Looking for ways to use your leftover Valentine’s Day candy? This warm chocolate peanut butter dip is the solution. With just a handful of pantry staples and minutes of prep, you can create a creamy and satisfying delight!
Surely you’ve tried apples and peanut butter but have you ever tried apples dipped in warm peanut butter? It’s quite the satisfying snack. So this Warm Chocolate Peanut Butter Dip is a riff on one of my favorite snacks. This easy recipe takes it to a new level – a bit more indulgent but not over the top.
I used chunky natural peanut butter because it’s what I had in the fridge. Nothing fancy or full of sugar – just peanuts and salt. Dark chocolate adds a deep complex flavor to the dip. I paired the dip with apples but bananas or pretzels would also be good.
BONUS: Use this dip as the filling for Vegan Chocolate Almond Butter Cups!
More ideas using leftover chocolate candies
Use these easy recipe ideas to deliciously repurpose holiday chocolates.
- Chocolate Chip Cookies: Swap chopped chocolate bars, peanut butter cups, or chocolate-covered pretzels for the baking chips in your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. The variety of chocolates will add interesting textures and flavors.
- Candy Bar Brownies: Roughly chop a mix of chocolate candies and fold them into your go-to brownie batter. You can also sprinkle some on top before baking for a gooey, decadent treat.
- Chocolate Bark: Melt down various types of chocolate (milk, dark, white) separately or together. Spread the melted chocolate onto parchment paper and then sprinkle with chopped candy pieces, nuts, pretzels, and/or dried fruit. Let it cool and break it into pieces.
- Candy Milkshakes: Blend chopped leftover chocolate bars or peanut butter cups with milk, ice cream, and other flavorings like cocoa powder or peanut butter for a creamy and delicious drink.
- Elevated Hot Chocolate: Melt leftover chocolate into your hot chocolate for an extra layer of richness and flavor. You can even add a swirl of warm caramel from melted caramel candies.
- Chocolate Fondue: Melt a variety of chocolate candies with a little cream for a fun and interactive dessert. Serve with fruit, marshmallows, pretzels, and cake cubes for dipping.
General Tips
- Sort Your Candy: Group similar types of candy together to make recipe planning easier.
- Consider Shelf Life: While most candy has a decent shelf life, be sure to check for any signs of spoilage (such as oil separation), especially for candies with fillings.
- Adjust Sweetness: Remember that your recipes will already be sweet due to the added candy, so you might want to reduce the amount of sugar you typically use in the base recipe.
- Get Creative! Don’t be afraid to experiment and combine different types of candy in your recipes.
Warm Chocolate Peanut Butter Dip
Ingredients
- ¼ c natural peanut butter
- ½ oz. chocolate about 4 chocolate kisses
- ¼ t vanilla extract
- ⅛ t cinnamon
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, whisk the peanut butter and chocolate together over low heat just until the chocolate melts.
- Remove the mixture from the heat. Stir in the vanilla and cinnamon.
- Serve warm with slices of apple, banana or pretzels for dipping.
Notes
- Check your chocolate. Most chocolates have a lengthy shelf life but check to make sure yours are still good before making the dip.
- Consider your candies. Because this recipe only has a few ingredients, they really matter. Higher quality chocolates will impart the best flavor – taking the dip from simply sweet to layered with notes of cocoa, spice or floral flavors.
Stella Reyes
I would love to refrigerate and jar this deliciousness and give as gifts with apples at Christmas time, which is now. What do you recommend?
Marisa Moore
That’s a great idea. Just be sure to let the dip cool completely before putting it into clean jars and refrigerating. You could add a little bow and tag with reheating instructions – just a 10-15 seconds at a time in the microwave, stirring and heating until warmed through.
Stella
You just saved my holiday also how long can I keep it refrigerated and can you double the batch
Sarah
Yum! Right up my alley
Emily @ Zen & Spice
MMM! PB + Chocolate is my all time fav combo 🙂
Deanna Segrave-Daly
Pinning right now to my PB&Chocolate Pinterest board 🙂
Marisa
Thanks, Deanna!
Alanna
Marisa, this is seriously mouth-watering! Love the simplicity of this recipe. I’m with ya on not being a chocolate lover, but something about that combination with the PB really does it for me!
Marisa
Thanks Alanna! Yes. There is something about the PB+Chocolate combo!
Abby
Ahhh this looks amazing! Pretzels would be incredible with this, along with fruit. Love.
Marisa
Yes… I had to hide the ones in my house! Sweet and salty perfection!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens
I love slathering apple slices with nut butter but, for some odd reason, I’ve just never thought to do it with chocolate! I bet they would be tasty, too. I would love to dip strawberries in this dip! Hope you’re having a great weekend 🙂
Marisa
Yes. Strawberries would be perfect!
Danielle Omar -- Food Confidence RD
Genius to make this from scratch — upgrades an apple to a decadent treat!
Marisa
It sure does! You can add as much chocolate as you want. Mine is a little peanut butter heavy 🙂
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious
Simple and delicious! Totally making this for an afternoon snack this week!
Marisa
It will be a perfect afternoon snack!
Rachael@AvocadoADayNutrition
I can’t believe you don’t like chocolate? Deleting your phone number now. Kidding…mostly! Love the simplicity of this recipe. The hubs is constantly grazing on spoonfuls of peanut butter and dark chocolate chips – not sure if I should share this recipe with him or hide it 🙂
Marisa
LOL… Share it!
Min
Haha yes I remember when you told me that you’re not a huge fan of chocolate, and I may have given you that look you’re describing. Sorry ;). But yes, those Lake Champlain chocolates were so so good! I’ve actually had pb + apples and chocolate dipped apples but never did I have the 3 together in one bite. Love the simplicity of this dip, Marisa!!
Marisa
Thanks, Min! I can see it being a bit addictive for chocolate lovers.
And you are forgiven 🙂
Farrah
I love how simple this is! <3 Sadly, I ate my last apple today and am currently snowed in, but I will find other things to dip this in! :]!
Marisa
Yikes on being snowed in! Hope you thaw out soon 🙂 Let me know what you use as a dipper!