Hershey to Restore Classic Reese's Recipes After Criticism

Company says it will shift all Reese's products back to original milk chocolate and peanut butter formulas by 2027.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:35pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Hershey announced it will revert all Reese's products to their classic milk chocolate and peanut butter recipes starting next year, following criticism from the grandson of Reese's founder about the company using cheaper ingredients in some items. The company also said it plans to increase R&D funding by 25% and make other changes to its sweets portfolio, including transitioning to natural colors and enhancing the creaminess of Kit Kat.

Why it matters

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups have long been a beloved American candy, and the brand's reputation is closely tied to the quality of its signature ingredients. Hershey's decision to address customer concerns about recipe changes reflects the importance of maintaining consumer trust in iconic food brands.

The details

Hershey said it will shift all Reese's products, including items like mini Easter eggs that previously used a less chocolatey coating, back to the classic milk chocolate and peanut butter formulas by 2027. The company acknowledged that high cocoa prices had led it and other manufacturers to experiment with using less chocolate in some products in recent years.

  • Hershey announced the changes on April 1, 2026.
  • The company said it will complete the transition to classic Reese's recipes by 2027.

The players

Hershey

The Hershey Company, a major American chocolate and confectionery manufacturer based in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Brad Reese

The grandson of H.B. Reese, the inventor of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, who publicly criticized Hershey for changing the recipes of Reese's products.

H.B. Reese

The inventor of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, who founded his own candy company in 1919 after working at Hershey for two years.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“How does The Hershey Co. continue to position Reese's as its flagship brand, a symbol of trust, quality and leadership, while quietly replacing the very ingredients (Milk Chocolate + Peanut Butter) that built Reese's trust in the first place?”

— Brad Reese, Grandson of Reese's Founder

“Hershey is committed to making products consumers love and that means continually reviewing our recipes to meet evolving tastes and preferences.”

— Hershey

What’s next

Hershey said it plans to increase its research and development funding by 25% next year as part of its efforts to enhance its product portfolio.

The takeaway

Hershey's decision to restore the classic Reese's recipes demonstrates the importance of maintaining the integrity of iconic food brands, even in the face of cost pressures. The move highlights the power of consumer feedback and the need for companies to balance innovation with preserving the core qualities that made a product successful in the first place.