Chocolate Peanut Butter Hearts

The kitchen counter was covered in chocolate splatters and my hands were sticky, but watching these hearts come together made the mess entirely worth it. I'd originally planned to make simple truffles, but something about the heart shape felt right for a rainy Sunday afternoon when comfort food was calling. There's something deeply satisfying about dipping peanut butter centers into warm melted chocolate, that moment where the two meet and suddenly you've created something that looks like it came from a fancy chocolatier.

Last Valentine's Day, I made three batches and accidentally discovered that these freeze beautifully for up to a month. My sister called them better than anything she'd ever bought, which coming from her chocolate snob standards felt like the ultimate compliment. Now they're my go to for bringing to dinner parties or packaging in cute boxes as homemade gifts that actually feel special.

Ingredients

• 200 g semi-sweet or dark chocolate, chopped: Quality chocolate makes a huge difference here since it's the main flavor component, and I've found that chopping bars melts more evenly than chips
• 1 tsp coconut oil: This optional addition creates that gorgeous glossy finish and makes the chocolate coating snappier when it sets
• 120 g creamy peanut butter: Room temperature peanut butter blends more smoothly with the butter and sugar
• 40 g unsalted butter, softened: The butter is what gives the filling that melt in your mouth texture instead of feeling like straight peanut butter
• 60 g powdered sugar: This sweetens the filling slightly while helping it firm up enough to hold its heart shape
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract: Pure vanilla extract adds that background warmth that rounds out all the flavors
• Pinch of salt: Don't skip this tiny amount it's what makes the chocolate and peanut butter sing together

Instructions

Prep your workspace:

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper before you start, as you'll need somewhere to place the hearts as you shape them

Make the filling:

In a mixing bowl, blend the peanut butter, softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until completely smooth and creamy

Shape the hearts:

Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and use your hands to gently shape into small hearts, placing each one on your prepared baking sheet

Chill the centers:

Freeze the peanut butter hearts for 30 minutes until they're firm to the touch, which makes dipping so much easier

Melt the chocolate:

Melt the chocolate and coconut oil in a heatproof bowl over simmering water or in the microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring frequently until completely smooth

Dip the hearts:

Using a fork or dipping tool, carefully dip each frozen heart into the melted chocolate, let excess drip off, and return to the parchment lined tray

Add finishing touches:

If you want, drizzle extra melted chocolate over the tops or sprinkle with flaky sea salt while the chocolate is still wet

Set the coating:

Chill the finished hearts in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes until the chocolate is completely firm

Store properly:

Keep the hearts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week

Save

My roommate walked in while I was dipping the last few hearts and immediately asked if she could help, which turned into us standing in the kitchen eating the slightly imperfect ones right off the fork. Those messy seconds tasted just as good as the pretty ones, maybe better because we were laughing and chocolate was everywhere. Some recipes are about precision, but this one is about joy in the making.

Getting That Perfect Heart Shape

I've learned that shaping these by hand gives them a lovely rustic charm, but if you want uniform hearts, a small silicone mold works beautifully. Just press the peanut butter mixture firmly into the cavities, freeze the entire mold, then pop them out before dipping. The key is working with chilled filling regardless of your method warm peanut butter spreads too much and loses its definition.

Chocolate Dipping Secrets

After many batches with too thick coatings, I discovered the ideal chocolate temperature is around 90°F it should feel slightly warm but not hot to the touch. If your chocolate starts getting too thick while dipping, gently reheat it for 10 seconds. Also, tapping your fork gently against the bowl edge helps excess chocolate drip off evenly without leaving thick puddles underneath your hearts.

Flavor Variations To Try

Once you master the classic version, these hearts are incredibly forgiving to experimentation. I've added crushed pretzels to the filling for saltiness, mixed in mini chocolate chips, and even spiked the peanut butter with a pinch of cinnamon. Each variation brings something new while keeping that essential chocolate peanut butter soul intact.

• Try adding 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt to the filling for a salted peanut butter version
• Mix 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder into the peanut butter filling for a double chocolate experience
• Roll the edges of dipped hearts in chopped peanuts, sprinkles, or crushed graham crackers while the chocolate is still wet

Save

These hearts have become my secret weapon for bringing something homemade to gatherings without spending all day in the kitchen. Sometimes the most loved recipes are the ones that come together simply but taste like they took forever.

Recipe FAQs

→ How do I shape the peanut butter mixture into hearts?

Scoop about a tablespoon of the creamy mixture and use your hands or a small heart-shaped mold to shape individual hearts before freezing.

→ Can I use different types of chocolate for coating?

Yes, semi-sweet, dark, milk, or white chocolate can be used depending on your preference for sweetness and richness.

→ What is the purpose of chilling the peanut butter hearts before coating?

Freezing the shaped hearts firms them up, making it easier to dip them into melted chocolate without losing their shape.

→ Are there vegan-friendly alternatives for the ingredients?

You can substitute dairy-free butter and use vegan chocolate to make the hearts suitable for a vegan diet.

→ How should these treats be stored after preparation?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain texture and freshness, best consumed within one week.

→ Can crunchy peanut butter be used instead of creamy?

Yes, crunchy peanut butter can add a pleasant texture contrast within the hearts if preferred.