I had one of those restless Saturday mornings when everything felt a bit too quiet. My old recipe binder sat half-open on the counter, its worn edges reminding me of weekend experiments long before food blogging was even a thing. My grandson had just left a few Reese’s wrappers on the table after sneaking a few from the pantry, and that was all the spark I needed.
Donuts, peanut butter, and a fridge full of cream cheese—it suddenly made perfect sense. I remembered a time when my students used to ask what “brain food” really meant, and I’d jokingly say, “Anything with peanut butter.” Well, this one might not make you smarter, but it’ll sure make you happier. I rolled up my sleeves, tied my old apron (the one with the faded apple embroidery), and got to work.
This recipe came together like a lovely surprise. The glaze, the crunch of crushed Reese’s, the tang of cream cheese—it’s indulgent in all the right ways. Somewhere between nostalgic and new, this dessert feels like a homemade love letter wrapped in chocolate and peanut butter. And the best part? It’s easier than it looks, perfect for sharing with your sweet-toothed crew, or sneaking one solo with your morning coffee.
Short Description
Decadent and playful, these Peanut Butter Reese’s Donut Sandwiches layer cheesecake filling and peanut butter between two halves of a chocolate-glazed donut, topped with a warm peanut butter drizzle. Sweet, rich, and surprisingly simple to make.
Key Ingredients
For the Donut Sandwiches:
- 4 chocolate glazed donuts
- ½ cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup crushed Reese’s cups
For the Peanut Butter Drizzle:
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons milk
Tools Needed
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Serrated knife
- Spatula or piping bag
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cheesecake Filling
In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy. Once the texture is velvety with no lumps, gently fold in the crushed Reese’s cups. Cover and refrigerate the filling for at least 30 minutes. This helps the flavors meld and makes spreading easier.
Step 2: Assemble the Donut Sandwiches
Using a serrated knife, slice each chocolate glazed donut horizontally to create a top and bottom half. Spread a thin layer of peanut butter on the bottom half of each donut. Then, either spoon or pipe the chilled cheesecake filling generously on top. Carefully place the top half of the donut over the filling and press lightly to hold its shape.
Step 3: Make the Peanut Butter Drizzle
In a microwave-safe bowl, heat ¼ cup of peanut butter and 2 tablespoons of milk for 15–20 seconds. Stir well until smooth and pourable. If it’s too thick, add a splash more milk. Drizzle this luscious sauce over the top of each donut sandwich.
Step 4: Serve & Enjoy!
Serve immediately for a soft, creamy texture—or chill for 15–20 minutes for a firmer bite. Garnish with extra crushed Reese’s cups if you want to go all out. These sandwiches are rich, so one might just be enough… but good luck stopping at one.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
– Rich peanut butter and chocolate flavor
– Fun and nostalgic twist on donuts
– No baking required
– Ready in under 1 hour
– Perfect for parties or special treats
– Versatile—works chilled or fresh
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
1. Skipping the chilling step for the filling
Issue: The filling becomes too runny and spills out.
Solution: Always chill for at least 30 minutes so it firms up and spreads cleanly.
2. Using donuts that are too fresh or soft
Issue: They tear apart during slicing or assembly.
Solution: Slightly day-old donuts hold their shape better and are easier to work with.
3. Overheating the peanut butter drizzle
Issue: It curdles or separates.
Solution: Heat in short bursts (15–20 seconds) and stir frequently to keep it smooth.
4. Not softening the cream cheese fully
Issue: Lumpy filling.
Solution: Let cream cheese sit at room temp for 30–45 minutes before mixing.
5. Using too much filling
Issue: It oozes out and the sandwich doesn’t hold.
Solution: Stick to 2–3 tablespoons per donut, and pipe it toward the center, not the edges.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve as a fun brunch dessert or birthday treat.
Pair with a tall glass of cold milk, iced coffee, or hot cocoa.
Works great on a dessert platter or as part of a donut bar.
Slice in halves or quarters for bite-sized party portions.
Add crushed peanuts or mini chocolate chips on top for crunch.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Storage:
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Avoid stacking them to prevent smashing the filling.
Freezing:
Not recommended as donuts become soggy after thawing.
Reheating:
Best served cold or at room temperature.
If you want a warm touch, microwave for just 5–7 seconds—any longer and the filling melts too much.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of donut?
Yes! Vanilla-glazed or even plain donuts work. Just avoid jelly-filled or powdered ones as they get messy.
2. What kind of peanut butter works best?
Creamy spreads smoothly, but chunky adds texture. Natural peanut butter can work but might separate—stir it well.
3. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, assemble up to 12 hours in advance and store in the fridge. Add drizzle and garnish right before serving.
4. Is there a way to make this less sweet?
Use unsweetened peanut butter, reduce powdered sugar to ⅓ cup, and opt for dark chocolate Reese’s.
5. Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Absolutely! Just double all ingredients and use a piping bag for faster filling.
Tips & Tricks
A chilled metal bowl makes your cream cheese filling set faster.
Add a pinch of sea salt on top for a sweet-salty contrast.
Use a piping bag for cleaner, prettier filling layers.
Mix some crushed pretzels into the filling for a salty crunch.
Warm donuts slightly before assembling if using store-bought ones for that fresh-bakery softness.
Recipe Variations
1. Nutella Banana Donut Sandwiches
Swap peanut butter with Nutella
Add banana slices to the filling
Use chocolate or plain donuts
The result? A rich, fruity twist with creamy hazelnut flavor.
2. Salted Caramel Donut Sandwiches
Replace Reese’s with chopped caramel candies
Drizzle with warm caramel sauce instead of peanut butter
Add a pinch of flaky salt
Creates a smooth, buttery bite with a hint of salt.
3. S’mores Style Sandwiches
Use marshmallow fluff in the filling
Swap Reese’s for chopped Hershey’s and graham cracker crumbles
Drizzle with chocolate sauce
It’s a campfire classic in donut form.
4. Protein-Packed Breakfast Version
Use high-protein peanut butter
Add a scoop of vanilla protein powder to the filling
Skip the drizzle and top with granola
A slightly healthier take that still satisfies a sweet tooth.
Final Thoughts
These Peanut Butter Reese’s Donut Sandwiches brought a grin to every face in the kitchen that day, even the skeptics who claimed they were “too full for dessert.” They’re messy in the best way, bold, rich, and filled with familiar flavors that hit all the right notes.
What makes them stand out isn’t just the decadence—it’s the ease and charm. No baking. No complicated steps. Just classic ingredients coming together to create something a little magical.
Making these reminded me that some of the best recipes aren’t about fancy skills, but about having fun with the ingredients you love. And honestly, anything sandwiched between two halves of a donut is bound to be a good time.
Try it, share it, maybe even put your own twist on it—and most of all, enjoy the delicious chaos.
Peanut Butter Reese’s Donut Sandwiches
Print ThisIngredients
- For the Donut Sandwiches:
- 4 chocolate glazed donuts
- ½ cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup crushed Reese’s cups
- For the Peanut Butter Drizzle:
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cheesecake Filling
Beat softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Fold in crushed Reese’s cups, cover, and chill for 30 minutes to firm up the texture.
Step 2: Assemble the Donut Sandwiches
Slice donuts in half horizontally. Spread peanut butter on the bottom halves, then add a generous layer of cheesecake filling. Top with the other half and press gently.
Step 3: Make the Peanut Butter Drizzle
Microwave ¼ cup peanut butter with 2 tbsp milk for 15–20 seconds. Stir until smooth. If needed, add a splash more milk. Drizzle over the sandwiches.
Step 4: Serve & Enjoy!
Serve right away for a soft, creamy bite or chill for a firmer texture. Add extra crushed Reese’s on top for more indulgence.
