These peanut butter Reese’s donut sandwiches are an over-the-top sweet treat made with soft donuts, creamy peanut butter filling, chocolate, and chopped peanut butter cups. Each sandwich has a tender center, a rich chocolate dip, and just enough salt to keep the dessert from tasting flat. They are easy to assemble with store-bought donuts, so there is no frying or yeast dough required.
Make them for a birthday, movie night, bake sale, or dessert board. Use glazed cake donuts for a sturdy sandwich, or choose yeast donuts when you want an extra-soft bite. Assemble them shortly before serving so the chocolate stays glossy and the donuts remain tender.
Why You’ll Love These Peanut Butter Reese’s Donut Sandwiches
- Fast assembly: Store-bought donuts turn into a party dessert in minutes.
- Classic flavor: Peanut butter and chocolate are familiar, rich, and crowd pleasing.
- Fun presentation: The sandwich shape makes each serving feel like a special treat.
- Easy to customize: Use mini cups, chocolate chips, pretzels, or caramel.
- Perfect for sharing: Cut large donuts in half or make mini versions for a dessert tray.
Ingredients
- 6 plain or glazed cake donuts
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons softened unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or shortening
- 6 full-size peanut butter cups, chopped
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
- Flaky salt, optional
Choosing the Donuts
Cake donuts are sturdy and easy to fill, while yeast donuts create a softer, more bakery-style sandwich. Avoid very delicate filled donuts because they can split when pressed. If using glazed donuts, chill them for 10 minutes before cutting so the glaze stays neat.
How to Make Peanut Butter Reese’s Donut Sandwiches
- Make the filling. Beat peanut butter, powdered sugar, softened butter, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy. If it feels too soft, chill it for 15 minutes.
- Prepare the donuts. Use a serrated knife to cut each donut horizontally through the center. Keep the top and bottom paired.
- Melt the chocolate. Combine chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth.
- Dip the tops. Dip the cut side or top of each donut into the chocolate. Let excess drip back into the bowl.
- Add toppings. Sprinkle chopped peanut butter cups and peanuts over the chocolate while it is still wet. Add a tiny pinch of flaky salt if desired.
- Fill the sandwiches. Spread or pipe peanut butter filling onto the bottom half of each donut. Use about 2 tablespoons per sandwich.
- Assemble. Place the chocolate-topped half over the filling and press gently. Do not squeeze too hard or the filling will spill out.
- Set briefly. Refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes, until the chocolate firms slightly.
- Serve. Bring the sandwiches to room temperature for a few minutes before eating.
Tips and Variations
- Use smooth peanut butter: Natural peanut butter can separate and make the filling loose unless stirred very well.
- Pipe the filling: A piping bag makes an even, bakery-style layer.
- Add caramel: Drizzle a little caramel over the filling before adding the top.
- Make a pretzel version: Add crushed pretzels for salty crunch.
- Use white chocolate: Dip the tops in white chocolate and add mini candies.
- Try mini donuts: Use 12 mini donuts for bite-size sandwiches.
- Add banana: Place a thin banana slice inside just before serving.
- Make them nut-free: Use sunflower seed butter and nut-free chocolate candies.
For another special breakfast treat, try these pillowy buttermilk beignets. blueberry fritters are fruit-filled and crisp, while coffee cream-filled donuts offer a rich bakery-style alternative.
Storage and Serving
Store assembled sandwiches in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving. Keep the chocolate topping away from moisture and avoid stacking the sandwiches until the coating is firm.
If serving guests with peanut or other allergies, label the dessert clearly, use separate utensils, and review the FDA’s food-allergy guidance. For a nut-free batch, use sunflower seed butter and verify all candy labels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make Irresistible Peanut Butter Reese’s Donut Sandwiches?
Cut donuts in half, fill them with sweetened peanut butter cream, dip the tops in chocolate, and finish with chopped peanut butter cups and peanuts.
Can I use homemade donuts?
Yes. Fully cooled cake or yeast donuts work well. Choose a sturdy shape and let them cool completely before cutting and filling.
How do I keep the filling from spilling?
Chill the filling briefly, pipe a ring rather than a mound, and press the top half gently into place. Do not overfill.
Can I make these ahead?
Assemble them up to one day ahead and refrigerate them. Add delicate toppings just before serving if you want the best texture.
What can replace peanut butter?
Sunflower seed butter, cookie butter, or almond butter can work. Check labels carefully if serving guests with allergies.
Serving Ideas
Arrange the sandwiches on a cake stand with extra chopped cups and peanuts scattered around the base. Cut them in half for a dessert board, or use mini donuts for a party where guests want small bites. A glass of cold milk, coffee, or unsweetened tea balances the sweetness.
Getting the Filling Just Right
The filling should be thick enough to hold its shape but soft enough to spread. If your peanut butter is runny, add powdered sugar one tablespoon at a time. If it is too stiff, add a teaspoon of cream or milk. Chill the mixture briefly before piping so it stays in a neat layer inside the donut.
Use a star tip for ridged edges or a plain round tip for a smooth sandwich. Pipe a circle around the edge and fill the center lightly rather than creating a tall mound. This gives the chocolate topping somewhere to settle without pushing the filling out.
Working with the Chocolate
Chocolate burns easily, so use short microwave intervals and stir often. If it becomes thick, add another teaspoon of coconut oil. Let the dipped tops rest on parchment until the surface is set. Chopped cups should go on while the chocolate is wet; if it firms too quickly, press the pieces gently into place.
Party Planning
Make the filling and chop the toppings in advance, then assemble the sandwiches a few hours before the party. Keep them chilled in a single layer and let them stand briefly before serving. For a dessert table, offer half sandwiches so guests can sample them alongside fruit and lighter treats.
Flavor Variations
Add cinnamon to the filling for a warm note, espresso powder to the chocolate for depth, or freeze-dried strawberries over the top for color. A thin banana slice inside the sandwich makes the peanut butter taste like a classic lunchbox treat.
For a clean presentation, set each sandwich on a small square of parchment. This keeps the chocolate from sticking to the serving tray and makes the rich treats easier for guests to pick up. Add a tiny pinch of flaky salt if you like a sweet-and-salty finish.
Keep the donuts chilled only until the chocolate sets; a short rest at room temperature gives the filling its softest texture.
