Reese’s Chocolate Lava Big Cup: A Molten Masterpiece

Reese’s has long been the gold standard for chocolate and peanut butter combos. Over the years, the brand hasn’t been shy about shaking things up. From the Elvis-inspired Reese’s Peanut Butter & Banana Creme Cups to the latest gooey treats of the Caramel Big Cup, Reese’s invites candy and creativity to meet in a cup.

This time, they took inspiration from the decadent, gooey center of a chocolate lava cake and created the Chocolate Lava Big Cup. It starts with a Big Cup, which is the familiar mix of milk and peanut butter — but with way more peanut butter than a standard Reese’s Cup. Then it adds a layer of decadent chocolate flavor that mimics the center of a chocolate lava cake. The result? Well, that’s exactly what I wanted to know.

I got my hands on this new flavor and tested my taste buds to see if it’s worth adding to your candy stash. Short answer: yes, absolutely! You can read more about my methodology at the end of the article. In the meantime, follow the lava flow and read on to learn more about the Chocolate Lava Big Cup, find out what sets it apart, and see how it stacks up against its Big Cup brethren.

Read more: 12 Popular Ice Cream Brands, Ranked From Worst to Best

What’s inside?

The Reese’s Chocolate Lava Big Cup packaging describes the treat as “milk chocolate and peanut butter with chocolatey filling.” But that might be slightly understating what’s inside. According to a press release from The Hershey Company shared with Mashed, the chocolatey filling is nothing short of “gooey.” In fact, it’s “gooey” in the best possible way, as the decadent center of a chocolate lava cake inspired the Big Cup’s new filling.

Now let’s get down to business—or should I say nuts and chocolate? The first ingredient is good old milk chocolate, which contains the same ingredients found in a classic Reese’s Big Cup: sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, nonfat milk, milk fat, lactose, lecithin (soy), and PGPR (a chocolate emulsifier, not a Star Wars droid). Next up are peanuts, along with high fructose corn syrup, sugar, and dextrose. That’s followed by a long list of other ingredients that make up 2% or less of the cup. For those concerned about allergens, the Reese’s Chocolate Lava Big Cup contains peanuts, milk, and soy. It is, however, gluten-free.

How much does it cost?

How will buying a package of melted chocolate impact your wallet? To cut to the chase, the Hershey Company’s online store is currently offering a box of 16 Chocolate Lava Big Cups for $15.99, plus potential shipping. Free ground shipping is available with a minimum order, and depending on timing and weather, the chocolate can be kept chilled during transit with ice packs.

If you’re going grocery shopping in real life, the price of a large bowl of Reese’s Chocolate Lava will vary a bit from market to market and store to store. The new flavor comes in both regular and king sizes, and you can expect the price to be similar to other Reese’s products of the same type and size.

For example, at my local Safeway, whether it’s the regular Big Cup, the caramel Big Cup, or the adventurous Big Cup with Reese’s Puffs, they’re all available for just a buck. My local Target is currently selling the king-size two-packs, including the regular Big Cup and the caramel Big Cup, for $1.99. Soon, the Lava Chocolate Big Cup will make its way onto these lists, likely at the same low prices as the other Big Cups.

When and where is it available?

Starting in August, Reese’s Chocolate Lava Big Cup will be available at retailers nationwide. You can get this melty newcomer in a regular size (a single 1.4-ounce Big Cup) or a king size (two Big Cups for twice the fun).

As for the fate of this volcanic adventure? Only time (and taste buds) will tell. Will the Chocolate Lava Big Cup cement its place on the shelves or join the list of discontinued Reese’s candies we’ll never eat again? Judging by its predecessors, the odds seem good: Big Cups are doing well. The Chocolate Lava Big Cup’s release follows the success of the Reese’s Caramel Big Cup, which came out in November 2023. And a few years ago, crunchy innovations like the Reese’s Big Cup with Potato Chips and the Reese’s Big Cup with Reese’s Puffs propelled the brand to a record year in 2021. We’ll see what happens when the new flavor hits the scene.

How does it compare to other Reese’s cups?

The new Chocolate Lava Big Cup is the latest heavyweight in Reese’s Big Cup lineup, matching the weight of the classic Big Cup and the Caramel Big Cup. Each version weighs 1.4 ounces and stands nearly 1 inch tall with a 2-inch diameter. Of course, all of that comes with a big bite of Reese’s signature peanut butter.

Texture-wise, the Chocolate Lava Big Cup is similar to the Reese’s Caramel Big Cup. The creamy milk chocolate exterior we know and love surrounds the rich peanut butter filling. In the Caramel Big Cup, you bite into a gooey layer of caramel on the bottom. Replace that gooey layer of caramel with a gooey layer of chocolate and you get the Chocolate Lava Big Cup.

As for flavor, I find the chocolate layer works better than the caramel layer. The caramel in the Caramel Mug makes a bold statement like, “Taste me, taste me!” while the melted chocolate in the Chocolate Lava Mug blends perfectly, showcasing the classic peanut butter and chocolate combo without stealing the show.

What about nutrition?

Some stats to start: The 40-gram Chocolate Lava Big Cup has 190 calories and 10 grams of total fat, which is comparable to the Caramel Big Cup and just slightly less than the regular Big Cup. The Chocolate Lava Big Cup also has 115 milligrams of sodium, 24 total carbs, and 22 grams of total sugars.

Let’s not forget the second ingredient in Chocolate Lava Big Cup: peanuts. Peanuts have a lot of good qualities, like being a source of protein and fiber. Chocolate Lava Big Cup provides 3 grams of protein and one gram of fiber (that’s 4% of the recommended daily value). Plus, you get a little bonus in the form of 2% of your recommended daily value of calcium, 6% of your recommended daily value of iron, and a pinch of potassium with 2%. So enjoy your sweet tooth and don’t let anyone claim that these candies are empty calories.

Goodbye

I have to admit: I’ve always preferred the standard peanut butter cup to the large cup. The chocolate-to-peanut butter ratio is perfect in the classic shape. I know I’m not alone: ​​Reese’s fans are often divided into two camps: those eager to innovate and those who don’t want to mess with success. But when I heard about the large chocolate lava cup, I was intrigued: It’s hard not to get excited about a candy inspired by the oozing insides of a gooey chocolate cake.

At first glance and smell, the new cup looked and smelled exactly like a regular Big Cup. Unlike the caramel Big Cup, which greets you with a burst of caramel before you even take a bite, there was no distinct “chocolate lava” aroma to give me a clue as to what was inside. So I approached cautiously, biting slowly as if afraid it might actually be hot. Of course, it wasn’t—it’s not real, hot chocolate like in a lava cake. But it is real chocolatey flavor like in a lava cake. And just the right amount. It solves the ratio dilemma I’ve always had with the regular Big Cup by bringing the chocolate back into harmony with that big peanut butter filling. And the gooey texture of the chocolate lava squishes nicely into the peanut butter as you take a bite. Anyone who thought of taking inspiration from a dessert like chocolate lava cake deserves a round of applause – the Chocolate Lava Big Cup is decadent and delicious.

Methodology

A representative from the Hershey Company kindly sent me some courtesy samples to review, but the company had absolutely no say in the content of this article. I tasted the Reese’s Chocolate Lava Big Cup, as well as the regular Big Cup and the Caramel Big Cup for comparison. I based my opinion on this first-hand experience. I encourage you to do your own taste tests, you won’t regret it.

Read the original article on Mashed.