Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
Salted Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups are a healthier, homemade peanut butter cups with no added sugar and only 4 ingredients!
Happy Halloween! Hopefully you haven’t dipped into your candy stash already…I’ve been good so far. I normally never go out of my way to eat candy, but when there are bags of it in the house my willpower goes out the window.
These Salted Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups have kept my hands out of the candy bags this year and they’re staying out.
But don’t quote me just in case. 🙂
I’ve been tinkering around with this recipe for the past few weeks, and have used both almond butter and peanut butter. They’re both amazing, but there’s some nostalgia involved when I say I prefer peanut butter.
I grew up eating Reese’s like the majority of people out there, so peanut butter is where it’s at for me.
I tried adding some maple syrup and coconut oil to the nut butter while testing this recipe and finally came to the conclusion that there was no reason to do it. I mean, have you ever dunked dark chocolate into peanut butter? I have, and it’s pure heaven.
I love the big peanut butter flavor without any added sugar or fat — if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
I used Guittard extra dark chocolate chips for this recipe because I get really lazy when it comes to chopping chocolate. Guittard is a quality brand and I’m not getting paid to say so — I just love it. If you prefer chopping up a bar of dark chocolate, feel free to do so.
How to make homemade peanut butter cups
This dark chocolate peanut butter cup recipe comes together very quickly — the hardest part is waiting for the chocolate to set.
I froze the bottom layer of chocolate for 15 minutes to keep things neat and tidy, then topped it with the peanut butter and more melted chocolate.
Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and chill your peanut butter cups in the fridge or freezer until set.
I was a little impatient to take my photos (and eat one!), so as soon as the chocolate appeared to be set, I removed the paper liners. The peanut butter oozed out because it wasn’t entirely set yet, so that’s why it’s a little oozy in my photos. I have to admit, I think the oozy peanut butter looks kind of appealing. To minimize the mess, keep yours in the liners until you’re ready to eat them.
These Salted Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups are going to satisfy your candy cravings in the biggest way. They’re just sweet enough and have big dark chocolate peanut butter flavor, and the flaky sea salt takes them over the top.
After eating these healthy homemade peanut butter cups, it’s safe to say you may never eat those other peanut butter cups again. 🙂
More peanut butter and chocolate recipes!
Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oat Bars
Salted Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Ingredients
- 11.5 ounces dark chocolate baking chips divided (I used Guittard)
- 4 teaspoons coconut oil divided (you may substitute with butter)
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon [flaky sea salt]
Instructions
- Place (12) paper or foil liners in the cavities of a standard muffin tin.
- Fill a large saute pan with 2 inches of water and bring to a simmer for your double boiler. Place half of the chocolate chips and 2 teaspoons of coconut oil in a heat proof bowl. Place the bowl of chocolate into the simmering water and stir until melted.
- Using a cookie scoop, evenly divide the chocolate between each liner and rap on the counter a few times to evenly distribute over the bottom of the liner. Freeze for 15 minutes.
- Heat the peanut butter in the microwave for just a seconds to soften slightly and make it spreadable (if necessary). Using a cookie scoop or teaspoon, divide between each liner and spread over the top of the chocolate layer.
- Melt the remaining chocolate and coconut oil in your double boiler using the same heat proof bowl. Divide evenly among the liners and rap on the counter until the chocolate covers the peanut butter layer. Sprinkle with the flaky sea salt and chill in the freezer for 15-20 minutes or in the refrigerator until set.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- If you prefer to use a dark chocolate bar, coarsely chop it before placing it the double boiler with the coconut oil.
- For best results, store peanut butter cups in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze!
- If you’d like a softer peanut butter cup, leave it out at room temp for just a few minutes before eating.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
24 Comments on “Homemade Peanut Butter Cups”
These look so delicious! I love making my own PB cups and these salted dark chocolate ones are so classy and gorgeous 🙂
Thank you so much, Medha!
You need to try it then Puja — thank you!
I actually love the oozy peanut butter in your pictures so I think your impatience paid off. They look incredible!
I didn’t get to eat any Halloween candy because we were too busy packing and moving but I would be just fine with a handful of these babies. I also love that they don’t call for added sugar or fat. You’re so right- PB and dark chocolate don’t need fixing! 🙂
Oozy peanut butter and dark chocolate could never be a bad thing, right? 🙂 Thanks, Sarah, and I hope your move went well!
These look absolutely incredible, Marcie! I love PB cups so much and this homemade version is deluxe!
Thank you so much, Alyssa! 🙂
Salted chocolate desserts are one of my biggest weaknesses, and why have I never added salt to my hot chocolate? I’m doing it this year! Thanks for the great idea, Vivian!
I’m not a big candy person either … except I do love peanut butter cups!! They were always my favorite growing up! These sound FANTASTIC!! Way better than the stuff I bought to give out to the kiddos tonight!
Thanks, Ashley! I almost feel bad passing out regular Reese’s to the trick or treaters tonight. 🙂
Yum, I could always go for a chocolate peanut butter cup! I actually made chocolate almond butter cups a few weeks ago for the first time… and I wouldn’t turn down those either 😉
Oh I wouldn’t turn down an almond butter cup either! haha Thanks Nicole!
Reese’s are my guilty pleasure. I could eat them all day every day! I could definitely use this recipe to make my addiction more healthy!
I’d eat these every day if they were around too — they were just calling my name! Thanks, Annie!
Hi Marcie, you are so right, when I made my own I added coconut oil and there really was no reason to. Love everything about these.
Thanks so much, Cheri!
Love PB cups! These look divine, Marcie. Loving the salted chocolate. I can’t wait to try making my own! 🙂
Thanks, Jess! There’s nothing like salted dark chocolate!
Your peanut butter cups make me wish I was home for Halloween.
Hopefully you have a wonderful Halloween wherever you are!
I usually don’t go out of my way to eat candy either, but I made the mistake of buying two big bags for the trick-or-treaters a few weeks ago, and they somehow opened and candy disappeared…oops! 🙂 I would much rather have this homemade version though. Looks incredible, Marcie! I love the salted dark chocolate in here. Just what I need for this Monday!
Disappearing candy usually happens to me! haha Thanks, Gayle, and Happy Halloween! 🙂
I’ve been wanting to make my own nut butter cups, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. Probably because they won’t look as perfect as these 😉 Happy Halloween, Marcie!
I thought these were quite imperfect really, but aren’t we always our own worst critic? 🙂 Thanks, Megan, and Happy Halloween!