Spring is here, and Easter is just around the corner! What better way to celebrate than with homemade peanut butter Easter eggs? These sweet treats are easy to make and perfect for sharing with friends and family. Whether you prefer classic flavors or adventurous combinations, we’ve got you covered with two delicious recipes to try. So gather your ingredients and let’s get started!
Classic Peanut Butter Easter Eggs Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 lb milk or dark chocolate, chopped
- 1 tbsp vegetable shortening
- Assorted sprinkles, for decorating
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, beat together the peanut butter and butter until creamy.
- Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and beat until the mixture comes together into a thick dough.
- Shape the dough into small Easter egg shapes and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for at least 30 minutes.
- Melt the chocolate and vegetable shortening in a double boiler or in the microwave, stirring until smooth.
- Dip each frozen peanut butter egg into the chocolate mixture, using a fork to lift it out and tap off any excess chocolate. Place it back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with your favorite toppings.
- Refrigerate the eggs until the chocolate is set, then package them in a box or bag and give them away as gifts or enjoy them yourself!
Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1 egg
Calories: 200
Total Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 10mg
Sodium: 60mg
Total Carbohydrates: 23g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 20g
Protein: 3g
Cooking Time:
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Double boiler or microwave
- Fork
Serving Suggestions:
These peanut butter Easter eggs make a great gift, but they’re also perfect for snacking on during your Easter celebrations. Serve them alongside other sweet treats like cupcakes, cookies, and candy.
Variations:
You can customize these peanut butter Easter eggs in a variety of ways. Try adding chopped nuts, coconut flakes, or mini chocolate chips to the peanut butter dough. You can also experiment with different types of chocolate, like white chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate. And feel free to get creative with your decorations – use different colors of sprinkles or drizzle melted chocolate in a contrasting color over the top.
Substitutions:
If you’re looking for a lower-sugar option, you can substitute the powdered sugar with a low-calorie sweetener like stevia or monk fruit. You can also use almond butter or sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter if you have a nut allergy.
Storage:
Store these peanut butter Easter eggs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. They can also be frozen for longer storage.
Tips:
- Make sure your peanut butter and butter are at room temperature before mixing them together.
- Freeze the peanut butter eggs before dipping them in chocolate – this will help the chocolate harden faster and prevent the peanut butter from melting.
- Use a fork to dip the eggs in chocolate, tapping off any excess chocolate before placing them back on the parchment paper.
- Experiment with different toppings and decorations to make these Easter eggs your own!
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use natural peanut butter instead of creamy peanut butter? Yes, but the texture and consistency of the dough may be different.
- Can I use white chocolate instead of milk or dark chocolate? Yes, feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate.
- Can I freeze these peanut butter Easter eggs? Yes, they can be frozen for longer storage.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Easter Eggs Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup mini Reese’s Pieces
- 1 lb milk or dark chocolate, chopped
- 1 tbsp vegetable shortening
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, beat together the peanut butter and butter until creamy.
- Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and beat until the mixture comes together into a thick dough.
- Stir in the mini Reese’s Pieces.
- Shape the dough into small Easter egg shapes and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for at least 30 minutes.
- Melt the chocolate and vegetable shortening in a double boiler or in the microwave, stirring until smooth.
- Dip each frozen peanut butter egg into the chocolate mixture, using a fork to lift it out and tap off any excess chocolate. Place it back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Top each egg with a few additional mini Reese’s Pieces, then refrigerate until the chocolate is set.
- Package the eggs in a box or bag and share with friends and family, or enjoy them yourself!
Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1 egg
Calories: 250
Total Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 10mg
Sodium: 70mg
Total Carbohydrates: 28g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 24g
Protein: 4g
Cooking Time:
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Double boiler or microwave
- Fork
Serving Suggestions:
These Reese’s-inspired peanut butter Easter eggs are perfect for sharing with candy-loving friends and family. Serve them alongside other Easter treats like jelly beans and colorful marshmallow Peeps.
Variations:
You can experiment with different flavors of mini candy pieces to add to the peanut butter dough. Try using mini M&Ms, chopped Snickers bars, or even crushed Oreos. And if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can try adding a small amount of bacon bits or sea salt to the dough for a sweet-and-savory twist.
Substitutions:
If you’re not a fan of Reese’s Pieces, you can substitute them with chopped peanuts or a different type of candy. And as with the classic recipe, you can use a different type of nut butter or sweetener if you have dietary restrictions.
Storage:
Store these peanut butter Easter eggs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. They can also be frozen for longer storage.
Tips:
- Make sure your peanut butter and butter are at room temperature before mixing them together.
- Freeze the peanut butter eggs before dipping them in chocolate – this will help the chocolate harden faster and prevent the peanut butter from melting.
- Use a fork to dip the eggs in chocolate, tapping off any excess chocolate before placing them back on the parchment paper.
- Experiment with different candy toppings and decorations to make these Easter eggs your own!
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use a different type of candy instead of Reese’s Pieces? Yes, feel free to experiment