Reese’s vs Reese’s: Are Peanut Butter Cups better than Pieces?

We finally end the debate over which Reese’s candy is the best when we pit Peanut Butter Cups against Reese’s Pieces.

In 1928, almost 100 years ago, the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup was first introduced to the world. The simple idea of a cup of peanut butter coated in chocolate was an instant hit. And why not? Everyone knows Peanut Butter Cups are good. So good. I mean, I can eat an entire bag of those things without stopping. That’s how good those things are. So very good.

Sorry. Got distracted there.

Then in 1978, 50 years after the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup came into out lives, Hershey gave us Reese’s Pieces. Think a peanut butter cup but with a hard candy coating. For years Reese’s Pieces played second fiddle to M&Ms until they were featured in a little movie called E.T. when Mars declined to allow the film to use the more popular candy. Suddenly people couldn’t get enough Reese’s Pieces.

Of course, this has led to the question of which is the better candy; Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or Reese’s Pieces? Two candies that are essentially the same yet so very different. Well, we are going to try and come up with an answer.

Peanut Butter Cups or Pieces? Which is better?

Choosing one or the other is the same as trying to choose your favorite doughnut or favorite style of pizza. Everyone has their own tastes but no one is going to turn down a doughnut or slice of pizza. They are universally loved by all. (If you don’t like doughnuts or pizza, leave now. There is no place for you here.)

More from Snacks

• Jet-Puffed Marshmallows are a hot cocoa bar must-have!
• Goldfish Crisps are the newest product from the iconic brand
• Crumbl Cookies is getting extra sweet with two new flavors for Dec 4 to 9
• Levain Bakery’s holiday cookie and gift collection available now
• Snyder’s of Hanover introduces Pretzel Cabins for 2023

The same principle applies to both varieties of Reese’s. No one in their right mind is going to say no to one or the other. It’s not like someone on Halloween looks in their goodie bag and says “Reese’s Pieces? What are you nuts? No thanks. I only eat Peanut Butter Cups.” Everyone loves both.

When you come right down to it, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Reese’s Pieces are the same candy. Both are basically peanut butter wrapped in chocolate. The main difference is the hard candy shell on the pieces. So the debate really rests on the issue of texture.

Do you like your candy soft and chewy? Do you prefer to not hear any crunch when you bite into a candy bar and instead like the chocolate to melt in your mouth? The odds are you are a Peanut Butter Cup kind of person.

On the other hand, do you prefer a little snap to your candy? Maybe some crunch when you chew? Do you like being able to dump an entire bag in your mouth at once and hear them rattling around? Then you are likely a Pieces fan.

Despite that, if we had to pick a definitive winner, we’d have to go with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for two very good reasons. First, they’ve been around for almost 100 years and have been one of the best selling candies of all time almost from day one. And second, they didn’t need a Steven Spielberg movie to get lodged into the American pop culture filament.

Let’s be honest. Without E.T., there might not even be a Reese’s Pieces to talk about.

Thoughts Guilty Eats Nation? Do you agree with our decision or are you trying to calm yourself down right now? Leave a comment below and let the debate continue.