Vegan Peanut Butter Cups

These Healthy Peanut Butter Cups are made with simple ingredients and take less than an hour to make. A homemade Reese’s copycat that you can feel good about eating.

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Why we love this recipe

By making this healthy dessert recipe at home you can use the very best, high-quality ingredients. We love having control over what goes into our treats.

They taste like Reese’s peanut butter cups. Need I say more?

This recipe is so easy to make and is also naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan. Bonus!

Ingredients

• coconut oil – this will help bind the ingredients together and give a smooth consistency.
• natural peanut butter – use either chunky or creamy peanut butter. You can substitute other nut butter such as almond butter or cashew butter.
• maple syrup – honey can also be used.
• cocoa powder – you can also boost those antioxidants and use cacao powder instead!
• vanilla extract – adds a rich, sweet, and aromatic flavor.
• flaked sea salt – this is optional but oh-so-delicious to sprinkle on top.

Equipment

• small saucepan – use a pan with a pour spout to make this recipe even easier.
• muffin tin – you could also make baby peanut butter cups by using a mini muffin pan!
• parchment paper muffin liners – or use silicone liners.

Instructions

Step 1

First, start by lining the muffin tin with 10 paper liners. Set it aside.

Step 2

Next, add the peanut butter, maple syrup, and coconut oil to the small saucepan and stir them together over medium-low heat.

We like using a small spatula to stir.

Step 3

Then, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cocoa powder into the peanut butter mixture.

Keep mixing until the lumps are gone and the mixture is smooth.

Next, stir in the vanilla.

Step 4

Then, pour the mixture evenly into the lined muffin tin, filling the wells approximately half full.

Step 5

Finally, place the muffin tin in the freezer for 15 minutes until the chocolate has set.

Expert tip

This healthy candy recipe must live in the coldest part of your fridge or your freezer! They will get soft and melt pretty fast at room temp so keep them cold until you are ready to enjoy.

Recipe variations

• Sprinkle some dark chocolate chips on top before freezing for an extra chocolate layer.
• Add a tropical twist to your homemade peanut butter cups by mixing in some shredded coconut.
• For my coffee enthusiasts, try sprinkling in some instant espresso powder into the mixture to create a caffeinated twist. The subtle coffee flavor will complement the chocolate perfectly, making these peanut butter cups a tasty pick-me-up treat.
• Stir in some chopped nuts like walnuts or almonds for some added crunchy texture – plus added protein and fiber!

Serving suggestions

• Use these as an ice cream topping! Chop them up and scatter them over top of your favorite ice cream in a bowl. Grab your spoon and enjoy.
• Make a decadent breakfast by chopping these up and sprinkling them on top of pancakes or waffles.

FAQS

Storage

Store these in the freezer in an airtight container for up to a month.

Be sure to keep these in the coldest part of your refrigerator or freezer. They will melt quickly at room temperature so don’t leave them out! This is not a treat that travels well so don’t pack them in lunches, etc.

More healthy no bake recipes

**This recipe was originally posted on April 1, 2018, and updated on June 18, 2023.**

If you’ve tried our Healthy Homemade Peanut Butter Cups recipe, please rate it and let us know how it turned out by leaving us a comment below. We’re always interested in feedback!

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