Chocolate Peanut Butter Hearts Recipe

The Perfect Chocolate Peanut Butter Hearts Recipe for Valentine’s

Sweet moments deserve decadent treats, and these chocolate peanut butter hearts will steal every chocolate lover’s heart.

Melting rich dark chocolate with creamy peanut butter creates an irresistible combination that sparks joy.

Every bite promises pure indulgence with minimal effort.

These homemade delights blend smooth chocolate and nutty peanut butter into perfectly shaped hearts.

You’ll love how simple ingredients transform into elegant desserts that look professionally crafted.

The recipe delivers a delightful balance of sweet and salty flavors that dance on your palate.

Prepare to impress your loved ones with these delectable chocolate peanut butter hearts that promise to become an instant favorite.

Easy Homemade Chocolate Peanut Hearts Highlights

  • Craft Personalized Sweet Treats: Design adorable heart-shaped chocolates that showcase your creativity and love for homemade desserts.
  • Minimal Kitchen Skills Required: Perfect for beginners with straightforward steps, minimal equipment, and simple ingredients anyone can master.
  • Quick Weekend Baking Project: Whip up delightful chocolate peanut hearts in under an hour, making it an ideal spontaneous cooking adventure for families or friends.
  • Customizable Chocolate Delights: Experiment with different chocolate coatings, decorative drizzles, and heart sizes to match your personal style and taste preferences.

Ingredients for Chocolate Peanut Hearts

Main Ingredients:

Peanut Butter Base:
  • Unsalted Butter: A creamy ingredient that helps create a smooth and rich texture for the peanut butter mixture.
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps bind the peanut butter mixture together.
  • Creamy Peanut Butter: The core flavor component that gives these hearts their signature taste.
  • Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a firm, moldable dough consistency.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the peanut butter mixture.
Coating and Decoration:
  • Chocolate Melts: Provides a smooth, glossy chocolate coating for the peanut butter hearts.
Additional Components:
  • Parchment Paper: Helps with rolling, cutting, and preventing sticking during the preparation process.
  • Heart-Shaped Cookie Cutter: Used to create the distinctive heart shape of the candy.

Creating Chocolate Peanut Hearts at Home

Step 1: Create Creamy Peanut Base

Grab your stand mixer and whip together butter, sugar, and peanut butter until the mixture becomes light and super fluffy.

This should take around two minutes of mixing to get that perfect soft texture.

Step 2: Transform Into Dough

Add these ingredients to your mixer:
  • Salt
  • Vanilla extract
  • Powdered sugar

Mix on low speed for about 30 seconds, then boost to high speed for another 30 seconds.

Your mixture will transform into a delightful dough-like consistency.

Step 3: Flatten Delicious Mixture

Place the dough between two parchment paper sheets.

Roll it out to your preferred thickness – either 1/2 or 1/4 inch works great.

Step 4: Initial Chilling Session

Transfer the rolled dough (still between parchment) onto a cookie sheet.

Pop it into the freezer for 30 minutes until the dough becomes completely firm.

Step 5: Shape Adorable Hearts

Pull out the chilled dough, remove the top parchment, and use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to create cute heart shapes.

Move these hearts to a fresh parchment-lined sheet.

Collect and refreeze any remaining dough scraps to cut more hearts.

Step 6: Second Freezing Round

Return the heart shapes to the freezer for another 30 minutes.

They should be nearly frozen solid.

Step 7: Melt Chocolate Coating

Microwave chocolate melts for one minute.

Stir thoroughly, then heat for another 30 seconds.

Continue stirring until the chocolate becomes silky smooth.

Step 8: Chocolate Dipping Adventure

Working with 2-3 hearts at a time, dunk the frozen hearts into melted chocolate.

Gently tap off excess chocolate and place each heart on parchment paper.

Step 9: Add Decorative Drizzles

Transfer remaining melted chocolate into a drip bottle or piping bag.

Create beautiful zigzag patterns across the chocolate-covered hearts for an extra special touch.

Tips for Homemade Chocolate Peanut Hearts

  • Use room temperature butter and peanut butter for smoother, faster mixing without lumps.
  • Add powdered sugar gradually to control moisture and achieve the right consistency for easy shaping.
  • Chilling dough helps maintain crisp heart shapes and prevents sticking when using cookie cutters.
  • Keep chocolate hearts frozen solid to ensure clean, smooth chocolate coating without breaking.
  • Let chocolate cool slightly before drizzling to create neat, controlled decorative lines on the hearts.

Fun Flavors for Chocolate Peanut Hearts

  • Gluten-Free Hearts: Replace powdered sugar with coconut sugar and use gluten-free vanilla extract for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Vegan Chocolate Peanut Hearts: Swap butter with coconut oil, use dairy-free chocolate chips, and substitute peanut butter with almond butter for plant-based lovers.
  • Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of regular sugar and dark chocolate with higher cocoa content to reduce overall sugar levels.
  • Nutty Alternative: Replace peanut butter with sunflower seed butter for those with nut allergies, maintaining similar creamy texture and rich flavor.

Ways to Serve Chocolate Peanut Hearts

  • Sweet Valentine's Day Display: Arrange chocolate peanut hearts on a romantic heart-shaped platter with fresh strawberries scattered around for extra elegance.
  • Gifting Gourmet Treat: Package individual hearts in clear cellophane bags tied with red ribbons, perfect for thoughtful homemade presents to friends and loved ones.
  • Dessert Platter Centerpiece: Create a stunning chocolate peanut heart collection on a marble board with edible gold sprinkles and a small jar of extra melted chocolate for dipping.
  • Afternoon Tea Companion: Serve these delicate hearts alongside hot coffee or tea, creating a delightful sweet moment during casual gatherings or intimate conversations.

Storing Chocolate Peanut Hearts Fresh

  • Store chocolate peanut hearts in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 10 days. The cool temperature preserves their texture and prevents chocolate from melting.
  • Wrap individual hearts in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen hearts maintain perfect quality for 2-3 months without losing flavor or texture.
  • Keep hearts at cool room temperature for 2-3 days if serving soon. Avoid direct sunlight or warm spaces that might cause chocolate to soften.
  • Place parchment paper between heart layers when storing to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate decorative details.

FAQs

  • What ingredients do I need for the peanut butter mixture?

You’ll need butter, sugar, and peanut butter. Whip these together in a stand mixer with a paddle attachment until light and fluffy for about 2 minutes.

  • How thick should I roll out the dough?

Roll the dough between parchment paper to either 1/2 or 1/4 inch thick, depending on your preference for heart thickness.

  • Can I reuse the dough scraps?

Yes, absolutely! After cutting out the heart shapes, collect the scraps, refreeze them, and repeat the rolling and cutting process to maximize your dough usage.

Print
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Hearts Recipe

Chocolate Peanut Butter Hearts Recipe


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4.8 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Romantic chocolate peanut butter hearts melt hearts with their irresistible blend of silky chocolate and creamy peanut butter. Sweet indulgence promises pure bliss for dessert enthusiasts seeking a delightful homemade treat you’ll adore.


Ingredients

Scale

Peanut Butter Filling:

  • 2 cups creamy peanut butter (Skippy brand recommended)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature for 10 minutes
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Chocolate Coating:

  • 68 cups Ghirardelli Melting Chocolate

Instructions

  1. In a stand mixer, cream together butter, sugar, and peanut butter until the mixture becomes airy and voluminous, approximately 2 minutes.
  2. Incorporate salt, vanilla, and powdered sugar, mixing initially on low speed for 30 seconds, then whipping on high speed to develop a cohesive, moldable consistency.
  3. Position dough between parchment sheets and gently roll to achieve a uniform thickness of 1/2 or 1/4 inch, depending on desired texture.
  4. Transfer parchment-enclosed dough to a cookie sheet and chill in freezer for 30 minutes until thoroughly firm.
  5. Carefully remove top parchment layer, use heart-shaped cookie cutter to extract precise shapes, and relocate to a fresh parchment-lined sheet. Refreeze remaining dough scraps and repeat cutting process.
  6. Return heart-shaped pieces to freezer for an additional 30-minute interval to ensure optimal temperature.
  7. Melt chocolate in microwave, heating for 1 minute, stirring, then applying 30-second intervals while mixing until achieving a smooth, glossy texture.
  8. Submerge frozen hearts in chocolate in small clusters of 2-3, gently tapping to remove excess coating, then delicately place on parchment paper.
  9. Transfer remaining melted chocolate to a drizzling tool or piping bag and artfully embellish the chocolate-coated hearts with decorative lines.

Notes

  • Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for seamless mixing and a silky-smooth peanut butter base.
  • Use a light dusting of powdered sugar on the rolling pin and work surface to keep the dough from clinging and tearing.
  • Thinner hearts create a delicate, crisp texture, while thicker ones provide a more substantial, creamy bite.
  • Work quickly when dipping to keep hearts frozen and prevent melting, maintaining clean chocolate edges and a professional finish.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Rolling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 14 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg
Lena Martinez

Lena Martinez

Contributing Writer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southwestern and Latin American cuisines, Vegetarian and plant-based recipe development, Culinary education and community outreach ​

Education

Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Emphasized Southwestern cuisine and sustainable cooking practices


Lena grew up surrounded by the colors, spices, and traditions of the Southwest – flavors that sparked her love for bold, honest cooking. After earning her Culinary Arts certificate at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to teach home cooks how to create flavorful, plant-powered meals without the fuss.
Her recipes are packed with vibrant ingredients, simple steps, and the kind of heart that turns a regular meal into something you’ll want to share. Outside the kitchen, Lena spends her time wandering farmers’ markets, trading family recipes, and helping young chefs find their voice through food.

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