. Sprinkle with sea salt and let sit for at least 20 minutes.
Substitutions and Variations
Chocolate chip alternatives: Swap milk chocolate chips with dark chocolate or even white chocolate chips.
Almond butter or cashew butter: Don’t want peanuts in these? Switch the peanut butter with almond butter (I really like this one!) or cashew butter.
Non-dairy cream: Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream or any other non-dairy cream for a dairy-free snack option.
Vegan butter: Replace butter with vegan butter or margarine.
Nut-free: Use sunflower seed or cookie butter in place of peanut butter for a nut-free version.
Spicy: Sprinkle a little cayenne pepper or chili powder into the melted chocolate. So good!
Fruit-filled: Add a small layer of fruit preserves or jam between the peanut butter and caramel layers.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizer: Start with these incredible salt and pepper pork bites or some slow cooker tacos. These mini pizzas are a great start.
Main: Dish up oven baked Mediterranean cod or this incredible pasta al forno for mains.
Dessert: End off with a plate of my copycat Reese’s peanut butter cup with caramel treats! And maybe a big cup of coffee or your favorite drink.
How to Store Salted Caramel Cups
Store: Keep your treats covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 6 days.
Freezer: Place in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw: To defrost them, pop them on the counter until they reach room temperature.
Top Tips
Take a shortcut: You can buy salted caramel sauce at most grocery and bulk stores.
Microwave cautiously: Melt chocolate at 50% power and in short intervals. Stir frequently for even melting. Go slow to avoid scorching your chocolate!
Smooth peanut butter: Make sure the peanut butter is well-mixed before using to ensure a consistent texture.
Set properly: Allow the peanut butter cups to set for at least 20 minutes before eating. This makes sure all layers are firm, and flavors are melded together.
Skip the natural peanut butter: It is too oily to set properly.
Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Cups FAQs
Absolutely! The rich sweetness of caramel perfectly complements the creamy, nutty flavor of peanut butter, creating a deliciously indulgent treat.
Yes, you can use other neutral oils like vegetable oil or butter. I recommend using coconut oil because it has smooth melting properties and a mild taste.
Melt the sugar over medium heat and stir constantly. Watch closely as the sugar begins to caramelize to prevent it from burning.
The caramel will thicken as it cools. If it stays too runny, let it cool a bit longer before adding it to the cups.
Yes, you can leave out the graham cracker crumbs, but they do add a nice texture and flavor.
Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Cups Recipe
Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Cups
Ingredients
- 2 Cups milk chocolate chips
- 2 Tablespoons coconut oil
- ½ Cup plus 6 Tablespoons butter
- ½ Cup peanut butter, crunchy
- 1 Cup powdered sugar
- 2/3 Cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1 Cup granulated sugar
- 6 Tablespoons butter
- ½ Cup heavy cream
- ½ Teaspoon sea salt , plus more for garnish
Instructions
- In a microwave safe mixing bowl, place the chocolate chips and coconut oil. Heat in the microwave for 1 minute at 50% power. Stir and continue heating in 30 second increments at 50% power, stirring between each time increment. This will take approximately 5 minutes.
- Pour a teaspoon of melted chocolate in each paper cup. Use a spoon to spread the chocolate up the sides of the paper cup. Place in the mini muffin tin to set. This is optional but it helps to retain the shape of the cup while the chocolate sets. Set aside the remainder chocolate for later use.
- In a large microwave safe mixing bowl, melt 1/2 cup butter with the peanut butter on high for 1 or 2 minutes until melted.
- Add the powdered sugar and graham cracker crumbs and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Add about a tablespoon of the peanut butter mixture, filling each chocolate cup halfway to two-thirds full.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the sugar over medium heat whisking constantly. It will take 5 to 6 minutes for the sugar to melt completely and turn a golden brown color.
- Add 6 tablespoons butter to the pot but be careful – it will bubble up quickly. Continue whisking over a medium heat until the butter is melted and completely mixed in, 1 or 2 minutes.
- Slowly add the heavy cream and whisk it in. Let the caramel bubble for 1 minute without stirring. The caramel will bubble up quite a bit – that’s normal.
- Remove from heat and stir in the sea salt. Let the caramel sit and cool. It will seem very runny at first but will thicken as it stands and cools.
- Spoon about a teaspoon of the cooled caramel over the peanut butter mixture in each cup. It will be about ¾ full – be sure to leave room to seal the top.
- Top each peanut butter cup with a teaspoon of the reserved melted chocolate and smooth it out making sure the edges are sealed. If you need to, reheat the chocolate in the microwave at 50% power in 30 second increments until smooth again.
- Sprinkle the top with a pinch of sea salt and allow to sit for at least 20 minutes before serving.
Notes
Microwave cautiously: Melt chocolate at 50% power and in short intervals. Stir frequently for even melting. Go slow to avoid scorching your chocolate!
Smooth peanut butter: Make sure the peanut butter is well-mixed before using to ensure a consistent texture.
Set properly: Allow the peanut butter cups to set for at least 20 minutes before eating. This makes sure all layers are firm, and flavors are melded together.
Skip the natural peanut butter: It is too oily to set properly.
Nutrition
You’ve got to try these incredible salted caramel peanut butter cups, where creamy peanut butter meets caramel’s sweet, gooey goodness. This recipe is a crave-worthy blend of salty and sweet that is next level delicious. You will love that its also a no-bake recipe without any fancy tools. Make these effortless sweet treats and fall in love with their irresistible texture and flavor.
Other Sweet Treat Recipes To Try
- Pair a favorite French dessert with the softness of a cookie recipe to make these yummy creme brulee cookies.
- These funfetti whoopie pies scream party time – sprinkles galore!
- Whip up these light and dreamy puffed wheat squares, loaded with CRUNCH.
- Little bomboloni or Italian doughnuts are the ultimate sweet bite with creamy center!
- How pretty do these mini cupcake cones look? They taste even better.
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Salted caramel is one of my favorite flavors ever. And these peanut butter cups are seriously addicting.