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Making your own homemade peanut butter cups is the ultimate healthier treat. Not only are they a delicious snack, but these copycat Reese’s peanut butter cups are also incredibly easy to make. All you need is six natural ingredients – rich dark chocolate, natural peanut butter, peanut powder, maple syrup, coconut oil, and a little salt.
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These homemade peanut butter cups are the kind of simple, super delicious treat that makes eating real food easy. They are the perfect combination of chocolate goodness and creamy peanut butter deliciousness. Sweet but not too sweet and rich but not too rich! They make excellent gifts, or you can keep them for yourself when you need a healthier chocolatey treat. Plus, they’re lots of fun to make. I hope you love this recipe as much as I do!
This Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Recipe is:
Refined sugar-free
Vegan-friendly
Healthier than branded versions!
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Your Own Peanut Butter Cups
These super tasty snacks come together with just six simple ingredients. Here’s what’s included.
- Dark Chocolate Chips: I’m using chocolate chips for this recipe as I like their convenience – they melt quickly and evenly. I like to use dairy-free chocolate chips that are at least 70% cocoa and refined sugar-free. So, I’m using Nibble Simply Divinely Dark Madagascan Chocolate Chips. It only contains four natural ingredients, including cocoa, coconut sugar, cocoa butter, and vanilla extract – making it vegan-friendly too! But you can use your favorite kind of chocolate. Just be sure that the type of chocolate you use is a good quality chocolate.
- Natural Peanut Butter: I use smooth peanut butter to replicate a Reese’s candy cup. However, use crunchy peanut butter if preferred.
- Pure Peanut Powder: Ground peanuts act like flour to naturally thicken the peanut butter filling with a complementary peanutty flavor.
- Maple Syrup: For sweetness. Although, you can leave it out if you want a sugar-free snack.
- Coconut Oil: Softens the chocolate when it sets, so you get less of a snap. I’m using refined coconut oil – a neutral-tasting oil that won’t add a coconut flavor to these peanut butter cups. Refined coconut oil is still a natural product, but the coconut taste is removed by steaming and filtering. I use Biona Organic 100% Natural Coconut Oil Cuisine-Odourless.
- Salt: To make the flavors sing!!
How to Make Healthy Peanut Butter Cups ~ Step-By-Step
These peanut butter cups are so fun to prepare. Here’s what you need to do.
- Peanut Butter Mixture
Add the peanut butter, peanut powder, maple syrup, and salt to a medium bowl. Combine with a spatula until a sticky dough forms. You could use an electric mixer, but there’s really no need. The mixture comes together easily mixing by hand.
- Melt Chocolate
Place half the chocolate chips and coconut oil into a small microwave-safe bowl. Then, move it into the microwave and heat the chocolate in 30-second intervals. Stir after each interval so the melted coconut oil combines with the chocolate, and everything melts evenly without scorching. Use a double boiler if you prefer.
- Chocolate Base Layer
Pour a tablespoon of melted chocolate into the bottom of the liner. Use the spoon to spread the chocolate up the sides of the cups. Then pop the tin into the freezer until the chocolate has set.
- Peanut Butter Center
Take a tablespoon of the peanut butter (or use a small dough scoop) and create 24 peanut butter balls. Remove the chocolate bases from the freezer and press the peanut butter ball into the center of each paper liner. Leave some space at the edges so the chocolate top layer covers the peanut butter.
- Chocolate Top Layer
Place the remaining chocolate chips and coconut oil into a small bowl. Once again, heat in 30-second intervals until the chocolate has melted. Then, pour a tablespoonful of chocolate over the top of the peanut butter. If you want, decorate with extra flakey sea salt or chopped peanuts.
- Enjoy!
Let the chocolate set at room temperature. Once set, dig into your new favorite treat and enjoy!
Full recipe and ingredient list in the recipe card below.
Jump to RecipeTips for Making the Perfect Peanut Butter Treat
Chop the chocolate into small pieces.
If you use a block of chocolate (chocolate bar), chop it into small pieces. This will help the chocolate melt evenly and quickly. If you’re using chips or chunks, there’s no need to chop them further.
Melt the chocolate slowly.
Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate, which can cause it to seize up or burn. Alternatively, you can place the chocolate in a heat-proof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir the chocolate until it has completely melted.
~ Culinary Medicine Scoop ~
What are the Potential Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate?
Dark chocolate has many health benefits and has a place in a balanced, nutritious diet. However, it is important to mention that dark chocolate still contains sugar and calories, so it is best eaten in moderation.
1Dark Chocolate is Packed with Antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds that help to protect the body against damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause cell damage and lead to chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Dark chocolate is particularly rich in flavonoid antioxidants that have demonstrated powerful anti-inflammatory benefits1,2.
2Dark Chocolate May Improve Cholesterol Levels
High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, especially with increased levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and decreased levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. Studies have found that consuming dark chocolate can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in the blood while increasing HDL (good) cholesterol3.
More Delicious Snacks
- Homemade Chocolate Buttons
- 38 Healthy Matcha Green Tea Snacks and Desserts
- Coconut Blueberry Wholemeal Muffins
- Easy Candied Walnuts
Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups ~ Full Recipe
Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Equipment
- Small Bowls
- Tablespoon
Ingredients
- 1 cup (250 g) natural peanut butter
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp peanut powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt flakes
- 1 cup (170 g) dark chocolate chips
- 1 tsp refined coconut oil
- 1 cup (170 g) dark chocolate chips
- 1 tsp refined coconut oil
- chopped peanuts & sea salt flakes
Instructions
- Prep: Gather and prepare your ingredients. Line a 24-hole mini muffin tin with mini cupcake liners.
- Peanut Butter Mixture: Add the peanut butter, maple syrup, peanut powder, and salt to a medium bowl. Combine with a spatula until a sticky dough forms. You could use an electric mixer, but there’s really no need. The mixture comes together easily mixing by hand.
- Melt the Chocolate: Place half of the chocolate chips and coconut oil into a small microwave-safe bowl. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat in 30-second intervals. Stir after each interval so the melted coconut oil combines with the chocolate, and everything melts evenly without scorching. Use a double boiler if you prefer.
- Chocolate Base Layer: Pour a tablespoon of melted chocolate into the bottom of the liner. Use the spoon to spread the chocolate up the sides of the cups. Then pop the tin into the freezer until the chocolate has set ~ about 8 minutes.
- Peanut Butter Layer: Meanwhile, create 24 peanut butter balls using a tablespoon or small ice-cream scoop. Remove the chocolate cups from the freezer and press the peanut butter ball into the center of each. Leave some space at the edges so the chocolate top layer will cover and seal the peanut butter in the cup.
- Chocolate Top Layer: Place the remaining chocolate chips and coconut oil into a small bowl. Once again, heat in 30-second intervals until the chocolate melts. Then, pour a tablespoonful of chocolate over the top of each peanut butter cup. If you'd like, decorate with flakey sea salt or chopped peanuts.
- Enjoy! Let the chocolate set at room temperature. Once set, dig into your new favorite treat and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
I can’t wait for you to make these peanut butter cups! Get in touch via the comments section, and let me know how they turn out.
Thanks for stopping by!
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