– vegan – gluten free – Grain free –
What makes these chocolate peanut Butter cups special is that they are not actually made from chocolate, which eliminates unnecessary added sugar and makes them dairy-free. With only 7 ingredients, these PB cups are fast and easy to make and will satisfy your sweet tooth in a health-conscious fashion.
To make the chocolate layers for this recipe, I used:
- Cacao powder: note that there is a difference between cacao and cocoa powder. It is important to choose a high quality cacao powder, which is richer in magnesium, iron, potassium and calcium. Cocoa powder, although cheaper, typically contains unnecessary fillers and less minerals and antioxidants.
- Coconut butter: a great healthy alternative to butter, as it is a good source of fiber and healthy fats. The saturated fat in butter can decrease your LDL (bad cholesterol) levels, and thanks to the abundance of lauric acid in coconuts, coconut butter will not just decrease LDL levels, but can also increase HDL (good cholesterol) levels, providing you with an overall better cholesterol profile. Nevermind that lauric acid is also great for the skin.
- Pure maple syrup: although high in sugar, is loaded with 24 antioxidants that help protect against free radical damage. It also contains anti-inflammatory properties that help to protect against chronic diseases, brain inflammation, intestinal inflammation, and nerve inflammation. therefore, pure maple syrup is a great natural sweetener when used in moderation. Fake maple syrup is made with high fructose corn syrup and provides zero health benefits.
The peanut Butter Mixture is made with:
- Raw peanuts: a good source of plant-based protein and fiber. They are also an excellent source of biotin, which is essential for healthy hair, skin and nails. Raw peanuts have an active toxin called aflatoxin. I recommend dry roasted peanuts because the roasting process can kill some of this toxin.
- Raw almonds: a good source of healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. Just a 1/2 cup of almonds has 80% of your daily vitamin E intake, 58% of your manganese, 54% of your copper and 49% of your daily vitamin B2 intake.
- Medjool dates: considered a superfood for many reasons, including its role in digestion and brain function. They are naturally a very sweet fruit, making them a perfect sweetener in many desserts and a great source of high-quality carbs and fiber.
- Natural peanut butter: another good source of plant-based protein and fiber. Be sure to buy a peanut butter that is all natural, meaning the only ingredients are peanuts and maybe salt.
*Note that since these PB cups are made with coconut butter instead of chocolate, they melt faster. I recommend keeping them in the freezer until eating. Alternatively, you could also make these by melting dairy-free dark chocolate chips.
You will also need:
A food processor of blender
Cupcake tins
A cupcake pan
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