Saturday mornings are usually loud at my house. The blender’s whirring, my kids are chasing each other with Nerf guns, and I’m playing catch-up with a million little to-dos. But last weekend, I needed something fun—something that screamed “mom’s still got it!” I had a stash of chocolate glazed donuts meant for a quick breakfast, a jar of peanut butter dangerously close to being eaten straight with a spoon, and leftover Reese’s from my husband’s late-night candy raid. That’s when it hit me.
I’d never made donut sandwiches before—not sweet ones, at least. We’ve done the egg and cheese kind. But dessert sandwiches? Game on.
The idea popped into my head faster than I could double-check if we had cream cheese (we did, thank goodness). The kids peeked into the kitchen like squirrels smelling peanut butter. I tossed on an apron, softened the cream cheese, and let instinct lead. By the time I was piping rich Reese’s-studded cheesecake filling between those donut halves and drizzling peanut butter over the top, I knew we were headed somewhere special.
What happened next? Silence. The kind only a good bite brings. My family devoured them like it was the best secret I’d ever kept. And just like that, I knew I had to share this recipe—because something this indulgent, this easy, and this joy-sparking? It’s meant to be passed around.
Short Description
Rich, creamy, and wildly fun, these Peanut Butter Reese’s Donut Sandwiches combine chocolate-glazed donuts with a luscious peanut butter cheesecake filling and a warm drizzle for the ultimate dessert-meets-breakfast bite.
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
- Medium mixing bowl
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Serrated knife
- Spatula or piping bag
- Spoon for drizzling
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cheesecake Filling
In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until it’s smooth and fluffy—about 1–2 minutes.
Gently fold in the crushed Reese’s cups using a spatula. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes to firm it up slightly, making it easier to pipe or spoon.
Step 2: Assemble the Donut Sandwiches
Using a serrated knife, carefully slice each donut in half horizontally. Spread a layer of peanut butter onto the cut side of the bottom halves.
Then, spoon or pipe a generous amount of the chilled filling on top. Gently press the top donut half back on, creating a neat sandwich.
Step 3: Make the Peanut Butter Drizzle
In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine ¼ cup peanut butter and 2 tablespoons of milk. Microwave for 15–20 seconds. Stir until smooth. If it’s too thick, add ½ teaspoon of milk at a time until you reach a pourable consistency.
Step 4: Serve & Enjoy!
Drizzle the warm peanut butter sauce over the top of each sandwich. Serve immediately for a soft, melt-in-your-mouth experience or chill for a firmer, icebox-cake-like treat. Garnish with extra crushed Reese’s cups if you dare.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Quick & Easy: No baking involved—just mix, chill, and assemble.
Over-the-Top Flavor: It’s rich, creamy, peanut buttery, and chocolatey all at once.
Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for parties, potlucks, or impressing your kids on a random Saturday.
Customizable: Easy to swap ingredients or tweak to taste.
Fun to Make with Kids: Let them drizzle or sprinkle—messy fun guaranteed.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Using cold cream cheese: It won’t mix smoothly. Let it sit at room temp for 30 minutes before using.
Overfilling the sandwich: It’s tempting, but too much filling will ooze out. Stick to about 2–3 tablespoons per donut.
Too runny drizzle: Add peanut butter or chill it for a few minutes if the consistency is too loose.
Crushing Reese’s too fine: You want bits, not dust—use a knife or break by hand for better texture.
Storing assembled sandwiches too long: They get soggy. Assemble fresh or store components separately.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve these sandwiches on a platter with extra Reese’s cups scattered around for effect. They’re great for:
Dessert buffets at birthday parties or casual gatherings
Brunch spreads—yes, they’re indulgent, but that’s the fun!
Movie nights with tall glasses of cold milk
Pair with strong coffee or a peanut butter banana smoothie for balance
Want to take it even further? Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side
Storage and Reheating Tips
Refrigerate leftovers: Store donut sandwiches in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Keep drizzle separate: Store any extra drizzle in a small container and reheat before serving.
Reheat drizzle only: Microwave for 10–15 seconds and stir until smooth.
Avoid reheating sandwiches: The donuts go mushy—enjoy them chilled or at room temp.
Freeze only the filling: Cheesecake filling freezes well for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge before using.
FAQs
1. Can I use mini donuts instead of regular-sized ones?
Yes, mini donuts work great for bite-sized treats. Just reduce the filling amount to about 1 tablespoon per sandwich.
2. Is chunky or creamy peanut butter better for the drizzle?
Creamy peanut butter melts more smoothly, but chunky adds texture. Use what suits your style!
3. Can I prep these in advance?
Absolutely—prepare the filling and slice the donuts a few hours ahead. Assemble just before serving to avoid sogginess.
4. What if I don’t have Reese’s cups?
Swap in mini peanut butter chips or chopped chocolate with a spoonful of peanut butter mixed in.
5. How can I make this more kid-friendly?
Use colorful sprinkles or let kids add their favorite toppings—banana slices, mini M&M’s, or crushed pretzels.
Tips & Tricks
– Warm the peanut butter for easier spreading and drizzling.
– Chill the donut halves for 10 minutes before assembling for less mess.
– Use a piping bag with a star tip for a decorative filling look.
– Lightly toast the donut halves (cut side only) for a warm-crisp contrast.
– For less sweetness, use dark chocolate donuts or reduce powdered sugar.
Recipe Variations
Nut-Free Twist:
Swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter and skip Reese’s. Add crushed pretzel pieces for texture. Use the same method for mixing and drizzling.
Chocolate Overload Version:
Replace Reese’s with crushed Oreos and use Nutella instead of peanut butter. Drizzle with melted dark chocolate instead of PB sauce.
Fruit & Cream Option:
Replace Reese’s with finely chopped strawberries or raspberries. Fold them into the cheesecake filling and skip the PB drizzle altogether.
Protein Boosted Version:
Add 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder to the cheesecake filling. Use high-protein donuts or sandwich between protein waffles.
Breakfast-Approved Version:
Go easy on the filling, add sliced bananas inside, and serve with Greek yogurt on the side. Makes a playful yet more balanced breakfast.
Final Thoughts
These Peanut Butter Reese’s Donut Sandwiches brought out the smiles, the sticky fingers, and the kind of joy we chase every time we step into the kitchen. They may look over-the-top, but they’re shockingly easy to put together, which makes them perfect for days when you want to spoil someone just because.
If you’re a parent, a sweet tooth, or just someone who believes in the magic of peanut butter and chocolate, this one’s for you. Try it once, and you’ll see why I’ll be keeping extra donuts around “just in case” from now on. As always, tweak it to fit your taste, and make it your own. This is the kind of recipe that invites play, creativity, and—of course—one more bite.
Peanut Butter Reese’s Donut Sandwiches
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
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Stir in the crushed Reese’s cups, then chill the filling in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Cut each donut in half. Spread peanut butter on the bottom half, then add a scoop or swirl of chilled filling.
- Place the top half back on to make a sandwich.
- In a small bowl, microwave the peanut butter and milk for 15–20 seconds. Stir until smooth. If it’s too thick, add a little more milk until it’s easy to pour.
- Drizzle the warm sauce over each donut sandwich.
- Serve right away or chill for a firmer bite. Add extra crushed Reese’s on top if you’d like more indulgence.
