In December 2023, a Florida woman sued Reese’s because her pumpkin-shaped peanut-butter-cup did not have eyes and a mouth like the packaging advertised. According to USA Today, the woman sued for $5 million for false and deceptive advertising.
While her actions might have been a little extreme, the woman understands the experience of eating a peanut butter cup in a different shape is better than the original.
Reese’s Peanut butter cups taste better in fun shapes. The special shapes add extra excitement, making it more than just a tasty treat. The company has over 100 options for a peanut-butter-chocolate treat. A wide variety of shaped cups from the Reese’s company needs more recognition and appreciation.
According the Hershey Land, the first ever funky-shaped cup was an egg in celebration of Easter. Since then, Reese’s has introduced a special shape for almost all holidays. Valentines hearts, Halloween ghosts, bats and pumpkins, Christmas bells, snowmen and trees, and even Superbowl footballs. The popularity of the shapes is 100 percent justified – shapes just somehow taste better than the original.
Oftentimes, interesting shapes in objects are more fun. The zoo animal plates from daycare, the bendy pencils from elementary school and the Silly Bandz from middle school were all classic items with a little twist with fun shapes-just like Reese’s Peanut Butter cups and their take on the original cups.
Something about the ratio of chocolate to peanut butter ends up creating a better tasting cup. Both ingredients have heightened flavors in a pumpkin compared to the original cookie cut circle. The original shape does not have an even chocolate coverage, and the peanut butter is not as creamy as it is in the shaped cups.
Reese’s recently came out with unwrapped mini eggs to compliment their Easter eggs- a genius idea on their part- but the next shape the design team should consider adding to the shelves are specialty shapes for the Fourth of July. A star would be a perfect addition for the holiday, but any summer-shaped cup would ensure a special peanut butter cup could be enjoyed all year round.