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    Urban Bliss Life » Blog » Healthy Peanut Butter Cups (Paleo, Vegan, Dairy-free options)

    Published: May 13, 2016 / Updated: March 3, 2021 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Healthy Peanut Butter Cups (Paleo, Vegan, Dairy-free options)

    29 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These homemade healthy peanut butter cups with silky chocolate are so easy and better for you than store-bought versions!

    Healthy Peanut Butter Cups recipe on UrbanBlissLife.com

    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

    homemade 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!

    Easy Homemade Healthy Peanut Butter Cups on UrbanBlissLife.com

    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.

    stack of 3 healthier peanut butter cups.

    Easy 3-Ingredient Healthier Peanut Butter Cups

    5 from 6 votes
    Prep Time: 5 mins
    Cook Time: 30 mins
    Total Time: 35 mins
    Recipe by Marlynn Schotland
    You only need 3 ingredients to make these easy healthier peanut butter cups!
    Servings: 24
    Calories: 74kcal
    PRINT PIN RATE

    Ingredients

    • 1¼ 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 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners -- OR 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 1½ 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 chocolate mixture into the bottom of each cupcake liner, just enough to create an even base layer. This is about 1 teaspoon for mini cupcake liners, and about 2-3 teaspoons for regular sized cupcake linersPlace in the refrigerator to chill.
    • Meanwhile, melt 1½ tablespoons coconut oil in a large bowl in the microwave. Whisk in the peanut butter 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 to create a middle layer in each cupcake liner. Refrigerate for about 10 minutes.
    • Once the peanut butter layer is firm, pour another teaspoonful (or 2-3 teaspoons for regular cupcake liners) 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.

    Notes

    Makes: 12 regular sized peanut butter cups or 24 mini peanut butter cups
    Storage: Store in an airtight food storage container in the refrigerator for up to one week. You can also freeze these in freezer-safe containers or freezer bags for up to one month.
    Tried this recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment! Then snap a pic of your dish and share it on social media. Tag @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 74kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 42mg | Potassium: 67mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 13IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 0.2mg

    Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.

    PIN IT

    homemade chocolate peanut butter cups

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. julie Christy says

        March 23, 2019 at 6:17 pm

        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.

        Reply
      2. Decor Aid says

        June 08, 2016 at 7:38 pm

        5 stars
        These look FABULOUS - can't wait to make them, even if they won't look as pretty as yours!

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          June 09, 2016 at 11:51 am

          Thank you! And all it takes is a cupcake wrapper to make the sides look pretty :)

      3. Lindsay says

        May 19, 2016 at 11:39 am

        Oh yes to these!

        Reply
      4. Nicole @ Work|Wear|Wander says

        May 16, 2016 at 5:37 pm

        These look seriously delicious! I can't wait to try them!

        Reply
      5. Warren @ Blog to Taste says

        May 16, 2016 at 3:59 pm

        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.

        Reply
      6. Lindsay says

        May 14, 2016 at 10:38 pm

        Oh my goodness if I had all these ingredients I would totally be making these tonight! YUM!

        Reply
      7. Hannah says

        May 14, 2016 at 9:49 pm

        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 :)

        Reply
      8. Jenn says

        May 14, 2016 at 8:50 pm

        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.

        Reply
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      Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

      Hi! Thanks for stopping by! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. Here you'll find my fast, easy, and delicious recipes, wine pairings, and travel guides. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

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