You probably have seen various versions like this online. Considering all the bad stuff that is in commercial chocolate bars nowadays, no wonder everyone wants to start making their own at home! It’s simple to make (no special skills required), and small kids and big kids will go crazy for these Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups! Everyone will love that they contain no white sugar or dairy!
I looked at several recipes online but none of them appealed to me, there was always something wrong with it: either the recipe was using soy or milk, or it just had way too much sugar. Since I didn’t want any of that, I had to make my own. No baking required either, perfect when you don’t want your oven on!
Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Why are these chocolate peanut butter cups healthier? Well, as mentioned, no white sugar is always a good thing. White sugar can create spikes of glucose in your blood, creating imbalance, and even has been shown to lower the immune system for several hours, making you more susceptible to get sick. Refined white sugar can be addictive too: the more we eat, the more we need!
Along with no white sugar, by using organic chocolate, you also reduce your exposure to pesticides (the farmers too), as well as enjoy a much higher quality chocolate. Chocolate can be good for us since it contains natural antioxidants and minerals such as magnesium, which helps our muscles, including our heart.
Here’s what I came up with and, even though I was never a fan of the commercial peanut butter cups, I gotta say, these are delicious. Not too sweet, but just enough! I used a bit of real maple syrup to sweeten it. The chocolate is made creamy by using a thicker version of my homemade cashew milk and maple syrup. Yummy! I must add that it is of the utmost importance to use high quality ingredients if you want a high quality result. Things like using organic chocolate, natural peanut butter, and real maple syrup will make this recipe.
Enjoy!
Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups | Vegan, Refined Sugar-Free, Soy-Free
A much healthier version of a classic chocolate peanut butter cup!
Ingredients
Chocolate Cups
- 300 g semi-sweet organic chocolate
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
- 1/4 cup cashew cream thicker version of my homemade cashew milk
- 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup
- a pinch of sea salt
Peanut Butter Filing
- 1/2 cup natural organic peanut butter smooth
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup cashew cream thicker version of my homemade cashew milk
Toppings (optional)
- Fleur de Sel optional
- dry roasted peanuts optional
Instructions
- In a small pot over low heat, melt the chocolate (mix it with a small rubber spatula once you see the bottom part is melted). Turn the heat off, then whisk in the coconut oil, then cashew cream, maple syrup and sea salt. Remove from heat.
- Mix the peanut butter filling in a small mixing bowl.
- Line your muffin tin with paper liners. Depending on which size you’re using, drop a small amount of the melted chocolate mixture at the bottom of each cup (approx. 1 tsp for mini, 1 Tbsp for large). Make sure you have about half of the chocolate left for the tops.
(If you want the "layered effect", put in the freezer for 15 min to set, then continue with the steps.) Drop some of the peanut butter mixture into each (approx. 1 tsp for mini and 2 Tbsp for large), the quantity is really up to you, how big you want your cups to be and how much you can fit in.
When you’ve distributed everything, drop the rest of the melted chocolate on top of each cups and spread flat with a small rubber spatula or a spoon. If you want, add the decorative fleur de sel and/or chopped peanuts on top, and put in the freezer for about 30 minutes or so (the large cups might need to stay for 1 hour).
Recipe Notes
Once they’re cold and set, you can put them in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for 1-2 weeks, or in the freezer for 3-4 weeks or so.
Note: I do not believe anyone should worry about counting calories, but here is the nutritional information for one serving
Calories: 119kcal | Fat: 7g | Saturated fat: 3g | Sodium: 34mg | Potassium: 118mg | Carbohydrates: 11g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Protein: 2g | Vitamin A: 5% | Calcium: 15% | Iron: 0.9%
These are so much better than the store bought alternatives! I Love These! Highly recommended!
Okay. Real talk? I have been obsessing over these since you posted them. I don’t bake a lot, so I’m always afraid to try new desserts, but I might just have to get over it and make these because PB cups are one of my all-time faves and if they’re healthy (okay okay, health-IER), I need them in my life.
Yes, do it! It’s like making your homemade ketchup, you’ll be wondering how you lived without it all your life. 😉 And they really are healthy, as long as you don’t eat the whole tray in a day, of course! hahaha
They look even better than the original! I’ve never been a fan of them, either, way too sweet for me, but I’m liking all the ingredients in these cups. Plus it’s a no-bake, so fast and easy! Thanks, Gabby! Now I have to make your brownies and these beautiful chocolate peanut butter cups.
🙂 haha I’m giving you work! It’s a nice treat without all the sweetness that lingers, and no weird ingredients or high fructose corn syrup!
Like you, I don’t like the original Peanut Butter Cups–so sickly sweet! Your recipe is divine. It’s always great to offer a healthier alternative at Hallowe’en time.
Thanks Elaine!
I would make homemade peanut butter cups all the time as a kid, but they weren’t as healthy as yours! These look and sound delicious!! I would much rather snack on these this upcoming Halloween than any of those store bought treats. Can’t wait to try ’em 🙂
Ooooh than I already know you will love these! So simple to make and just a few good-for-you ingredients 🙂
I love hearing that something this yummy-looking is healthy! That means I can eat as many as I want, right?
haha well, moderation is still a good quality, no matter what 😉 but you know that eating a few will not be bad for you
So, I’m not a fan of the store bought ones, but I Love real peanut butter and real chocolate, so these are a must try. They look amazing!
Thank you Colleen! I know you will enjoy these for sure!
These have my name written alllll over it! I am a gigantic peanut butter cup fan, so any way to curb my constant cravings for them in a healthier way is totally okay with me. Can’t wait to try this recipe out! I love the idea of freezing the bottom chocolate layer before adding the pb layer to get that beautiful layering effect. I actually made homemade pb cups for Valentine’s Day a few years back, and I recall having trouble getting them to set properly; I ended up having to paint chocolate onto the little wrappers before adding in the filling, and, although they turned out delicious, it was no easy feat. I am thinking this recipe might be a heck of a lot easier!
And ps: your photos are absolutely gorgeous. No one in their right mind could resist the beauty of those peanut butter cup photos, seriously. Absolutely amazing!
hahaha Thank you so much! I’m sure you’ll love these, very easy to make, and yes, the freezing bit makes it easier to have the layered effect, but if you’re impatient, dumping a little ball of PB mixture into it works too! I don’t think I’d be patient enough to actually painting the chocolate on! 🙂