Is Reese's Made With Milk Chocolate? The Definitive Answer

December 31, 2025 •

2 min read

The classic Reese's Peanut Butter Cup is famously known for its delicious combination of peanut butter and chocolate, but many wonder about the chocolate itself. Yes, the standard Reese's is indeed made with milk chocolate, a key component in its iconic flavor and texture.

Quick Summary

The original Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are made with a specific blend of milk chocolate, though the brand offers other chocolate and peanut butter products. The chocolate is a Hershey's milk chocolate variant, optimized to complement the distinct flavor of the peanut butter filling.

Key Points

Original Recipe: The original Reese's Peanut Butter Cup is explicitly made with milk chocolate.
Proprietary Blend: The chocolate is a specific Hershey's milk chocolate blend, distinct from their regular chocolate bars.
Variations Exist: Reese's offers dark chocolate, white crème, and plant-based versions to accommodate different tastes and dietary needs.
Not All Products Contain Chocolate: Products like Reese's Pieces do not contain any chocolate, only a peanut butter filling inside a candy shell.
Flavor Harmony: The milk chocolate formula is designed to balance perfectly with the salty-sweet peanut butter, rather than overwhelming it.
Company History: The Hershey Company acquired the H.B. Reese Candy Company in 1963, integrating the popular cup into their product line.

Unpacking the Ingredients: A Look at Reese's Milk Chocolate

The classic Reese's Peanut Butter Cup features a creamy milk chocolate shell designed to perfectly complement the peanut butter filling. The ingredients list for the milk chocolate includes sugar, milk, cocoa butter, and chocolate, among others. Ingredients like nonfat milk, milk fat, and lactose contribute to its creamy texture, while soy lecithin and PGPR are used as emulsifiers for smoothness.

The Purpose Behind Reese's Unique Milk Chocolate Blend

The milk chocolate used in Reese's cups is a proprietary Hershey's blend that differs from their standard chocolate bars. Some suggest it has a slightly coarser texture and lower cocoa butter content, which aids in manufacturing efficiency. This specific formulation provides a balanced sweetness that enhances, rather than overwhelms, the peanut butter flavor, maintaining the treat's distinctive taste profile.

Reese's Variations: Beyond Just Milk Chocolate

While the original milk chocolate cup is a staple, Reese's offers a variety of products with different chocolate and coating types to suit diverse preferences.

Common Reese's variations include:

Dark Chocolate Reese's Peanut Butter Cups: For a more intense cocoa taste.
White Crème Reese's Peanut Butter Cups: Featuring a sweet white crème coating instead of chocolate.
Reese's Plant-Based Oat Chocolate: A vegan option using an oat chocolate confection.
Seasonal and Limited-Edition Shapes: Often use the original milk chocolate but vary in shape and size.

A Comparison of Popular Reese's Products

The table below highlights the differences between popular Reese's products:


Product	Chocolate/Coating Type	Key Features	Allergic Considerations	Flavor Profile
Original Peanut Butter Cup	Milk Chocolate	Classic, creamy peanut butter center	Contains: Milk, Soy, Peanuts	Salty-sweet, balanced
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup	Dark Chocolate	Higher cocoa content	Contains: Milk, Soy, Peanuts	Rich, slightly bitter, less sweet
White Crème Peanut Butter Cup	White Crème	Cocoa-free, sweet, and creamy coating	Contains: Milk, Soy, Peanuts	Sweet, vanilla-like, buttery
Plant-Based Peanut Butter Cup	Oat Chocolate Confection	Vegan, dairy-free	Contains: Soy, Peanuts	Creamy, nutty, plant-based
Reese's Pieces	No Chocolate	Candy-coated peanut butter core	Contains: Milk, Soy, Peanuts	Crunchy, purely peanut butter flavor

The History Behind the Iconic Pairing

Founded by H.B. Reese, a former Hershey's employee, in 1928, the H.B. Reese Candy Company became known for its peanut butter cups. The combination of peanut butter and a Hershey's milk chocolate shell proved popular and affordable. In 1963, The Hershey Company acquired Reese's, expanding its distribution and solidifying the brand's place in the candy market.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the classic Reese's Peanut Butter Cup is made with a specific blend of milk chocolate formulated by Hershey's. The brand has expanded to offer various options, including dark chocolate, white crème, and plant-based versions to cater to different tastes and dietary needs. Products like Reese's Pieces do not contain any chocolate. While the original features milk chocolate, Reese's provides a range of choices for fans of the peanut butter and chocolate combination. For more information, you can visit the Hersheyland website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Reese's offers Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups as a variant of their classic product for those who prefer a richer, more intense chocolate flavor.

Yes, Reese's has a plant-based version called Reese's Plant-Based Oat Chocolate Confection & Peanut Butter Candy Bars, which uses oat chocolate instead of dairy milk chocolate.

No, Reese's Pieces do not contain milk chocolate or any chocolate at all. They are a candy-coated peanut butter product.

While the original Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are often considered gluten-free, it is always recommended to check the specific product's packaging for certified gluten-free labeling, as formulations can vary.

Reese's uses a proprietary milk chocolate blend from The Hershey Company that includes sugar, nonfat milk, milk fat, and cocoa butter, and is specifically formulated to be balanced with the peanut butter filling.

Yes, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are available in a variety of sizes, from snack-size to jumbo cups, as well as seasonal shapes like pumpkins and eggs.

Yes, Reese's also offers a White Crème Peanut Butter Cup, which features the classic peanut butter filling surrounded by a sweet, white crème coating.