These homemade healthy peanut butter cups with silky chocolate are so easy and better for you than store-bought versions!
Peanut butter cups may be the perfect sweet treat. I mean, let's be real... Chocolate is divine on its own. I've never understood people who claim they're "not big on chocolate." What the WHAT?! Have they even ever had good chocolate? Real chocolate?
And while chocolate is my kryptonite, chocolate + peanut butter -- now that's my sweet tooth heaven.
Easy Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Growing up, I always loved Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. I especially loved the smaller mini peanut butter cups that used to come in a box, frolicking inside and co-mingling all loosey goosey – before the minis started being individually wrapped.
I'm not sure what it was that made those different than the individually wrapped minis you get in bags/boxes at the store today, but man alive, those original minis were amazing!
So now I'm (reportedly) all grown up, but my love for this candy hasn't wavered.
As with most store-bought items, I've made my own version at home a few times now. These homemade healthy peanut butter cups only have 3 ingredients, can easily be made vegan, paleo, and/or dairy-free, and any way you make them, they are absolutely delicious!
How do I make this recipe paleo?
To make this PALEO, use almond butter instead of peanut butter
How do I make these peanut butter cups dairy-free and vegan?
To make these dairy-free and vegan desserts, use vegan chocolate.
Ingredients
- 1-¼ cup chocolate I prefer this dairy-free vegan chocolate
- ¾ cup peanut butter for paleo: substitute with almond butter
- 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil divided
Instructions
- Prepare a 24-cup mini muffin tin with mini cupcake liners. The liners give the sides of each peanut butter cup that classic ridged edge look.
- Melt the chocolate and 1-½ tablespoons coconut oil over a double boiler until just melted. If you don't have a double boiler, simply melt in a glass bowl over a simmering pot of water.
- Pour approximately 1 teaspoonful of chocolate mixture into the bottom of each cupcake liner, just enough to create an even base layer. Place in the refrigerator to chill.
- Meanwhile, melt 1-½ tablespoons coconut oil in the microwave. Mix with peanut butter in a large bowl until well blended. Set aside.
- Once the first chocolate layers have hardened, remove from the refrigerator and pour just enough of the peanut butter mixture, approximately 1 teaspoon, to create a middle layer in each cupcake liner. Refrigerate for about 10 minutes.
- Once the peanut butter layer is firm, pour another teaspoonful of the remaining chocolate mixture to create a top layer for each peanut butter cup. Refrigerate for another 10 minutes.
- Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week... but I bet they won't even last that long!
PIN IT
Marye says
Nothing compares to the flavor of peanut butter and chocolate together. These look absolutely delicious!
Will G says
O.M.G. you just made my day.... <3 these look amazing!
Sophia says
These look much healthier and better then the store bought cups.
Robyn Proctor says
These look delicious! I'll have to make these at Christmastime:)
Meagan says
I so wish my child was not allergic to peanut butter. I miss it so much.
Denay DeGuzman says
Oh my goodness! These chocolate peanut butter cups look amazing. I love making homemade Reese's and your recipe is so sweet and simple - just how I like it. Have a great weekend, and thanks for sharing. :-)
Pech says
This is my favorite way to have chocolate - with nuts!!!
Brittany Giles says
This would get me in so much trouble! They look amazing!
Madeline says
Reeses cups are amazing and I love that these are homemade!
Maggie Unzueta says
Ooooooh my word. I must make these chocolate peanut butter cups ASAP!
Michele Francisco says
We are ADDICTED to the little ones available at Trader Joe's so it will be fun to make your recipe and do a side-by-side tasting.
ruthie says
These look absolutely incredible!!! SO YUM and I love that there are very few calories! Your photography is perfection!! xo
Morgan says
YUM! Those look delish. And I LOVE Justin's nut butters!
Rachel says
YES please! Reese's are my favorite - I need to make these!
Angie says
Yummmmm! I could eat these all day. I shouldn't, but I totally would.
Lauren says
These look great! Gotta love chocolate and peanut butter!
Jennifer Ostroski says
Shut the front door. I am trying these tomorrow, they look absolutely amazing! I already have two out of three ingredients... yesssss!
Ashleigh says
This looks like such a wonderful treat recipe! I know what I'm making this weekend for the kids! Thank you for sharing!
Cait says
These look SO GOOD! Thanks for sharing.
Karin says
These look soooo good! Peanut Butter and Chocolate are my jam!
Adriana says
Love the idea of doing this with almond butter looks so good great for gifting too =)
Chrisy @ Homemade Hooplah says
Love how simple these are! My husband adores peanut butter cups - I'll have to try these for him :D
Kim says
I sort of love you right now. This is AMAZING. I wish I had oodles of these in front of me right now.
Bella B (xoxoBella) says
These turned out so perfect. Mine never look that pretty! You can go wrong with a PB and chocolate combination.
Jessica Bradshaw says
Yes!! These are perfection! I cannot wait to try these.
Liv says
I had no idea you could make those yourself!! This is wonderful - thanks so much!!
Heather says
I have a family member who is crazy about peanut butter. he is going to love these!
Miriah says
I am going to make these today! Thank you!!!
Aileen (Aileen Cooks Blog) says
These look so yummy and I love that they are minis!
Sabrina says
My kids love peanut butter cups! Thanks for the great idea to make these at home!
Jenn says
Oh yummy! I've always loved peanut butter cups but haven't had them in some time since I stay away from dairy. These sound simple enough to make at home. I cannot wait to try these. Thanks for sharing.
Hannah says
I'd love to make my own chocolate peanut butter cups. They would be fun to make, although I would be tempted to eat them all myself :)
Lindsay says
Oh my goodness if I had all these ingredients I would totally be making these tonight! YUM!
Warren @ Blog to Taste says
Sometimes I feel like your posts are written specifically for me. This post speaks to me. I love Reese's, but it might be dangerous if I start making my own.
Nicole @ Work|Wear|Wander says
These look seriously delicious! I can't wait to try them!
Lindsay says
Oh yes to these!
Decor Aid says
These look FABULOUS - can't wait to make them, even if they won't look as pretty as yours!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thank you! And all it takes is a cupcake wrapper to make the sides look pretty :)
julie Christy says
I just made these! I used a regular sized 12 muffin pan, so I made 12 big ones! I did make a bit more of the chocolate part as I used the majority of the chocolate on the bottom layer! My husband's favorite candy is Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. These are definitely healthier made with natural peanut butter! They tasted very good. Only issue I had was the peanut butter layer did not set up. So next time I think I will try adding a bit more coconut oil with the PB layer.