Giant Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup

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Brace yourself, peanut butter lovers—this Giant Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup is about to take your dessert game to the next level. Imagine a buttery chocolate cookie crust, a luscious peanut butter mousse filling, and silky layers of chocolate ganache topped with bite-sized Reese’s cups and butterscotch chips. Every bite delivers a perfect balance of sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy. It’s the ultimate no-bake treat that brings all the nostalgic flavors of a Reese’s cup, supersized.

This dessert is a guaranteed showstopper for any celebration, holiday, or potluck. It’s as fun to make as it is to eat, and the presentation alone is enough to impress guests before they even get a taste. Whether you’re craving a rich and indulgent sweet or need a creative twist on a classic candy favorite, this recipe delivers on both wow factor and flavor.

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Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

To make this Giant Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, you’ll want the following tools at your side:

• 9-inch tart pan or springform pan: This gives the dessert its iconic shape and makes removing it from the pan super easy.
• Food processor: Perfect for grinding up cookies into a fine, pressable crust. If you don’t have one, a zip-top bag and rolling pin will do the trick.
• Electric hand mixer or stand mixer: Essential for achieving the creamy, fluffy peanut butter filling.
• Microwave-safe bowls: Handy for melting chocolate and heating peanut butter with minimal cleanup.
• Offset spatula or the back of a spoon: Helps evenly spread each layer for that clean, polished look.

Each of these tools plays a key role in building up the layers and keeping the texture smooth and professional-looking. The good news? No oven required, so it’s a breeze for anyone, even beginner bakers!

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Ingredients for the Giant Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup

• Chocolate sandwich cookies: These form the base crust and give the dessert its rich, chocolatey bite.
• Unsalted butter: Melted to bind the cookie crumbs together and provide structure to the crust.
• Creamy peanut butter: The heart of the filling, delivering the iconic Reese’s flavor we all crave.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens the filling while maintaining a smooth, fluffy texture.
• Cream cheese: Adds tang and richness, balancing the sweetness of the peanut butter.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor and gives the filling a bakery-style aroma.
• Whipped topping (like Cool Whip): Lightens up the filling to make it mousse-like and airy.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Used for the ganache layer that adds a rich chocolate punch.
• Heavy cream: Mixed with chocolate to make a glossy, spreadable ganache.
• Mini Reese’s cups & butterscotch chips: The show-stopping toppings that give this dessert its irresistible look and extra indulgence.

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How To Make the Giant Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup

Step 1: Create the Crust

Pulse chocolate sandwich cookies in a food processor until finely ground. Mix in melted butter and stir until the crumbs resemble wet sand. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a tart or springform pan. Chill in the fridge to set.

Step 2: Whip the Peanut Butter Filling

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and peanut butter until smooth and creamy. Add in powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until combined. Fold in the whipped topping gently until no streaks remain. Spread the mixture over the chilled crust and smooth the top. Return to the fridge.

Step 3: Make the Ganache Layer

In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the heavy cream until hot but not boiling. Pour it over the chocolate chips and let it sit for a minute, then stir until smooth. Allow it to cool slightly before spreading it over the peanut butter layer.

Step 4: Decorate Generously

While the ganache is still soft, top with halved mini Reese’s cups and a sprinkle of butterscotch chips. Lightly press them into the ganache so they stay in place. Chill the entire dessert until fully set—about 2 hours or overnight for best results.

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How to Serve and Store the Giant Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup

Once fully set, remove the peanut butter cup from the pan carefully and place it on a serving plate. Use a sharp knife dipped in warm water for clean slices—this helps glide through the ganache and creamy filling without sticking.

This dessert is best served chilled and enjoyed in thin slices due to its rich and indulgent nature. It pairs perfectly with a glass of cold milk, hot coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra decadence.

To store, cover the dessert tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. It keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze individual slices wrapped in parchment and stored in a freezer bag for up to 1 month—just thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What type of peanut butter works best?

Creamy peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) works best for a smooth, spreadable filling. Natural peanut butters can be too oily or gritty and may affect the texture.

Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of whipped topping?

Yes! Just make sure to whip it to stiff peaks and use the same volume. Keep in mind that homemade whipped cream may not be as stable for longer storage.

Do I need a tart pan or can I use something else?

A springform pan is a great alternative if you don’t have a tart pan. You can also use a pie dish, but it might be harder to get clean slices or release it easily.

How long does it take to set in the fridge?

The dessert needs at least 2 hours to chill and set properly, but overnight is ideal for best firmness and flavor development.

Can I make this dessert ahead of time?

Absolutely! This is a perfect make-ahead dessert. Make it a day in advance and store it in the fridge until ready to serve.

Is it gluten-free?

If you use gluten-free chocolate sandwich cookies for the crust, then yes, it can be made gluten-free with no problem.

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Want More Dessert Ideas with a Twist?

If you love this Giant Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, you’ll probably enjoy these other decadent creations from Life With Olivia:

• Strawberry Crunch Pound Cake for a fruity, nostalgic flavor.
• Peanut Butter Texas Sheet Cake when you want a rich, crowd-pleasing classic.
• Easy Texas Turtle Sheet Cake filled with caramel, pecans, and fudgy goodness.
• Brownie Mix Cookies for a quick and chewy chocolate fix.
• Paula Deen’s 5-Minute Fudge when you’re short on time but still want to impress.

And for even more creative dessert ideas, don’t forget to follow along on my Pinterest board where I share recipes daily: Life With Olivia on Pinterest

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Save This Recipe for Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you go wild with toppings? Maybe a drizzle of caramel or crushed pretzels?

I’d love to see how you made it your own. Have a question or a twist in mind? Drop it below—we’re all about sharing the sweet inspiration!

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