Homemade Peanut Butter Cups (Gluten Free, Refined Sugar Free + Vegan)
These homemade Peanut Butter Cups are a healthier version of my favorite candy, made with only four ingredients! They are made with a refined sugar-free + vegan homemade chocolate and sprinkled with flaky sea salt.
You may have noticed that recently I’ve been super into making way healthier but still totally delicious versions of my favorite, traditionally unhealthy treats. First, I whipped up these copycat homemade Twix Bars that were made with a super delicious vegan caramel and crispy coconut flour shortbread.
A version of one of my favorite candies made with only six ingredients, and without any refined sugars or gluten? Yes, please! Those first bars have inspired a whole slew of follow-ups.
After my excitement over the Twix Bar success, I channeled that energy towards one of my favorite Girl Scout Cookies: Samoa Bars. I just posted these, but a couple of you have already shared your love of these with me and sent me pics of them in your kitchen (that’s my favorite thing ever, BTW!).
This time, the vegan caramel is taken up a notch with toasted coconut and the bars are cut and then individually dunked and drizzled with dark chocolate. Oh heck YES!
So I couldn’t stop there – I’m determined to make my favorite candy bars (and yours – leave requests in the comments!!) all guilt-free too. Next up: copycat homemade peanut butter cups. These are only FOUR ingredients, so you have no excuses not to make them. They’re also done with just about 10 minutes of active prep time. Maybe 5 if you’re quick.
The base of this recipe is my favorite recipe for homemade chocolate. It comes together in about 20 seconds by whisking together melted coconut oil, cocoa powder, and maple syrup. That’s all. That mixture is poured into mini muffin liners or a peanut butter cup mold if you’ve got one and then topped with peanut butter and topped off with more of the homemade chocolate.
I added a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, because I do that to pretty much everything. If you’re using unsalted peanut butter, I’d definitely recommend adding the sea salt. If your PB is salted already, you can go either way – I just love the bite of salt and bit of crunch it adds!
I have these stored in a little Tupperware in my fridge and I’m honestly surprised that they’re still there – my roommate and I have been enjoying lots of them as a nighttime chocolate fix. Thankfully, I can just make more when I’m out since they are so EASY! You’ve got to love that. If you’re a PB cup nut like I am, you’ll be obsessed with this recipe. Enjoy!
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Homemade Peanut Butter Cups (Gluten Free, Refined Sugar Free + Vegan)
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 0 about 24 cups 1x
- Category: Dessert
Ingredients
- ½ cup coconut oil (melted)
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 3–4 tablespoons maple syrup (to taste)
- About ⅓ cup peanut butter
- Flaky sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Line a mini muffin tin with small cupcake liners. Alternatively, you can also use a peanut butter cup mold, which is what I used.
- In a liquid measuring cup, whisk together the melted coconut oil, cocoa powder, and 3 tablespoons maple syrup. Taste it, and add more maple syrup if you want it sweeter.
- Pour a small amount of the chocolate mixture into the bottom of each liner or mold cavity, until the bottom is thinly covered. Don’t use more than half the chocolate mixture for this. Place the liners in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to harden.
- Once the bottom layer of chocolate is hard, place about 1/2 teaspoon of peanut butter over the chocolate. Pour enough of the chocolate mixture over the peanut butter to cover it completely (if at any point the remaining chocolate gets too thick, warm it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to remelt). Repeat until all are covered. If desired, sprinkle the top with flaky sea salt. Return to the refrigerator to harden completely.
- Store at cool room temperature, or in the refrigerator if you live in a warm climate.
Notes
Honey can be substituted for the maple syrup in equal amounts.
How cute are these?! I made my own pb cups before, but I’m loving this healthier version. And that melty peanut butter is just calling my name! I think I would devour these ALL in no time, I have absolutely zero willpower when it comes to pb cups!
Your candy recipes lately have SERIOUSLY been blowing me away, Rachel! I’m pretty much completely obsessed with how ahmaaaaaazing these peanut butter cups look! That oozing peanut butter filling is killing me! I want these for breakfast and I’m seriously considering it. ;)
Thank you, thank you Sarah!! A few of these for breakfast is definitely a good idea :)
Do you have an estimate of the nutrition facts? Like how many calories? Carbs? Protein?
Hi Elaine – you can calculate the nutritional facts here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/calculator
Oh man these look fantastic!! I would have no self control with these bites around!!
I will always take a homemade peanut butter cup over store bought. The drippy peanut butter coming out of the center looks fantastic. I need five of these!
So yum! I’ll never be too full for a PB cup :)
Easy and delicious! once you start making your own homemade peanut butter cups theres no going back..
It’s so true! Thanks Layla.
These look great. I note though that you are using cocoa powder when most vegan recipes I see use cacao. Could I substitute the cocoa for cacao and if so, what sort of ratio would I need to use?
Thanks!
Hi Sam. Cacao is a raw form of cocoa powder, and they can be used interchangeably in baking recipes. Most 100% cocoa powder is vegan, though. Hope this helps!
Thank you for some very nice recipe’s.
My husband is diabetic (type2) so I am always trying to find something nice to make for him. Your blog have done just the thing. I have already tried one or two or your recipes and great.
Thank you so much for sharing! :)
This makes me so happy Linda! So glad you’ve found my site and that I can share recipes your husband can enjoy. Enjoy!
Oh my gosh, these look simply amazing Rachel, and I love how short the ingredient list is too! They sound so incredibly quick to whip up!!
I need these, like NOW! They look amazing!
FTW, Rachel! I love making homemade chocolate….so easy and you can adjust the sweetness to whatever you like. Raw cacao is sooo good too! Love this homemade peanut butter cup. So easy and soothes the chocolate and sweettooth cravings! Beautiful work my dear!
Oh PB cups are my absolute favorite. I can never resist them when I’m standing in line at the grocery store! That flaky sea salt on top is a total must. Can’t wait to try these!
These look soo amazing. Peanut butter and chocolate is my favorite combo! Your roommate is very lucky haha. :)
These look so delicious and that melting peanut butter shot – drooling!! I love making homemade peanut butter cups but loving your version! Pinning! :)
These would be trouble for me — but at least they’re healthier! I love these Rachel and never knew you could make chocolate out of cocoa powder and coconut oil. Thank you for enlightening me! :)
It’s the easiest and best thing ever – because of coconut oil’s low melting point, they literally melt in your mouth! Thanks Marcie :D
Rachel, what a sweet comment, it takes people like you make being home bound much easier, thank you kindly. I made up the recipe last night (or morning st 3;30 am. If you want the recipe, I’ll give it to you, I just don’t want everyone having it. You could go on my Facebook page Cheryl Mason new Haven Connecticut. I’ll messenger you the recipe. Take care and thanks for britening my day
This recipe popped up in my Facebook feed as “Friday fun,” and I think I’ll be making these on my relaxing night in tonight!!! I always like having a healthy option for something sweet, and pb cups used to be one of my favorite candies!
I hope you love them, Christina! Definitely a rewarding Friday night activity :)
YAAAAAAS.
I bow down to the the queen.
I gained weight because I needed heart surgery, and I had it two weeks ago, I gained 38 pounds and I also went through menapause and got diabetes again so all three together I was trying to fight the weight gain, even though i wS eating good, but twix and peanut butter cups are my favorite. I’m going to make both for the doctors that saved my life on Tuesday when I go. Thanks for the great recipes, I hope the doctors and aprns like them. I’ve already made three homemade desserts for them. I’ve been up for 36 hours straight and I e been baking away. I also created one of my own a spicy-hot savory cornbread, I love it, I hope that everyone else loves it. Thanks again for the recipes, I only get one heart, so I have TO GO HEALTHY!!!!!! Take Care, sincerely, Cheryl
Hi Cheryl, I’m happy to hear your surgery went well – it’s such a kind gesture to make the healthier treats for your doctors. I hope they (and you!) love the treats. That cornbread sounds super delicious! Stay healthy and take care, Cheryl.
Oh my!! I think I just swooned for the first time in my life! Just made a tray of these and they are amazing bites of deep dark chocolate with a touch of peanut butter. I am really trying to lead a healthier lifestyle but have a never ending craving for chocolate…thanks for all these wonderful healthier ideas. Sandy
I’m so happy to hear you love these, Sandy! They’re life-changing, aren’t they? I never buy peanut butter cups anymore! Thanks so much for your kind words and feedback.
Can you make these with stevia instead of maple syrup? They look so delicious!
Hi Larissa, I don’t bake with stevia very often so I’m not too familiar. Since the maple syrup doesn’t add any moisture or structure in this recipe though, it should work out fine. Enjoy!
What kind of peanut butter do you use for this?
I always use organic 100% peanut butter!
What measurements do I use in English, the coconut oil I have is solid, do I weigh this first or melt and then measure. Have to make for Friday
Hi Carolyn, it’s more accurate to measure once melted. Enjoy!
Thank you going to Street my attempt now Have only got 9 little mounds so is it ok to make in small batches and keep stuff melted over simmering water ?
I was just wondering if you could substitute raw honey for maple syrup In the homemade peanut butter cup recipe?
Hi Suzanne, you certainly can! Just be sure not to heat the honey to retain it’s nutritional benefits from being raw.
I know it wouldn’t be paleo/vegan but could butter be subbed for the coconut oil?
Hi Marina – I haven’t tried it but I imagine it would make the chocolate taste weirdly buttery and kind of odd, it would technically work though. I’d recommend sticking with coconut oil for the best flavor!
Yum omg these are so easy and so delicious I’m in love!!!
So glad you’re loving them Maia!!
Do I use refined or unrefined coconut oil? Thanks Jennifer
Either will work but use refined for no coconut flavor!