Peanut Butter Cups: Celebrate the “I Love Reese’s Day”
I Love Reese’s Day is a real holiday celebrating the brand’s famous peanut butter cups and other desserts. It is observed on May 18 each year, and this year marks the holiday’s 11th anniversary! We believe the best way to celebrate it is by eating Reese’s desserts. But first, let’s look at some Reese’s trivia.
Who Invented Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups?
The Hershey website tells us Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups were created by Harry Burnett (H.B.) Reese in 1928. Other sources reveal Reese, a former dairy farmer, actually created the confection in his home basement while working as foreman at Hershey’s. Either way we look at it, the Peanut Butter Cups were a hit.
Over time, Reese’s product line has grown to include over 100 candy bars, spreads, cookies, and cereals. By 1969, 6 years after the Reese/Hershey merger, the Reese’s Cups became the Hershey Company’s top seller. The brand accounts for almost half of all seasonal sales within the U.S. convenience store channel. What’s more, Reese’s products always make the top two sales items for major holidays. This means Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, and Christmas… It was about time Reese’s were given their own holiday!
Creating the Holiday
In 2010, Hershey’s decided to run an online petition to declare the holiday. The response was enormous. With roughly 40,000 signatures, the new holiday was born! But why May 18? Because it sits between two very relevant holidays: March’s National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day and July’s Chocolate Day.
While Hershey’s gave away 10,000 Peanut Butter Cups to mark the inaugural holiday, it’s up to us to continue to enjoy them. However this job is made easy by all the variations in size, filling, and coating. Not to mention all the holiday editions and ice cream toppings.
Mallow-Top Marshmallow Creme with Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups (Hershey Land)
Some of our favourites variations include:
- Big Cup Milk Chocolate King Size Peanut Butter Cup
- Easter Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Creme Egg
- Reese’s Pieces Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy
- Reese’s Stuffed with Pieces
- Mallow-Top Marshmallow Creme with Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
- Reese’s Dipped Pretzels Dark Chocolate Snack
- Nutrageous Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy Bar
- Popped Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Snack Mix
Reese’s Ultimate Peanut Butter Lovers Peanut Butter Cup (Hershey Land)
Additionally, a new one from them is the Ultimate Peanut Butter Lovers Peanut Butter Cup. Made with double the peanut buttery goodness, the design rewards the elite palate of peanut butter lovers.
Dietary Alternatives for Reese’s Candies
Reese’s also caters to those with dietary restrictions. While vegan choices continue to grow, we can find a list of gluten-free varieties online. It includes the following:
- Fast Break Bar
- Nutrageous Bar (Standard and King)
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – All Except Seasonal Shaped Items
- Unwrapped Mini Minis – Milk Chocolate and White
- Reese’s Pieces Candy – All Except Reese’s Pieces Eggs
- Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cups – All Except Seasonal Shaped Items
Chocolate peanut butter cup (Marble Slab Creamery)
Obviously the best way to observe I Love Reese’s Day is to eat Reese’s candy. Sometimes you’re lucky enough to live in a place that not only sells them nearby, but offers actual Reese’s-filled desserts. These include Peanut Butter Cup pies, cookies, cakes, and brownies. Additionally, we’ve even seen Peanut Butter Cup puddings and trifles! Check out what’s available near you!
