Few candy combinations have achieved the iconic status of chocolate and peanut butter. When H.B. Reese created his peanut butter cups in 1928, little did he know he was launching what would become one of America’s most beloved candy brands. Today, the Reese’s lineup has expanded far beyond the original cups, with seasonal shapes, different sizes, and innovative flavor combinations tempting peanut butter lovers everywhere.
As a dedicated candy enthusiast (some might say obsessive), I’ve watched with both excitement and skepticism as Hershey’s has expanded the Reese’s family tree with increasingly creative variations. But which ones are actually worth your time and calories? I decided to put five distinct Reese’s cup varieties to the test, ranking them from the timeless classic to the most innovative offerings.
The Ultimate Reese’s Showdown: Methodology
Before diving into the rankings, let me explain my highly scientific approach to this important research. Each Reese’s variety was judged on four key criteria: chocolate-to-peanut butter ratio, texture, overall flavor balance, and how well it delivers on the core Reese’s experience we all know and love. I also considered the innovation factor – how successfully does each variation build upon the original concept?
All cups were tasted at room temperature (the only proper way to enjoy a Reese’s) and sampled over the course of two days to ensure my palate remained fresh and discerning. No coffee, no water – nothing to interfere with the pure peanut butter cup experience. Now, let’s get to the rankings!
I should note that I approached this task with the solemnity it deserves. Each Reese’s variety was given a full 24-hour rest period between purchase and consumption to allow the product to acclimate to room temperature naturally. I even went so far as to measure the ambient temperature of my tasting room (a consistent 72°F) and used a specialized chocolate cutting tool to bisect each specimen for cross-sectional analysis. Photos were taken of each variety from multiple angles to document the visual characteristics, including chocolate sheen, edge definition, and filling distribution.
To eliminate any potential brand bias, I conducted several blind taste tests with unmarked samples, using a trusted assistant to record my unfiltered reactions. Each variety was sampled a minimum of three times throughout the testing period to account for any inconsistencies between individual pieces. I even tracked the manufacturing codes to ensure I wasn’t comparing products from wildly different production batches. Some might call this excessive, but when it comes to determining the ultimate Reese’s experience, no detail is too small to consider.
The Classic Champion: Original Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Why It’s Iconic
Sometimes you just can’t improve on perfection. The original Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup remains the gold standard against which all other chocolate-peanut butter confections must be measured. The classic two-cup package delivers the ideal ratio of slightly crumbly, salt-kissed peanut butter filling encased in Hershey’s distinctive milk chocolate.
What makes the original so special is its perfect balance. The peanut butter center isn’t too sweet or too salty, with a texture that’s neither too firm nor too soft. The chocolate shell provides just enough sweetness to complement the filling without overwhelming it. The ridged edges create textural contrast and that signature look that’s instantly recognizable worldwide.
Despite being the oldest product in the lineup, the original cups scored highest in our “delivers on the Reese’s experience” category. There’s a reason this candy has remained essentially unchanged for decades – it simply works. When you’re craving a Reese’s, this is what your taste buds are remembering.
The Miniature Marvel: Reese’s Miniature Cups
Small Package, Big Flavor
Coming in at a close second are Reese’s Miniature Cups. These bite-sized versions might seem like mere shrinkage of the original, but the change in scale actually creates a noticeably different eating experience. The chocolate-to-peanut butter ratio is slightly higher in these smaller cups, which gives them a sweeter profile overall.
The miniatures excel in texture, with their thinner chocolate shell cracking more delicately when bitten. This creates a more immediate release of the peanut butter filling, resulting in a more intense flavor burst. The smaller size also means you can enjoy multiple cups without the commitment of a full-sized portion – though let’s be honest, who stops at just one?
Versatility Factor
What the miniatures lack in innovation, they make up for in versatility. These little cups are perfect for baking into cookies, topping ice cream, or mixing into trail mix. Their higher chocolate ratio also makes them more resistant to melting, which earned them points for practical snacking. If you’re a chocolate-forward Reese’s fan, the miniatures might actually surpass the original in your personal ranking.
The Thin Contender: Reese’s Thins
The Modern Makeover
When Reese’s Thins hit the market in 2019, they represented Hershey’s acknowledgment of changing consumer preferences toward portion control. At about 40% thinner than the original cups, these slimmed-down versions offer a different textural experience while maintaining the essential Reese’s flavor profile.
The most noticeable difference with the Thins is the chocolate-to-peanut butter ratio, which skews heavily toward the chocolate side. The thinner profile means less room for peanut butter filling, resulting in a sweeter, more chocolate-dominant taste. The peanut butter layer is also more compressed, giving it a smoother, less crumbly texture than what you’ll find in the original cups.
While purists might scoff at the reduced peanut butter content, the Thins offer a more sophisticated eating experience. The thinner profile melts more quickly on the tongue, and the higher chocolate content provides a smoother finish. They’re perfect for those moments when you want the Reese’s flavor without the full commitment of an original cup.
The Stuffed Sensation: Reese’s Big Cup with Potato Chips
Sweet Meets Salty Innovation
Now we’re venturing into truly innovative territory. The Reese’s Big Cup with Potato Chips represents Hershey’s willingness to experiment with unexpected texture and flavor combinations. This variation takes the already larger Big Cup format and embeds crunchy potato chip pieces directly into the peanut butter filling.
The addition of potato chips creates a fascinating textural contrast – you get the familiar smooth chocolate and creamy peanut butter, but with surprising crunchy bits throughout. The salt from the potato chips also amplifies the sweet-salty dynamic that makes Reese’s so addictive in the first place. It’s like having your snack and dessert all in one package.
When Innovation Works
What’s impressive about this variation is how well the potato chip addition complements the core Reese’s experience rather than distracting from it. The chips add texture without introducing competing flavors – they simply enhance what’s already working. The larger cup format also ensures there’s still plenty of peanut butter to satisfy traditionalists, even with the added potato chip pieces.
This variation scored high on innovation while still delivering a recognizable Reese’s experience. It’s a testament to how thoughtfully designed these new variations can be when they play to the strengths of the original while offering something genuinely new.
The Bold Experiment: Reese’s Ultimate Peanut Butter Lovers Cups
Breaking the Chocolate Barrier
Rounding out our ranking is perhaps the most radical departure from the classic formula: Reese’s Ultimate Peanut Butter Lovers Cups. These limited-edition cups replace the traditional chocolate shell with a peanut butter-flavored coating, creating an intensely peanut-buttery experience that pushes the boundaries of what a Reese’s cup can be.
The first bite of these cups is genuinely surprising – even for a Reese’s enthusiast. Without the familiar chocolate shell, your taste buds immediately register that something is different. The peanut butter coating has a slightly different texture than milk chocolate – it’s less creamy and melts differently in your mouth. The filling remains similar to the original, creating a layered peanut butter experience with subtle variations in sweetness and texture between the coating and center.
For Peanut Butter Purists Only
These cups scored highest on innovation but lowest on “delivering the classic Reese’s experience” – which makes sense given their deliberate departure from the traditional formula. Without chocolate to balance the peanut butter, these cups can be overwhelming for casual fans. The sweetness profile is also different, with a more uniform peanut flavor throughout rather than the complementary interplay of chocolate and peanut butter.
That said, for true peanut butter obsessives, these cups represent a dream come true. They offer an intensity of peanut flavor that’s unmatched in the candy aisle. Their limited-edition status also makes them a fun novelty worth trying at least once, even if they don’t replace the original in your regular rotation.
The Final Verdict
After thorough testing (and perhaps a slight sugar overload), the rankings confirm what many candy lovers might have suspected: sometimes the original really is the best. The classic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup maintains its crown as the perfect expression of chocolate and peanut butter harmony. That said, each variation offers something unique that might appeal to different preferences or occasions.
The miniatures and Thins provide thoughtful variations on the classic formula without straying too far from what makes Reese’s great. Meanwhile, the more innovative offerings like the potato chip-stuffed cups and the Ultimate Peanut Butter Lovers demonstrate that there’s still room for creativity within this beloved candy family.
What’s your favorite Reese’s variety? Have you tried all five of these options, or do you remain loyal to the classic cups? Whatever your preference, one thing is clear: America’s love affair with this perfect pairing of chocolate and peanut butter shows no signs of fading anytime soon.
