Healthy Peanut Butter Cups (Homemade Reese’s)

These Healthy Peanut Butter Cups (Homemade Reese’s) are the perfect sweet treat for a salty, creamy, delicious peanut and chocolate dessert. Made with natural ingredients such as almond flour, peanut butter, maple syrup, and rich dark chocolate, this recipe is easy to make and refined sugar-free. A treat that you can snack on and share with the kids guilt-free!

This recipe satisfies your sweet tooth without making you spend hours in the kitchen and is loved by adults and kids alike! Ready to make a copycat recipe that tastes better than the store-bought version, doesn’t have all the processed ingredients, AND is gluten and refined sugar-free?

Reasons to Love These Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Who doesn’t love the peanut butter and chocolate combo? This peanut butter cup recipe checks all the boxes and makes you reach for more. Make this recipe once, and these cups will be a forever snack staple in your home!

Here’s why you’ll love the homemade version of Reese’s cups:

• Only a few Ingredients: I love how this recipe uses only simple ingredients. You are all set with creamy peanut butter, pure maple syrup, coconut oil, almond flour for the peanut butter filling, and some decadent dark chocolate chips or milk chocolate for the chocolate layer.
• Healthier Version of Reese’s Cups: These cups are a more nutritious option using natural ingredients like pure maple syrup instead of refined sugar minus all the additional processed ingredients and additives in store-bought chocolate!
• Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free (optional): If you have dietary restrictions or want to make healthy swaps, these homemade cups are a treat you can enjoy. Any nut butter or almond flour is naturally gluten-free. You can easily use dairy-free chocolate to make it suitable for lactose intolerants.

How to Melt Chocolate for These Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

While seemingly straightforward, some readers ask how to melt chocolate to bring it to the perfect consistency, and I get it. Here are two ways to melt chocolate to get that desired thickness for Reese’s peanut butter cups:

Microwave Method:

Using a microwave is the quick and easy method I often use:

• Place chocolate chips or chopped dark or milk chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl.
• Add a teaspoon of refined coconut oil to help the chocolate melt smoothly, and thin it out for pourability.
• Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval.
• Continue until the chocolate is fully melted and glossy.

Double Boiler Method:

The double boiler method is a more traditional, old-fashioned way to melt chocolate, but it is very effective and used broadly by professional cooks. Here is how it is done:

• Chop the chocolate into small, even pieces (or use chocolate chips).
• Fill a saucepan with a couple of inches of water and bring it to a simmer.
• Place a heatproof medium bowl over the saucepan in a way that the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water.
• Add the chopped chocolate and coconut oil to the bowl and stir until it’s melted, smooth and shiny.

Homemade Healthy Peanut Butter Cups Recipe Ingredients

I love making these PB cups because I don’t need a long list of things. Here are a few ingredients I use in these cups and always get the best result:

• Dark chocolate chips or bars: I prefer chocolate chips or chocolate bars with at least 60% cocoa. It forms a rich chocolate base and gives that deep flavor to the chocolate layer of the cups.
• Coconut oil: Some coconut oil helps the melted chocolate smooth and glossy. It also makes it easier to work with when layering the chocolate in the muffin liners.
• Natural Peanut Butter: Natural peanut butter from 100% peanuts ensures a rich taste. The main ingredient in the peanut butter mixture creates the creamy peanut filling layer.
• Almond flour: Almond flour adds a subtle nuttiness and helps bind and thicken the peanut butter filling. It gives the peanut butter cups a lovely, moist texture.
• Maple syrup: A little maple syrup naturally sweetens the peanut butter mixture.
• Salt: skip if peanut butter is salted.

Step-by-step instructions

Peanut Filling:

• Mix peanut butter, almond flour, salt, melted coconut oil, and maple syrup until a thick paste is formed.
• Refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes.
• Mold the peanut mixture to form small “patties” for filling Reese’s cups.

Chocolate Topping:

• Once the peanut butter filling is cooled and ready, add the chocolate and coconut oil to a microwavable bowl and microwave in 30-second increments, mixing in between, until fully melted.

Assembling Peanut Butter Cups:

Once you have your melted chocolate and filling ready, it is time to assemble these easy peanut butter cups:

• Add cupcake liners or silicone molds to a muffin tin.
• Add a layer of melted chocolate on the bottom of each liner (about 1 tbsp).
• Press slightly to place the prepared peanut filling on the melted chocolate. The circles should be smaller than the size of the liner, leaving room for the chocolate to surround it from all sides.
• Cover with more melted chocolate, tap to level out, and remove any air bubbles.
• Place the muffin tin in the refrigerator for at least one hour until set.
• Unwrap the cups when they are firm and chilled.
• Enjoy them cold or at room temperature.

See the full recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tips To Make the Best Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter

After making these Reese’s cups multiple times, here are my tips to make sure you get them right the first time:

• Choosing high-quality chocolate makes a big difference. I prefer Ghirardelli’s dark chocolate for a richer flavor, but you can also use milk chocolate.
• Paper liners or silicone molds help the cups release quickly once they have cooled for at least 1 hour. It also keeps the sides of the liners clean and gives your cups a neat appearance.
• For the creamiest peanut butter layer, ensure your peanut butter is well-stirred and at room temperature. Some coconut oil can help achieve a smoother consistency if it is too thick.
• When pouring the melted chocolate, tap the muffin tin gently on the counter to level the chocolate for an even chocolate base and prevent air bubbles.
• Fill the paper liners about 2/3 of the way for a thinner cup. This way, it is just the right size!

Tools Needed

• Muffin pan.
• Paper liners.
• Bowls.
• Silicone spatula.

Storage Instructions

Once you taste these creamy cups, you’ll want to have a few more ready for later. So, double the recipe and follow these tips to store them:

• Place the peanut butter cups in a single layer inside an airtight container.
• If you need to stack them, put a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• I usually store mine in the refrigerator. The cooler temperature helps the chocolate stay firm, and the peanut butter remains perfectly creamy.
• When you are ready to enjoy them, eat cold or let them reach room temperature.
• To freeze peanut butter cups, wrap each cup individually in plastic wrap or wax paper and place them in a freezer-safe airtight container. They will store well for up to three months.

Serving Suggestions and Substitutions

If you don’t like any of these cups’ base ingredients or want to show more creativity, here are some swaps I can suggest:

• Swap the peanut butter with almond or cashew butter for a different nutty flavor, as it can change and give your cups a new taste profile.
• If you don’t have maple syrup, honey works well too. Keep in mind it will alter the flavor.
• No almond flour on hand? You can use oat flour instead. It helps bind the peanut butter mixture as effectively but will give the filling a bit more texture.
• Feel free to use milk or white chocolate for a sweeter cup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Healthier Chocolate Recipes You May Like

• Crispy Rice Chocolate Bars
• Chocolate Pudding (With Avocado)
• Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

If you made my Healthy Peanut Butter Cups (Homemade Reese’s) or any other recipe on the website, please:

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