These Reese’s stuffed cupcakes are a peanut butter lover’s dream: moist chocolate cupcakes with a Reese’s peanut butter cup baked inside and finished with chocolate or peanut butter frosting.
Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes
These peanut butter cup stuffed cupcakes hide a mini Reese’s inside each cupcake. Creamy peanut butter encased by rich chocolate cake and topped with frosting—an indulgent, easy dessert made with a simple shortcut.
If you love peanut butter cups and cupcakes, combining them is pure magic. Each bite delivers rich chocolate cake with a gooey peanut butter center—perfect for parties, bake sales, or an everyday treat.
This recipe keeps things quick by using a boxed cake mix and store-bought frosting, but you can substitute homemade cake and frosting if you prefer. Either way, the result is reliably delicious and simple to prepare.
We originally shared this recipe early on and it remains a favorite because it’s fast, forgiving, and crowd-pleasing.
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Ingredients
Short ingredient list—easy to shop and simple to assemble.
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients called for on the box: eggs, oil, water, etc.)
- 1 can chocolate or peanut butter frosting
- 12 mini Reese’s peanut butter cups (or full-size cups if preferred)
Kitchen supplies
- Muffin tin
- Cupcake liners
- Electric mixer or stand mixer and a large mixing bowl
- Optional: piping bag and decorative tip for fancier frosting
Tip: Substitute melted butter for the vegetable oil listed on the cake mix box for a richer, more homemade flavor.
Directions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the chocolate cake mix according to the package directions. Using a mixer, combine the ingredients until smooth.
- Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners. Fill each liner about halfway with batter.
- Place one mini Reese’s in the center of each cupcake and press it gently into the batter so the top of the candy sits below the batter surface.
- Divide the remaining batter evenly among the liners, covering each peanut butter cup. Bake according to the box instructions until a toothpick inserted into cake (not the candy) comes out clean.
- Remove cupcakes from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
To decorate
We spread chocolate frosting on these cupcakes and topped them with chopped peanut butter cups. You can use chocolate or peanut butter frosting—both are excellent. For a simple finish, use a knife to spread the frosting; for a professional look, pipe it with a pastry bag and star tip.
For an extra peanut-butter-forward treat, frost with peanut butter buttercream instead of chocolate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cake mix should I use?
We used Devil’s Food cake mix for an extra-rich, chocolatey flavor, but any chocolate cake mix will work. Choose your favorite brand or variety to suit your taste.
Can I use full-size peanut butter cups?
Yes. Full-size Reese’s also work well. The peanut butter may spread slightly during baking, but the cupcakes will still be delicious.
Can I bake these from scratch?
Absolutely. Boxed mix is a convenient shortcut, but you can use your favorite from-scratch chocolate cupcake recipe and homemade frosting if you prefer. The method of placing a peanut butter cup in the center remains the same.
The goal of this recipe is to be accessible to home bakers of all skill levels while still producing a decadent result—feel free to adapt and elevate as you like.
More favorite cupcake ideas
- Apple Pie Cupcakes
- Piñata Cupcakes
- S’mores Cupcakes
- PEEPS Bunny Cupcakes
- Pink Champagne Cupcakes
- Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes
- Mermaid Cupcakes
- Rudolph Cupcakes
- Jack Skellington Pull-Apart Cupcakes
- Red, White & Blue Swirl Cupcakes
Printable recipe (summary)
If you make these cupcakes, please rate the recipe—feedback is appreciated!
Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients on box)
- 1 can chocolate frosting (or peanut butter frosting)
- 12 mini Reese’s peanut butter cups (or full-size if preferred)
Instructions
- Prepare cake mix according to package directions and preheat oven.
- Fill each cupcake liner halfway with batter.
- Press one peanut butter cup into the center of each liner so it sits below the batter surface.
- Top with remaining batter so the candy is covered and bake per package directions.
- Cool completely, frost with chocolate or peanut butter frosting, and garnish with chopped peanut butter cups.
Notes
Nutrition values are approximate and will vary by ingredients and portions.
Pin our Reese’s Peanut Butter Cupcakes on Pinterest:
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies
