Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Recipe Debate: Hershey Responds as Cocoa Prices Shift

The grandson of H.B. Reese, founder of the iconic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, has publicly criticized The Hershey Company over alleged changes to the brand’s classic recipe. In an open letter shared on LinkedIn, Brad Reese expressed concern that the beloved candy’s traditional formula of milk chocolate and peanut butter is being altered in favor of lower-cost ingredients.

According to Reese, some products in the expanding Reese’s lineup have replaced milk chocolate with compound coatings and traditional peanut butter with peanut-butter-style crème fillings. He argued that the original “milk chocolate + peanut butter” combination was the foundation of the brand’s identity and long-standing popularity among chocolate lovers.

The Hershey Company, which merged with the Reese company in the 1960s, denied making drastic formulation changes. In a statement, Hershey said that as the Reese’s product line has grown to include new shapes, sizes, and limited-edition varieties, recipe adjustments have been necessary. The company emphasized that it remains committed to preserving the signature blend of chocolate and peanut butter that defines Reese’s candies.

The controversy comes after cocoa prices surged to a record high above $12,000 per metric ton in late 2024, prompting many chocolate manufacturers to explore cost-cutting strategies. Across the confectionery industry, companies reformulated certain products, reduced package sizes, or substituted cocoa butter and cocoa powder with alternative ingredients to offset rising costs.

However, cocoa prices have since dropped more than 70% as demand softened and global supply improved. Consumers reduced chocolate purchases during the price spike, while farmers in major cocoa-producing countries such as Ghana and Ivory Coast are now facing oversupply and struggling to sell stockpiled beans.

As debates over ingredients and quality continue, Reese’s fans are watching closely to see how Hershey balances innovation, cost management, and brand tradition in one of America’s most popular chocolate brands.