First off, applause for all the peeps that have been keeping to their 2021 diets for the new year! I wish I was you, but you know carrot cake is just so tempting. If you’re like me and work out a little bit every week and still make room for dessert, cheers, you’re trying too. I’m here to give you the best of both worlds today. Healthy Homemade Peanut Butter Cups. No joke these taste just like a Reese’s and they’re healthy! Creamy but slightly dry texture just like the candy, coated in a thin layer of chocolate and flaky salt because I’m obsessed.

why are these peanut butter cups so special?

Similar to a Reese’s, these cups are creamy, but also have a small bite. All of that coated in chocolate and some sea salt because the salty sweet combo is the best thing.

I can believe I’ve waited to tell you this long, but this recipe only has 5 ingredients! That’s right, 5 (not including the salt, but does that really count?)

The best part about these pb cups are 1) they’re healthy so I feel a little less guilty eating them and 2) adding them to the freezer is one of the best choices of your life.

If you freeze the cups, they are crunchy but still have that creamy like center. Wishing I had more in the freezer right about now, but those suckers were gone within a few days.

ingredients

Here’s the long list of all the items you need. 😁

• Almond Flour
• Dates
• Peanut Butter (preferably natural for the healthiest option)
• Coconut Oil
• Dark Chocolate Chips
• Sea Salt (Optional)

Boom, done.

how to make the peanut butter cups

These peanut butter cups are incredibly easy and so tempting to snack on. Especially if they’re in the freezer, they are the perfect work and chill out snack.

Line a 12 cup cupcake tin with papers. Set aside.

Start by blending the dates, peanut butter, and almond flour in a food processor. It should be a thick, but creamy texture. If it’s a little too creamy and sticky, add a little more almond flour until you can press it and it holds shape. Set aside.

In a pot or microwaveable bowl, melt chocolate chips and coconut oil. If you’re using the microwave, only do small increments and keep stirring in between until it’s smooth. Continue stirring on the stove until fully melted and smooth.

Pour a small amount of chocolate in the bottom of each tin.

Scoop a tablespoon of your peanut butter mixture into your hand to form a small patty. Place the patty on the chocolate and pour a little bit more chocolate over it, just enough to cover.

Set the peanut butter cups in the fridge to set for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, sprinkle the tops with flaky sea salt and chill for another 30 minutes.

If you decide to freeze them afterwards, place them in a Tupperware or plastic bag and set in the freezer.

substituting ingredients

Now, some of the ingredients in this list may not be a pantry staple, so here’s where to find them and what you can substitute.

Almond Flour – You can find this at any local grocery store, it doesn’t have to be fancy or an organic shop. If you can’t get your hands on any, don’t use AP Flour. The best substitute is oat flour.

Dates – You can also find these at most all grocery stores. I used pitted dates that came in a plastic bag rather than fresh. To substitute this you can use dried raisins or figs. Stick to a dried fruit that doesn’t have a lot of flavor because you don’t want it to take away from the awesomeness of the peanut butter cup.

Peanut Butter – The best option for this recipe is natural peanut butter so not all those sugars are in there, but if you don’t feel like getting that, you can use a regular jar of creamy peanut butter. (It’s not that much less healthy, right??)

Chocolate Chips – Since we’re sticking to the healthy kick on this recipe, dark chocolate chips are your best option. They contain less sugar and are actually healthy for you in little doses. You can find dark chocolate chips at most grocers in the baking section.

Coconut Oil – Instead of melting the chocolate with butter or milk, we’re using coconut oil. It’s healthier and creates a very shiny and smooth consistency. If you can’t get any of this, just melt some chocolate chips with milk to make it similar to the consistency of a loose chocolate sauce.

For more of my favorite peanut butter recipes, check out my:

• Peanut Butter Fluff Cookies
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie
• Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars

Did you make this recipe? Let me know below or on Instagram @tuesday.treats or use #tuesdaytreats2016. I love seeing your creations!