Bring a burst of homemade love to your kitchen with Reese’s Valentine’s Hearts, the ultimate treat for peanut butter and chocolate fans. This no-bake dessert transforms classic flavors into charming heart shapes, perfect for Valentine’s Day or anytime your sweet tooth calls. Each bite combines creamy peanut butter, silky chocolate, and a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture that rivals your favorite store-bought candy. Whether you’re making these for a special someone or as a delightful gift, these hearts come together easily and look simply stunning!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list for Reese’s Valentine’s Hearts is refreshingly short but totally essential. Each component plays its part to deliver that classic peanut butter cup experience—with a festive, homemade twist.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: This forms the nutty, rich base—opt for your favorite brand for the best flavor.
- Unsalted Butter (softened): Adds creaminess and helps everything meld into a cohesive dough.
- Vanilla Extract: Infuses a warm, aromatic touch that balances the nutty peanut butter.
- Salt: Just a pinch does wonders, heightening all the other flavors.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the dough for a texture that holds its shape, yet stays tender.
- Milk Chocolate Chips: Melts smoothly and sets into that signature Reese’s chocolate shell.
- Coconut Oil or Vegetable Shortening: Ensures the melted chocolate becomes glossy and easy to dip.
- Festive Sprinkles or Colored Candy Melts (optional): Add a pop of color and whimsy to your Reese’s Valentine’s Hearts.
How to Make Reese’s Valentine’s Hearts
Step 1: Make the Peanut Butter Dough
Start by combining the peanut butter, softened butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in a mixing bowl. Stir until the mixture is creamy and smooth—a stand mixer or sturdy spatula both work well. This base is the heart (pun intended!) of your Reese’s Valentine’s Hearts, so make sure everything is well blended and lump-free before moving on.
Step 2: Add the Sugar and Shape the Dough
Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, stirring until you get a thick, pliable dough. It should resemble playdough and pull together from the sides of the bowl. Now, press this dough out on a parchment-lined baking sheet to about a half-inch thickness. This step ensures your hearts will be perfectly shaped and just the right bite-size.
Step 3: Chill and Cut Out Heart Shapes
Slide your baking sheet into the fridge for at least 30 minutes. The dough will firm up, making it easy to cleanly cut heart shapes. Once chilled, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to create each Reese’s Valentine’s Heart—gathering and re-rolling scraps as needed for more hearts. Line them up on the baking sheet and pop them in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes to set their shape for dipping.
Step 4: Melt the Chocolate
Pour the milk chocolate chips and coconut oil (or shortening) into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until the chocolate is silky and completely melted. The oil makes the chocolate glossy and smooth, so dipping your hearts will be a breeze.
Step 5: Dip, Decorate, and Set
Working one at a time, dip each chilled heart into the melted chocolate, letting any excess drip off before placing it back on parchment. If you’re feeling festive, shower with sprinkles or drizzle with colored candy melts while the chocolate is still wet. Return the sheet to the refrigerator so everything sets up firmly—then your Reese’s Valentine’s Hearts are ready to steal the show!
How to Serve Reese’s Valentine’s Hearts
Garnishes
A little decoration can turn your batch of Reese’s Valentine’s Hearts into something truly memorable. Top with a handful of cheerful Valentine’s sprinkles, a fine drizzle of colored candy melts, or even a pinch of flaky sea salt for a sweet-and-salty twist. If you want to get playful, try stamping initials or cute messages into the chocolate before it sets!
Side Dishes
While these hearts definitely shine on their own, they also make a fabulous addition to a festive dessert spread. Set them out alongside bowls of fresh strawberries, homemade whipped cream, or crunchy pretzels for scooping up every last chocolatey crumb. For a romantic date night, serve with hot cocoa or a glass of bubbly for a pairing that feels straight out of a fancy chocolatier’s playbook.
Creative Ways to Present
Don’t underestimate the joy of giving (and receiving!) a charming homemade treat. Stack a handful of Reese’s Valentine’s Hearts in a small gift box lined with tissue, or slip a few into cellophane bags tied with ribbon for classroom or office gifting. On a dessert table, arrange them on a pretty cake stand or nestle them into cupcake liners for an extra touch of elegance—they look just as sweet as they taste.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
When stored in an airtight container in the fridge, Reese’s Valentine’s Hearts stay fresh and scrumptious for up to one week. If your kitchen is especially warm, it’s best to keep them chilled so the chocolate stays firm and the centers remain perfectly creamy.
Freezing
Have extra hearts or want to get ahead for a future celebration? These gems freeze beautifully for up to two months. Arrange them in a single layer between sheets of parchment in a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to enjoy, move them to the refrigerator to thaw gently overnight.
Reheating
These hearts are designed to be enjoyed straight from the fridge or at cool room temperature—no reheating needed! If you prefer a softer center, let your Reese’s Valentine’s Hearts sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving. Just be sure to keep them away from direct heat to avoid melting the chocolate shell.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter adds a fun bit of texture and makes the filling even more reminiscent of homemade. Just note that the finished hearts may have a slightly more rustic appearance, but the flavor is unbeatable.
Do I really need to use coconut oil or vegetable shortening in the chocolate?
The coconut oil or vegetable shortening helps thin the chocolate and gives it a gorgeous, glossy finish, making it easy to coat each heart. If you skip it, the chocolate may be a bit thicker and harder to work with but still delicious.
Can I make these without a heart-shaped cookie cutter?
No cookie cutter? No problem! You can use a knife to cut the dough into rectangles or circles, or shape it by hand for a rustic look. Your Reese’s Valentine’s Hearts will still taste incredible, whatever the shape.
How far in advance can I make Reese’s Valentine’s Hearts?
These make-ahead treats are perfect for planning ahead. You can prepare them several days in advance and keep them chilled in the refrigerator (or even freeze a batch), so dessert is always ready when you are.
What’s the best chocolate for dipping?
Milk chocolate chips give that classic flavor, but you can swap in semi-sweet, dark, or even white chocolate chips, depending on your preference. High-quality chocolate always makes a difference in the final taste of your Reese’s Valentine’s Hearts!
Final Thoughts
There’s something undeniably special about making homemade Reese’s Valentine’s Hearts—each one is a little love letter in candy form! Whether you gift them, share with family, or savor them yourself, these hearts promise to sweeten any occasion and bring a personal touch to your celebration. Give them a try, and let the homemade happiness begin!
Print
Reese’s Valentine’s Hearts Recipe
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 20 hearts
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These homemade Reese’s Valentine’s Hearts are a delightful treat for your loved ones. Creamy peanut butter filling covered in rich chocolate, these heart-shaped candies are perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Ingredients
For the Peanut Butter Filling:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar
For Coating and Decoration:
- 12 ounces milk chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening
- Festive sprinkles or colored candy melts for decoration (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Peanut Butter Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, softened butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, stirring until a dough forms.
- Shape the Hearts: Press the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, flatten, and chill. Cut out heart shapes with a cookie cutter. Freeze the hearts.
- Coat the Hearts: Melt chocolate chips with coconut oil. Dip each heart into the melted chocolate and decorate as desired. Refrigerate until firm.
Notes
- You can use crunchy peanut butter for added texture.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 heart
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
