Peanut butter hearts are a delightful dessert with delicious sweet peanut butter covered in your favorite melting chocolate!
These peanut butter hearts are even better than Reese’s Peanut Butter Hearts! So fun and easy to whip up; we love making them to hand out as Valentine’s to family and friends. Make a holiday treat tray with champagne truffles, homemade 3 musketeers, and Almond Joy cookies.
Peanut Butter Hearts
Peanut Butter Hearts
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Why you’ll love this recipe!
📌 Perfect for Valentine’s day or an anniversary celebration.
📌 A simple no-bake recipe.
📌 Just 5 easy ingredients.
Peanut Butter Hearts Ingredients
- Cream cheese – Softened.
- Butter – Unsalted, softened.
- Peanut butter – Creamy peanut butter.
- Sugar – Powdered sugar.
- Chocolate – Red, white, and pink melting chocolates.
- Sprinkles – Optional, use if desired.
How do you make peanut butter hearts at home? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, add the cream cheese and butter to a stand mixer and beat until smooth. Add in the peanut butter and beat until combined. Beat in the powdered sugar until well mixed.
⭐ Next, use a cookie scoop to scoop the peanut butter mixture. Roll the dough into a ball and pinch the bottom of the heart to form a point and make the top of the heart using your hands. Place the hearts on a wax or parchment paper lined baking sheet and freeze until firm.
⭐ Then, melt the chocolate in the microwave in increments, stirring until melted and smooth. Use two forks to dip the chilled hearts in the different colored chocolate to coat. Gently shake off the excess chocolate.
⭐ Finally, place the dipped hearts back on the wax or parchment paper and immediately add sprinkles if desired. Let the chocolate set and serve!
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Preparation
Can chocolate peanut butter hearts be made ahead of time?
Yes, these can be made a day or two in advance. Store the hearts in the fridge until ready to serve. You can also make the peanut butter hearts, freeze them until hard and then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight freezer safe container and dip the hearts in the chocolate at a later date.
What kind of coating to use for peanut butter hearts?
We like to use colored candy melts for this because the chocolate melts smoothly and the colors are bright and vibrant. You could also use almond bark or white chocolate chips melted and add food coloring to achieve the color.
How do you shape the peanut butter balls into hearts?
The best method we found was just using our hands but you could also try to use a cookie cutter. We formed the dough into a ball and then shaped the heart using our fingers.
Storage and leftovers
How long do chocolate peanut butter hearts last?
These will last in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Store in an airtight container and place the hearts between layers of parchment or wax paper to keep them from sticking together.
Can you freeze chocolate peanut butter hearts?
Yes, these can be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Layer the hearts between sheets of wax or parchment paper to prevent the hearts from freezing together.
Tips and tricks
✅ Try using crunchy peanut butter for a different texture to the hearts.
✅ Make sure to chill these in the freezer instead of the refrigerator as they will be easier to dip in the chocolate.
✅ Use a fork to drizzle a chocolate design onto the hearts for fun decoration.
✅ Try changing up the colors and even the shapes to create more festive designs!
Frequently asked questions
Can I use natural peanut butter instead of creamy peanut butter?
While creamy peanut butter is recommended for a smoother texture, you can experiment with natural peanut butter. Keep in mind that it might alter the consistency. If it’s too runny you can add more powdered sugar.
Can I make smaller or larger-sized hearts?
Absolutely! Adjust the size according to your preference. Smaller hearts may require less chilling time, while larger ones might need a bit more.
How do I prevent the coating from seizing when melting?
Make sure to melt the chocolate in short increments, stirring each time. Avoid introducing moisture, and use dry utensils to prevent seizing.
Can I use milk or dark chocolate instead of colored chocolate?
Yes, you can substitute colored chocolate with milk or dark chocolate for a classic flavor. Adjust the sweetness according to your taste.
Can I use this recipe for other shapes besides hearts?
Absolutely! Feel free to get creative with shapes. Stars, circles, or even letters can be formed using the same basic technique. You can see it in the wild with our peanut butter Christmas trees!
What to enjoy with peanut butter hearts (serving suggestions)
We love these chocolate peanut butter hearts around Valentine’s day and really for any fun and festive occasion. Try making these with chocolate toffee bars, S’mores bark, and banana pudding cookies.
More delicious peanut butter sweets to try!
- Peanut butter bars
- Peanut butter cookies
- Peanut butter cups
- Peanut butter bark
- Peanut butter pie
- Peanut butter mousse
- Peanut butter balls
- Peanut butter blossoms
- See all our easy peanut butter recipes!
Tools we love
- Silicon baking mat – Nothing sticks to these, I swear by them!
- Silicone whisk – This whisk set has all the sizes you need for your cooking and baking. And it’s cute!
- Baker’s Half Sheet – This is the baking sheet we use in the cooking video. Another favvvvvorite. I have four or maybe six of them.
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How to Make Peanut Butter Hearts
Peanut Butter Hearts
Ingredients
- 1 block cream cheese 8 ounces (softened)
- ½ cup salted butter softened
- 1 jar creamy peanut butter about 18 ounces
- 1 package confectioners sugar 2 pounds
- 2 pounds candy melts in your desired colors (can also use almond bark or chocolate)
- optional: sprinkles
Instructions
- Use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese and butter in a large bowl until smooth. Add in the peanut butter and continue beating until fully incorporated, then add sugar and beat until fully incorporated.
- I use a 1½ tablespoon scoop to make balls. Form each ball into a heart shape. Alternatively, you can use a heart shaped cookie cutter and press spoonfuls of the peanut butter mixture into it until full. Use the back of the spoon to press the filling to the edges and smooth the top. Gently push the peanut butter filling out of the cutter and onto a parchment or silicone lined baking sheet.
- Repeat until you are out of filling, then freeze for at least 30 minutes.
- When you're ready to coat the hearts, add your melting chocolate to a microwave safe bowl and heat on high power in 20 second increments, stirring between heat cycles, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
- Carefully dip and coat each heart in the melted chocolate and return them to the lined baking sheet. Make sure to add sprinkles before the chocolate sets. Drizzle with other colors of melting chocolate for decoration, if desired.
- Allow to fully set before serving.
Notes
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-5 days.
Nutrition
Peanut Butter Hearts
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Beth says
I made a batch of these last night as a test run for a Valentine’s Day party I’m hosting. The kids and I agree they’re winners!
Gina says
These are downright addictive. We can’t get enough – I’m making another batch today.
Amanda says
I made these for an early Valentines party and they were a huge hit!
Sandra says
These are not just cute! They’re very yummy too! My kids and I had fun making them!
Erin says
So pretty and totally irresistible! One of the best I’ve ever made!
Katerina Petrovska says
These were so fun to make with the kids! They turned out amazing! Perfect for Valentine’s day!
Beti Micevska says
This is such a fantastic treat! They turned out amazing!
Catalina says
The perfect blend of chocolate and peanut butter, these little hearts were not only adorable but so delicious. They disappeared in no time at our house!