Chocolate Peanut Butter Valentine’s Heart Recipe

Valentine’s Day is all about love, and what better way to show your love than with a homemade, decadent treat? Chocolate Peanut Butter Valentine’s Hearts are the perfect sweet indulgence to express your affection. These hearts are made with a creamy, rich peanut butter filling that’s coated in smooth, velvety chocolate — a combination that’s beloved by so many.

Whether you’re looking to create a special treat for your significant other, friends, or family, these bite-sized, heart-shaped confections will surely make your Valentine’s Day extra sweet. Best of all, they are incredibly easy to make and don’t require any special baking skills. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a personalized, homemade gift that’s sure to impress.

Let’s break down this step-by-step recipe, tips, and variations to make your Chocolate Peanut Butter Valentine’s Hearts a smashing success!

Why You’ll Love Chocolate Peanut Butter Valentine’s Hearts

1. Decadent and Irresistible Flavor: The combination of creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate is a classic favorite. The slightly salty peanut butter pairs beautifully with the sweet chocolate, creating a flavor balance that’s incredibly satisfying.
2. Perfect for Valentine’s Day: The heart shape makes these treats extra special, creating a perfect gift for loved ones. They’re also great for sharing with friends, family, or as part of a Valentine’s Day celebration.
3. No-Bake Recipe: This is a no-bake recipe, which means you don’t need an oven! Simply mix, shape, chill, and dip. It’s quick, easy, and fun.
4. Customizable: You can get creative with the flavors and decorations, making these treats your own. Add sprinkles, nuts, or even a drizzle of extra chocolate to make them extra special.
5. Great for Gifting: These heart-shaped peanut butter chocolates are perfect for packaging up as a homemade Valentine’s Day gift. They’re sure to be a hit with anyone who loves chocolate and peanut butter.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Chocolate Peanut Butter Valentine’s Hearts

Step 1: Prepare the Peanut Butter Filling

Start by making the creamy peanut butter filling. This step is simple and involves just mixing a few ingredients together to create a smooth, sweet filling.

1. Combine Peanut Butter and Butter: In a large bowl, mix 1 cup of creamy peanut butter and 1 tablespoon of softened butter. Stir them together until well-combined. The butter helps create a smoother texture and adds a rich creaminess to the filling.
2. Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually sift in ¾ cup powdered sugar, stirring continuously. The powdered sugar gives the filling a smooth, sweet consistency. If you prefer your filling to be a bit firmer, you can add a little more powdered sugar, but be careful not to make it too dry.
3. Add Vanilla and Salt: Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for flavor, and a pinch of salt to enhance the sweetness and bring out the flavor of the peanut butter.
4. Mix Well: Once everything is combined, you should have a smooth, creamy peanut butter filling that holds together well. You can taste it at this point and adjust the sugar or salt if needed.

Step 2: Shape the Peanut Butter Filling into Hearts

Now that the peanut butter filling is ready, it’s time to shape it into heart shapes. You can either use a heart-shaped cookie cutter, small silicone molds, or simply form them by hand.

1. Chill the Filling: Since the peanut butter filling can be a bit soft, it’s a good idea to chill it in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes. This will make it firmer and easier to work with.
2. Shape the Hearts: Once the filling is firm enough, use your hands to form small, heart-shaped pieces of the peanut butter mixture. If you’re using a cookie cutter, roll out the filling between two sheets of parchment paper and then cut it into heart shapes. Aim for hearts that are about 1 ½ to 2 inches in size.
3. Place on a Tray: After shaping all of the hearts, place them on a tray or baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You should have enough to fill the tray comfortably without them touching each other.
4. Chill Again: Place the tray of peanut butter hearts in the refrigerator to chill for another 15-20 minutes, or until they are firm. This will make it easier to dip them in the chocolate coating.

Step 3: Prepare the Chocolate Coating

While the peanut butter hearts chill, it’s time to prepare the smooth chocolate coating that will cover the peanut butter centers.

1. Melt the Chocolate: Place 1 ½ cups of chocolate chips (semisweet or milk chocolate) in a heatproof bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil or vegetable oil to the chocolate. The oil helps the chocolate coat the hearts smoothly and gives it a shiny finish.
2. Heat the Chocolate: You can melt the chocolate using a double boiler (a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water) or by microwaving it in 20-30 second intervals, stirring after each interval to prevent overheating. Continue melting until the chocolate is completely smooth and silky.
3. Cool Slightly: Let the melted chocolate cool for a few minutes so it’s not too hot when you dip the peanut butter hearts. It should still be fluid, but not scalding.

Step 4: Coat the Peanut Butter Hearts in Chocolate

Now comes the fun part — dipping the peanut butter hearts in the melted chocolate!

1. Dip Each Heart: Using a fork or toothpick, carefully dip each peanut butter heart into the melted chocolate. Make sure it’s fully coated in chocolate. Tap the fork or toothpick gently on the edge of the bowl to remove any excess chocolate.
2. Place on a Tray: Place the coated hearts back on the parchment-lined tray. Be sure they are not touching so the chocolate doesn’t stick to each other.
3. Repeat: Continue dipping each heart until they are all coated in chocolate.
4. Chill Again: Once all of the hearts are coated, return the tray to the refrigerator and chill for 20-30 minutes, or until the chocolate is completely set.

Step 5: Add Final Touches and Decoration

Once the chocolate has set, it’s time to add any final touches to make your Chocolate Peanut Butter Valentine’s Hearts extra special.

1. Drizzle with White Chocolate: Melt a small amount of white chocolate and drizzle it over the set chocolate hearts. You can use a spoon or a piping bag for more precision.
2. Add Sprinkles or Glitter: While the white chocolate is still soft, add Valentine’s-themed sprinkles or edible glitter to the hearts. Red, pink, and white heart-shaped sprinkles are perfect for the occasion.
3. Top with Chopped Nuts: If you want some extra crunch, sprinkle crushed peanuts, almonds, or hazelnuts on top of the hearts while the chocolate is still soft.
4. Let Set: Once decorated, let the hearts sit at room temperature for a few minutes to allow the toppings to adhere. You can also refrigerate them again for a firmer set.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Once the chocolate has fully set and your Valentine’s hearts are beautifully decorated, they are ready to serve!

These Chocolate Peanut Butter Valentine’s Hearts are perfect for a sweet snack, as part of a Valentine’s Day dessert spread, or as a thoughtful homemade gift. Package them in cute boxes or bags to give as gifts to your friends, family, or loved ones. These homemade treats are bound to be a hit with anyone who loves chocolate and peanut butter!

Tips for Perfect Chocolate Peanut Butter Valentine’s Hearts

1. Use High-Quality Chocolate: The quality of chocolate makes a huge difference in the taste of these treats. Use the best quality chocolate you can find for the smoothest coating and richest flavor.
2. Let the Peanut Butter Filling Firm Up: Chilling the peanut butter filling before shaping it helps to keep it firm and prevents it from falling apart when dipped in chocolate.
3. Don’t Skip the Oil in the Chocolate: Adding oil to the chocolate helps it coat the hearts more smoothly and gives it a glossy finish. It also prevents the chocolate from cracking when set.
4. Let Each Layer Set Properly: Be sure to chill the hearts in the refrigerator after each step. This helps the peanut butter and chocolate layers set perfectly.
5. Experiment with Flavors: While peanut butter and chocolate are a classic combination, you can experiment with different fillings (like almond butter or hazelnut spread) or use flavored chocolate for variety.

Variations and Customizations

1. Vegan Version: To make this recipe vegan, use dairy-free chocolate chips and substitute the butter with a plant-based butter or coconut oil in the peanut butter filling.
2. Add Different Fillings: You can swap out the peanut butter for other nut butters like almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter for a different flavor.
3. Minty Chocolate Peanut Butter Hearts: Add a few drops of mint extract to the peanut butter filling for a refreshing mint-chocolate flavor that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day.
4. Add Crunch: Mix crispy rice cereal or crushed pretzels into the peanut butter filling for added texture and crunch.

Conclusion

These Chocolate Peanut Butter Valentine’s Hearts are the perfect sweet treat for showing your love on Valentine’s Day. They’re simple to make, wonderfully delicious, and can be customized to suit anyone’s tastes. Whether you’re gifting them to a loved one, sharing with friends, or enjoying them yourself, these treats are sure to make your Valentine’s Day extra special. With their creamy, rich filling and glossy chocolate coating, these heart-shaped confections are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

Yield: 15

Chocolate Peanut Butter Valentine’s Heart Recipe

Print

Valentine’s Day is all about love, and what better way to show your love than with a homemade, decadent treat? Chocolate Peanut Butter Valentine’s Hearts are the perfect sweet indulgence to express your affection. These hearts are made with a creamy, rich peanut butter filling that’s coated in smooth, velvety chocolate — a combination that’s beloved by so many.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (smooth or chunky, as preferred)
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups dark or milk chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate)
• 1 tbsp coconut oil (optional, helps make the chocolate smoother)
• Valentine’s Day-themed sprinkles or candy hearts (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the peanut butter filling:

• In a bowl, combine the peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and thick.
• If the mixture feels too soft to shape, you can refrigerate it for 10-15 minutes to firm it up before molding.

2. Shape the peanut butter hearts:

• Using your hands or a spoon, scoop out small amounts of the peanut butter mixture and roll them into balls. Then gently flatten them into heart shapes. If you have a heart-shaped mold, you can press the mixture into the mold.
• Place the formed hearts onto a parchment-lined tray or plate. Refrigerate them for about 10–15 minutes to firm up slightly.

3. Melt the chocolate:

• While the peanut butter hearts are chilling, melt the chocolate and coconut oil together. You can do this in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth and fully melted. Alternatively, melt the chocolate using a double boiler on the stovetop.

4. Coat the peanut butter hearts:

• Once the peanut butter hearts are firm, dip them into the melted chocolate, making sure they are fully coated. You can use a fork or toothpick to help dip them.
• Let the excess chocolate drip off, then place the chocolate-covered hearts back onto the parchment-lined tray.
• If desired, sprinkle Valentine’s sprinkles or candy hearts on top of each one for a festive touch.

5. Chill to set:

• Refrigerate the chocolate-covered peanut butter hearts for at least 30 minutes or until the chocolate has hardened and set completely.

6. Serve:

• Once set, these chocolate peanut butter hearts are ready to serve or gift! Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Notes

Customization: Feel free to mix in crushed pretzels or toffee bits into the peanut butter filling for added texture.

Vegan Option: Use dairy-free chocolate chips and substitute with a plant-based butter if needed.