Reese peanut butter sauce is a delicious topping made by the Hershey Company using Reese’s peanut butter. It is smooth, creamy, and has the distinctive taste of Reese’s peanut butter cups. The sauce is versatile and can be used as a topping for ice cream sundaes, milkshakes, pancakes, waffles, fruit, and more.
What are the ingredients in Reese peanut butter sauce?
The main ingredients in Reese peanut butter sauce are:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Peanut butter (minimum 11% peanuts)
- Skim milk
- Cocoa processed with alkali
- Palm oil
- Salt
- Mono and diglycerides
- Sodium stearoyl lactylate
These ingredients are blended together to create the smooth, creamy texture and signature Reese’s peanut butter taste. The sauce contains no artificial flavors or preservatives.
What is the nutritional information for Reese peanut butter sauce?
Here are the nutrition facts for a 2 tablespoon (34g) serving of Reese peanut butter sauce:
| Nutrition Facts | 2 tbsp (34g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 160 |
| Total Fat | 8g |
| Saturated Fat | 2.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 85mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 22g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Sugars | 18g |
| Protein | 2g |
As you can see, it is high in sugar at 18g per serving. The sugar helps provide the sweet peanut butter taste. There is 8g of fat per serving, most of which comes from the peanut butter. It provides 22g of carbohydrates and 2g of protein.
What is the shelf life of Reese peanut butter sauce?
Unopened Reese peanut butter sauce has a shelf life of about 18 months when stored properly. Once opened, the sauce should be refrigerated and used within 4-6 weeks. Check the “best by” date printed on the bottle to determine the recommended shelf life.
Properly storing unopened Reese peanut butter sauce can help maximize its shelf life:
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
- Keep tightly sealed when not in use
- Avoid extreme heat or cold
Once opened, it’s important to refrigerate Reese peanut butter sauce. Make sure to seal the bottle tightly after each use.
How do you use Reese peanut butter sauce?
There are many creative ways to use Reese peanut butter sauce:
- Ice Cream Topping: Drizzle over vanilla ice cream for a peanut butter sundae
- Milkshake: Add to milkshakes for a peanut butter blast
- Pancakes & Waffles: Top your breakfast pancakes or waffles
- Fruit Dip: Use as a dip for fresh fruit like apples, bananas, strawberries
- Yogurt Parfait: Layer in a parfait with yogurt and granola
- Cookies & Brownies: Drizzle over baked goods for extra flavor
- Smoothies: Add to chocolate or peanut butter smoothies
The sauce is easy to drizzle and mixes well into cold desserts and drinks. A little bit goes a long way in adding rich Reese’s peanut butter flavor. Get creative and try it on top of your favorite snacks and treats!
Where can you buy Reese peanut butter sauce?
Here are some places where Reese peanut butter sauce can be purchased:
- Grocery Stores: Find it in the ice cream topping aisle at most major supermarkets like Walmart, Target, etc.
- Convenience Stores: Sold at stores like 7-Eleven, Wawa, Circle K, etc.
- Online: Can be ordered online from websites like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Hershey’s
- Specialty Stores: Some candy, chocolate, or peanut butter specialty shops may carry it
- Direct from Hershey: Can be ordered directly from Hershey’s website
Be sure to check the ice cream aisle first when looking for Reese peanut butter sauce at brick-and-mortar stores. It’s typically stocked near other ice cream toppings and syrups. Buying online can be convenient if you can’t find it locally.
How much does Reese peanut butter sauce cost?
The price of Reese peanut butter sauce can vary between stores and sizes:
- 12 oz bottle: $2.50 – $4.50
- 20 oz bottle: $3.50 – $6.00
- 28 oz squeeze bottle: $5.50 – $8.00
Grocery stores tend to have the best prices. Convenience stores may charge a little more. Buying larger sized bottles can provide more value per ounce.
Online prices typically match up with local grocery store prices. Hershey’s website sells a 28 oz bottle for around $8.
Watch for sales, coupons, and bulk deals when stocking up. Overall it’s a fairly affordable ice cream topping that can provide many servings.
Who makes Reese peanut butter sauce?
Reese peanut butter sauce is made by The Hershey Company. Hershey’s is the largest chocolate manufacturer in North America.
Some other popular Hershey’s products include:
- Hershey’s chocolate bars
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
- Hershey’s Kisses
- Kit Kat
- Heath bars
- Twizzlers
- Hershey’s Syrup
Hershey’s has produced Reese’s Peanut Butter Sauce since the 1990s after acquiring the rights to use the Reese’s brand name. It allowed the company to expand the brand into the ice cream topping category.
The sauce is made in Hershey’s manufacturing facilities in the United States, although the exact location varies. Hershey’s operates several major manufacturing plants in states like Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Illinois.
When was Reese peanut butter sauce first released?
Reese peanut butter sauce first appeared on the market in the early to mid-1990s. It was around the same time that Hershey acquired the rights to use the “Reese’s” brand name for peanut butter products.
Prior to this, Hershey was already producing its signature Hershey’s syrup. Reese’s peanut butter sauce allowed the company to enter the peanut butter syrup market using a popular brand name.
The release of Reese’s peanut butter sauce coincided with a surge in popularity of loaded milkshakes, sundaes, and other ice cream treats loaded with toppings. It quickly became a favorite for adding peanut butter flavor to cold desserts.
Initial reviews praised the sauce for tasting like authentic Reese’s peanut butter. Fans loved having a creamy, pourable version of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup flavor. Over 25 years later, it remains a best-selling ice cream topping.
Has the recipe for Reese peanut butter sauce changed over time?
The original recipe for Reese peanut butter sauce has largely stayed the same since it was first introduced in the 1990s. However, there have been some minor tweaks and adjustments over the years.
Here are some subtle ways the recipe has evolved:
- Variations in peanut butter suppliers to balance taste and cost
- Slight modifications to the sugar and corn syrup ratios
- Changes to the emulsifier blend for texture
- Adjustments to the cocoa and milk powder amounts
- Tweaks to the salt used
Despite these small shifts, Hershey’s insists the core flavor has remained unchanged. The primary goal has been keeping the authentic Reese’s peanut butter profile that fans expect.
Consumer reviews over the decades indicate Hershey’s has succeeded in maintaining a consistent taste. Many nostalgic adults still say it brings back childhood memories of enjoying Reese’s ice cream treats.
What are some common consumer reviews and ratings?
Here is an overview of consumer reviews and ratings for Reese peanut butter sauce:
- Taste: Nearly universal praise for authentic Reese’s peanut butter flavor. Fans say it perfectly captures the chocolate-peanut butter taste.
- Texture: Reviews indicate it has an ideal pourable, drippy consistency while still being thick. Smooth and creamy.
- Sweetness: Considered sweet, but not overly sugary. Appropriate amount to enhance desserts.
- Versatility: Works well as a topping for many foods beyond just ice cream. Easy to incorporate into recipes.
- Price: Thought to be very fairly priced, especially for the large size bottles.
- Packaging: Bottle makes it simple to drizzle on desserts. Some reviews say cap could seal better.
- Overall: With over 2,000 Amazon reviews, it averages 4.8 out of 5 stars. Most call it a pantry staple.
Based on customer feedback across retail sites, Reese peanut butter sauce delivers on providing authentic Reese’s peanut butter flavor at an affordable price point. It earns consistently positive ratings.
How does Reese peanut butter sauce compare to other brands?
Reese peanut butter sauce is considered the leading brand of jarred peanut butter sauce:
- Taste: Reese’s has the most preferred peanut butter flavor profile compared to generic brands.
- Texture: Name brands like Reese’s tend to be smoother and creamier than cheaper brands.
- Versatility: Reese’s works well in more recipes and applications than lesser known brands.
- Price: Store brands can be cheaper, but Reese’s frequently goes on sale making prices competitive.
- Packaging: Reese’s sauce comes in a convenient squeeze bottle that control drizzling.
- Brand recognition: Consumers trust the Reese’s brand for quality and taste.
While cheaper generic versions exist, most reviews suggest investing a couple extra dollars in the Reese’s name brand sauce for superior flavor and texture. The ease of use in recipes and baking also gives it an edge.
What are some creative recipe ideas using Reese peanut butter sauce?
Milkshakes and Smoothies
Reese’s peanut butter sauce blends perfectly into milkshake and smoothie recipes. Add a few tablespoons into any of the following:
- Chocolate milkshakes
- Vanilla and banana smoothies
- Peanut butter-Oreo milkshakes
- Strawberry banana smoothies
The sauce swirls in easily for a sweet peanut butter kick.
Desserts
Transform traditional dessert recipes by incorporating Reese’s peanut butter sauce:
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie – swirl sauce into chocolate pie filling before baking.
- Peanut Butter Cupcakes – fill cupcakes with peanut butter filling made with sauce.
- Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Truffles – mix sauce into cookie dough filling before coating in chocolate.
The sauce lends its creamy texture and peanut flavor to all kinds of baked goods.
Fruits and Snacks
Drizzle or dip your favorite fruits and snacks into Reese’s peanut butter sauce:
- Sliced apples
- Banana slices
- Graham crackers or teddy grahams
- Pretzels
- Waffle fries or potato wedges
It instantly upgrades fresh fruit, crackers, baked goods into Reese’s inspired treats.
Should you refrigerate after opening?
Yes, it is recommended to refrigerate Reese peanut butter sauce after opening to maximize its shelf life and freshness.
Refrigerating unused sauce creates a colder, more viscous texture that allows it to stay stable longer. It also prevents the growth of mold and bacteria that could spoil the sauce over time at room temperature.
Make sure to screw the lid on tightly before storing to prevent the sauce from absorbing fridge odors. Then store the bottle upside down in the fridge door for easy access.
If refrigerated properly after opening, Reese peanut butter sauce will maintain optimal flavor and texture for 4-6 weeks. Always discard if you notice any changes in color, consistency, or smell.
Refrigerating opened peanut butter sauce is suggested no matter the brand, including Reese’s. Follow this simple storage tip to get the most use out of your sauce before having to replace it.
Will Reese peanut butter sauce freeze well?
Reese peanut butter sauce freezes exceptionally well for long-term storage. The high sugar content prevents it from separating or becoming overly thick.
To freeze Reese peanut butter sauce:
- Make sure sauce is sealed tightly in original packaging
- Wrap bottle in plastic wrap or place in a freezer bag
- Flatten bottle so sauce freezes into thin layers
- Store flat in freezer for 2-3 months
Once frozen, run the bottle under warm water to thaw and loosen sauce before using. Mix well before drizzling.
If stored properly in the freezer, Reese peanut butter sauce maintains its smooth, pourable texture. The taste remains unchanged. Freezing can extend the shelf life to 6 months or longer.
Consider buying extra bottles when on sale and freezing the extras. You’ll always have this dessert staple ready when that ice cream sundae craving hits!
Conclusion
Reese peanut butter sauce has become a beloved ice cream topping thanks to its irresistible Reese’s peanut butter cup flavor. With a creamy, pourable texture and ideal sweetness, it elevates everything from sundaes to milkshakes. Hershey’s has kept the original recipe largely unchanged for over 25 years. Customers consistently give the sauce positive reviews for taste, value, and versatility. While other brands exist, Reese’s remains the gold standard for quality peanut butter sauce. With proper refrigerated storage after opening, it will maintain peak freshness for weeks. Freezing unused bottles can extend shelf life even longer. Reese peanut butter sauce is the perfect way to instantly add peanut butter indulgence to all your favorite desserts and snacks.
