Hershey Announces Changes to Reese's and Other Chocolate Products

The iconic candy company is updating recipes for select items while keeping Reese's Peanut Butter Cups unchanged.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 3:21am

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The Hershey Company has announced recipe changes for some of its most popular chocolate products, including a small portion of its Reese's and Hershey's lines. While the core recipes for Hershey's chocolate bars and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups will remain the same, the company says it is enhancing other items to better align with consumer preferences. This includes using more natural ingredients and improving the creaminess of Kit Kat bars.

Why it matters

Hershey's is one of the world's largest chocolate manufacturers, so any changes to its iconic brands can have a significant impact on consumer expectations and the broader confectionery market. The company is aiming to stay ahead of evolving tastes while maintaining the core recipes that have made its products beloved for generations.

The details

The upcoming changes will affect a small portion of Hershey's and Reese's products, bringing them more in line with the classic milk and dark chocolate recipes. The recipe for Kit Kat bars will also be enhanced to provide a creamier taste and texture. Hershey says it will use colors from natural sources, following a trend among food manufacturers. The company maintains that the recipes for its Hershey's chocolate bars and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups have not changed.

  • The recipe changes will take effect next year.
  • Earlier this year, Brad Reese, the grandson of the inventor of the Reese's brand, criticized the company for allegedly changing the original Reese's Peanut Butter Cup recipe.

The players

The Hershey Company

A major American chocolate manufacturer that produces iconic brands like Hershey's, Reese's, and Kit Kat.

Brad Reese

The grandson of H.B. Reese, the inventor of the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.

Todd Scott

The Corporate Brand and Editorial Manager at The Hershey Company.

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What they’re saying

“Reese's identity is being rewritten by decisions that replaced milk chocolate with compound coating and peanut butter with 'peanutbutterstyle cremes' across several Reese's products.”

— Brad Reese, Grandson of Reese's inventor

What’s next

The Hershey Company has not provided specific details on when the recipe changes will be implemented or how they will impact the overall product lineup and pricing.

The takeaway

Hershey's is walking a fine line between maintaining the classic recipes that have made its brands iconic while also adapting to evolving consumer preferences for more natural ingredients and product innovations. The company's ability to balance tradition and change will be crucial in retaining customer loyalty in the competitive confectionery market.