I Love Reese’s Day (May 18)

ByClare Brown Posted on Updated on

I Love Reese’s Day is celebrated every year on May 18th, giving fans a reason (not that we need one) to fully embrace the magic of chocolate and peanut butter.

Whether you’re savoring a classic cup, baking with Reese’s Pieces, or exploring the candy’s history, this sweet celebration is a crowd favorite. It’s one of the tastiest weird holidays in May.

When is the Holiday?

I Love Reese’s Day is celebrated annually on May 18th.

Who Invented It?

The origins are a bit hazy, but the day likely emerged from passionate fans or clever marketing by The Hershey Company.

While there’s no official founding moment, it’s now widely recognized by candy lovers and promoted on social media and food blogs alike.

The History of the Holiday

Though unofficial, the holiday has gained traction in the last decade as fans took to the internet to celebrate their favorite candy.

With Hershey’s backing, the day has become part celebration, part brand showcase—highlighting the legacy of H.B. Reese and the candy that’s stood the test of time.

Top 5 Facts About the Holiday

  1. H.B. Reese worked for Milton Hershey before launching his own candy empire.
  2. Reese’s Cups debuted in 1928 and skyrocketed in popularity during WWII.
  3. The original factory was in the basement of Reese’s home in Hershey, PA.
  4. Reese’s Cups are consistently ranked among America’s top Halloween candies.
  5. There’s a viral debate on whether it’s “REE-sis” or “Ree-sees”—Hershey even weighed in.

Activities to Celebrate

Try one or more of these fun and flavorful ideas to mark this sweet holiday:

Share the sweetness – Surprise coworkers, neighbors, or delivery drivers with a small treat bag of Reese’s goodies and a note that says “Happy I Love Reese’s Day!”

Host a Reese’s taste test party – Pick up a variety of Reese’s treats (original, white chocolate, dark chocolate, thins, stuffed, etc.) and compare flavor, texture, and overall favorites with friends or family.

Bake with Reese’s – Use chopped peanut butter cups or Reese’s Pieces to elevate your usual cookies, cupcakes, or brownies. It’s a fun way to turn a favorite recipe into something extra special.

Make your own peanut butter cups – Melt chocolate, spoon it into cupcake liners, add a peanut butter mixture, and top with more chocolate. You can even customize them with sea salt, pretzel bits, or cereal.

Plan a Reese’s-themed dessert buffet – Set out a spread of treats featuring Reese’s candy. Include cookies, truffles, ice cream, and cupcakes with Reese’s as the main ingredient.

Decorate with orange and brown – Turn your kitchen or dining area into a Reese’s celebration zone using the brand’s signature colors. Add balloons, banners, and themed tableware.

Organize a Reese’s scavenger hunt – Hide individually wrapped Reese’s candies around the house or yard and let the kids (or adults) search for them. Include trivia or clues for extra fun.

Create candy-themed art – Use wrappers to make collages, decorate notebooks, or even create a Reese’s bouquet. Great for kids who want to get crafty before indulging.

Have a movie night with a Reese’s snack bar – Choose a favorite film or candy-themed movie and enjoy it with popcorn mixed with chopped Reese’s Pieces or peanut butter cups.

Try Reese’s-inspired drinks – Make milkshakes, hot cocoa, or even mocktails using peanut butter syrup, chocolate, and a garnish of mini cups or crushed Reese’s.

Here are 10 standout recipes perfect for honoring May 18th. These go beyond the basics to include unique twists and creative flavor combos:

  1. Reese’s S’More Parfaits – Layer crushed graham crackers, chocolate pudding, mini marshmallows, and chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in small cups or jars. Chill before serving for a cool, campfire-inspired treat.
  2. Reese’s Bundt Poke Cake – Start with a chocolate cake baked in a bundt pan. After baking, poke holes throughout and pour in a Reese’s peanut butter glaze. Top with chocolate ganache and chopped candy for a rich, gooey finish.
  3. Reese’s Fudge – A simple, no-bake dessert using peanut butter, chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and chopped Reese’s candy. Pour into a pan, chill, and cut into squares.
  4. Reese’s Cheesecake Dip – Blend softened cream cheese, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and chopped Reese’s. Serve with graham crackers, pretzels, or apple slices for dipping. Works well for parties or snacking.
  5. Reese’s Rice Krispie Treats – Add crushed Reese’s Pieces or chopped peanut butter cups to the classic marshmallow cereal mix. Press into a pan and drizzle with melted chocolate and peanut butter.
  6. Reese’s Stuffed Brownies – Pour half your brownie batter into a pan, add a layer of Reese’s cups, then top with the remaining batter. Bake until gooey and rich. These are dense and decadent.
  7. Reese’s Ice Cream Dessert – Crush chocolate cookies for a base, layer with vanilla or peanut butter ice cream, add chopped Reese’s, drizzle with fudge, and freeze until set. Slice and serve cold.
  8. Peanut Butter Cup Pie – Make a graham cracker crust, fill with a no-bake peanut butter and cream cheese filling, and top with whipped cream and chopped Reese’s. Great make-ahead option.
  9. Reese’s Cup Cupcakes – Bake chocolate cupcakes, core the centers, and fill them with melted Reese’s or a peanut butter cream. Top with chocolate frosting and a mini Reese’s for garnish.
  10. Boozy Reese’s Milkshake – Blend vanilla ice cream with crushed peanut butter cups, a splash of milk, and (optional) peanut butter whiskey or chocolate liqueur. Serve with whipped cream and a straw.

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  • Peanut Butter & Chocolate Molds – Ideal for candy lovers who want to get hands-on in the kitchen. These silicone mold kits (available on Amazon) make it easy to create homemade peanut butter cups in fun shapes.
  • Reese’s Coloring Pages – Printable coloring sheets featuring candy-themed designs or stylized Reese’s wrappers. These are fun for younger fans and a creative way to include kids in the celebration. Add crayons and you’ve got an easy themed craft station.
  • “How It’s Made” Candy Episodes – Several episodes of the How It’s Made series explore the candy-making process, from chocolate tempering to mold filling. These are great for older kids or curious adults who want to see the science behind their favorite sweets.

National Peanut Butter Day (January 24) – A must-celebrate for anyone who loves creamy or crunchy. This day honors the rich, nutty spread that forms half of the legendary Reese’s combo. It’s the perfect excuse to make peanut butter cookies, smoothies, or even a nostalgic PB&J.

National Peanut Brittle Day (January 26) – Dedicated to the crunchy, caramelized candy made with peanuts and sugar. It’s a more old-fashioned treat, but for those who love that rich, nutty flavor with a satisfying snap, this day is for you. A fun way to explore different peanut-based sweets beyond Reese’s.

World Nutella Day (February 5) – A celebration of the beloved chocolate-hazelnut spread, started by fans and now officially embraced by Ferrero. While it’s not peanut butter, Nutella pairs surprisingly well with Reese’s in creative desserts like swirled brownies or layered trifles.

Milk Chocolate Day (July 28) – A full day for fans of smooth, sweet milk chocolate—the kind used in classic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Whether you’re baking, snacking, or crafting candy-themed gifts, this is the ideal time to indulge your chocolate cravings.

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