Reese’s peanut butter sauce is a rich, chocolatey sauce made by The Hershey Company. It is marketed as an ice cream topping and dipping sauce for fruit and other treats. The sauce contains two of Hershey’s most iconic ingredients – chocolate and peanut butter.
History of Reese’s Peanut Butter Sauce
Reese’s peanut butter sauce was introduced by The Hershey Company in 2007. It was launched as part of a new line of Reese’s branded sauces and toppings. The other products in the line included Reese’s Shell Topping, Reese’s Squeezes, and Reese’s Crumbles.
The concept for a Reese’s peanut butter sauce was in development for over two years before its launch in 2007. According to Hershey’s, the goal was to create a sauce that truly captured the flavor profile and texture of Reese’s iconic peanut butter cups.
Hershey’s food scientists experimented with different formulas and production methods before landing on the right technique to make the sauce. The final product mirrors the soft, smooth peanut butter center found inside Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
Ingredients
The main ingredients in Reese’s peanut butter sauce are:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Peanut butter
- Cocoa processed with alkali
- Skim milk
- Palm oil
- Less than 2% of: Salt, mono and diglycerides, natural and artificial flavor, carrageenan, soy lecithin
The sauce contains no artificial colors or preservatives. The chocolatey flavor comes from both cocoa powder and milk chocolate. The result is a rich, dark chocolate taste combined with smooth, creamy peanut butter.
Nutritional Information
Reese’s peanut butter sauce is high in calories and fat. A 2 tablespoon serving contains:
| Calories | Total Fat | Saturated Fat | Trans Fat | Cholesterol | Sodium | Total Carbs | Dietary Fiber | Total Sugars | Added Sugars | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | 11g | 6g | 0g | 5mg | 105mg | 22g | 1g | 19g | 18g | 2g |
As you can see, the sauce is high in saturated fat from the palm oil and peanut butter. It also contains a significant amount of added sugar. The sauce packs in 200 calories and 18 grams of added sugar per serving.
Shelf Life and Storage
An unopened bottle of Reese’s peanut butter sauce will stay fresh for about 9 months when stored properly. Once opened, the sauce will keep for 4-6 weeks in the refrigerator. Make sure to seal the bottle tightly after each use.
For best quality, store unopened Reese’s peanut butter sauce in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid storing in areas that may get hot like near the oven or in a hot garage. Refrigerating before opening can extend the shelf life by a few months as well.
After opening, keep Reese’s peanut butter sauce in the refrigerator. Store with the lid tightly sealed and use within 4-6 weeks. Over time, separation may occur but the sauce can be stirred or warmed slightly to recombine.
Freezing Reese’s Peanut Butter Sauce
You can freeze Reese’s peanut butter sauce to extend its shelf life even further. Scoop into a freezer-safe container, leaving 1⁄2 inch of headspace at the top. Cover tightly and freeze for up to 6 months.
Thaw in the refrigerator before using. Let sit overnight or for at least 8 hours to thaw completely. Stir well before serving.
How to Use Reese’s Peanut Butter Sauce
Here are some of the most popular ways to use Reese’s delicious peanut butter sauce:
On Ice Cream
Drizzle Reese’s peanut butter sauce over vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream, or your favorite flavor. The contrast of hot fudge-like sauce and cold ice cream is delicious.
Fruit Dipping Sauce
Use as a dip for fresh fruit like strawberries, apple slices, bananas, pineapple, pear and melon. The sweet chocolate-peanut butter pairs wonderfully with the fresh fruit flavors.
Pancake and Waffle Topping
Transform breakfast by drizzling Reese’s peanut butter sauce over your pancakes, waffles or French toast. Add whipped cream for extra decadence.
Milkshakes
Add 2-3 tablespoons of Reese’s peanut butter sauce to milkshakes for a peanut butter cup inspired treat. It’s delicious in classic chocolate shakes as well as vanilla, strawberry or cookies & cream.
Dessert Topping
Take cakes, brownies, cookies and other desserts to the next level with a drizzle of Reese’s peanut butter sauce over the top. Let the sauce melt over warm brownies or cake for hot fudge sundae effect.
Sweet Crepes and Pancakes
Fill or top crepes and pancakes with sliced banana, strawberries or other fruit and a drizzle of Reese’s peanut butter sauce. Roll up crepes and top the stack with more of the irresistible sauce.
Yogurt Parfaits
Make easy parfaits by layering yogurt with fresh fruit, granola and a swirl of Reese’s peanut butter sauce for each layer. The sauce adds creamy texture and peanut butter flavor.
Fondue Dipping Sauce
For a fun twist on dessert fondue, warm up Reese’s peanut butter sauce and serve with bite-sized pieces of pound cake, brownies, marshmallows, bananas, strawberries and other treats for dipping.
Stuffed French Toast
Spread peanut butter sauce between slices of bread before dipping in egg and cooking French toast-style. The melted sauce becomes an ooey-gooey peanut butter filling.
Peanut Butter Lover’s PB&J
Use Reese’s peanut butter sauce instead of regular peanut butter to make next-level peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Drizzle extra sauce over the top for dunking.
S’mores
The ultimate s’mores hack – drizzle Reese’s peanut butter sauce over graham crackers, add roasted marshmallows and chocolate bars and enjoy the new campfire treat.
Snack Dipping
Dip apple slices, celery, graham crackers, pretzels, marshmallows or other favorite snacks into Reese’s peanut butter sauce.
Quesadillas
Spread peanut butter sauce over a tortilla, top with shredded cheese and another tortilla. Grill quesadilla-style until the cheese melts. Cut into wedges and enjoy with extra warmed sauce for dipping.
Stuffed Baked Apples
Fill cored, baked apples with Reese’s peanut butter sauce for a warm, delicious treat. Top with granola crumbles, whipped cream or ice cream.
Pretzel Rods
Dip or drizzle pretzel rods in Reese’s peanut butter sauce for hand-held sweet and salty treat.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
Stir a few tablespoons of sauce into hot chocolate for a peanut butter cup inspired drink. Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Where to Buy Reese’s Peanut Butter Sauce
Reese’s peanut butter sauce can be found in the ice cream and frozen desserts section of most major grocery stores in the U.S. Popular retailers that carry it include:
- Walmart
- Target
- Kroger
- Publix
- Safeway
- Albertsons
- HEB
- Sam’s Club
- Costco
The sauce is sold in squeezable plastic bottles, typically in a 10.5 or 11.75 ounce size. Some stores may carry multi-packs with 2 or 3 bottles.
Reese’s peanut butter sauce can also be found online at sites like Amazon, Walmart.com, Target.com, Jet.com and more. Buying online can be convenient if you have trouble finding it in stores near you.
Besides retail, Reese’s peanut butter sauce is available in large containers at some restaurants, cafes, self-serve frozen yogurt shops, ice cream parlors and coffee shops. For example, it’s often used as a topping option at Menchie’s, Yogurtland, Marble Slab Creamery and Pinkberry.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Sauce Recipes
While Reese’s peanut butter sauce is delicious on its own, you can also incorporate it into homemade treats. Here are some recipe ideas:
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Milkshake
Blend Reese’s peanut butter sauce, milk, vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup for an indulgent PB cup inspired shake.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Dip
Make a warm chocolaty peanut butter fruit fondue by melting Reese’s peanut butter sauce with butter or cream cheese. Dip away!
Reese’s Fluffernutter Sandwich
Spread peanut butter sauce and marshmallow fluff on bread for an over-the-top fluffernutter.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cupcakes
Fold Reese’s peanut butter sauce into cupcake batter before baking, then drizzle over finished cupcakes.
Peanut Butter Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae
Top brownies and ice cream with warmed Reese’s peanut butter sauce for the ultimate hot fudge and peanut butter dessert.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie
Stir peanut butter sauce into chocolate pudding and pour into a pie crust, then chill until set.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Popcorn
Drizzle popped popcorn with melted peanut butter sauce and chocolate for sweet and salty treat.
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
Add a few tablespoons of Reese’s peanut butter sauce to hot cocoa for a creamy, chocolate-peanut butter drink.
Is Reese’s Peanut Butter Sauce Gluten Free?
Yes, Reese’s peanut butter sauce is considered gluten free. It is produced in a facility that handles gluten, so there is a small chance of cross contamination. But the sauce itself does not contain any gluten ingredients.
Hershey’s states on their website that Reese’s peanut butter sauce follows all FDA guidelines for labeling gluten free food. People who are sensitive to gluten should be able to safely consume it.
Is Reese’s Peanut Butter Sauce Vegan or Dairy Free?
No, Reese’s peanut butter sauce is not vegan or dairy free. It contains milk derived ingredients, including skim milk, milkfat and milk chocolate. So it is unsuitable for people with milk/dairy allergies or following a strict vegan diet.
There are some vegan “reese’s style” peanut butter sauces on the market for people wanting a non-dairy alternative. Brands like Smuckers and Trader Joe’s make dairy free versions.
Is Reese’s Peanut Butter Sauce Keto-Friendly?
Reese’s peanut butter sauce is not keto-friendly, due to its high sugar content. There are 18g total carbs and 19g sugar in a 2 tablespoon serving. Even though it provides some healthy fats from the peanut butter, the added sugar makes it a poor choice for ketogenic diets.
Making a keto version at home is possible by using sugar-free sweeteners like stevia or erythritol and limiting other carbs. But the store-bought Reese’s sauce does not fit into a keto eating plan.
Conclusion
Reese’s peanut butter sauce is the perfect way to satisfy chocolate and peanut butter cravings. Drizzle it over ice cream, fruit, pancakes, desserts and more for a sweet treat anytime. Store-bought or homemade, this rich, chocolatey peanut butter sauce takes snacking and desserts to the next level of deliciousness.