Chocolate Peanut Butter Heart Treats Recipe
Deliciously rich and creamy Chocolate Peanut Butter Hearts, combining smooth peanut butter filling with a luscious chocolate coating. These no-bake treats are perfect for gifting or indulging during special occasions, easy to prepare and freezer-friendly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (melting chocolate)
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes (including freezing time)
- Yield: Approximately 30 heart-shaped pieces 1x
- Category: No-Cook
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Peanut Butter Filling
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter, room temperature
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Chocolate Coating
- 10–12 oz. chocolate, chopped (half semi-sweet and half milk chocolate) or good quality candy coating
Instructions
- Prepare Pan: Line an 8 x 8 inch dish with parchment paper, ensuring a paper overhang to easily lift the peanut butter layer later. Set aside.
- Mix Filling: In a mixing bowl, stir together the peanut butter, melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until the sugar dissolves. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar until fully incorporated.
- Press Mixture: Press the mixture firmly into the prepared dish to about a ½ inch thick layer, smoothing the top with a spatula or your palms.
- Freeze Filling: Place the dish in the freezer until firm enough to cut, approximately 1-2 hours.
- Cut Hearts: Once firm, line a tray with parchment paper. Use a small heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut hearts from the peanut butter layer. Gather leftover pieces, knead gently, and cut additional hearts.
- Freeze Hearts: Place the cut hearts on the tray and freeze again until firm.
- Melt Chocolate: Melt the chocolate or candy coating gently, either over a double boiler or in short intervals in the microwave, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Dip Hearts: Dip each frozen peanut butter heart into the melted chocolate using a fork, ensuring complete coverage. Tap the fork gently to remove excess chocolate. Work with a few hearts at a time to keep them firm.
- Set Chocolate: Place the chocolate-covered hearts back onto the parchment-lined tray and refrigerate until the chocolate is set, about 30 minutes.
- Store: Store the finished chocolate peanut butter hearts in the refrigerator for short term or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
- Using room temperature peanut butter and melted butter helps to blend the filling smoothly.
- Freezing the peanut butter mixture before cutting and before dipping ensures clean heart shapes and easier handling.
- You can substitute candy coating with high-quality chocolate for a richer flavor but be mindful of tempering for shine.
- Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- For best results, work quickly when dipping to prevent the peanut butter hearts from softening.
Keywords: chocolate peanut butter hearts, no bake peanut butter treats, peanut butter chocolate candy, homemade chocolate candy, easy chocolate peanut butter recipe
