Healthy Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
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These healthy homemade peanut butter cups are so delicious for a special dessert! This is an easy homemade candy recipe that tastes better than the original. (gluten-free, vegan)
Peanut butter cups are a favorite in my house. We all love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, and they’re just the right size for a quick treat.
But packaged peanut butter cups leave a lot to be desired as far as their ingredient list is concerned. Fortunately, it’s so easy to make a healthier version at home.
I love how simple this recipe is. It takes just 5 ingredients to make healthy homemade peanut butter cups. These silicone muffin liners give them the perfect shape, but you can also use traditional cupcake liners if that’s what you have on hand.
Some peanut butter brands have more oil than others, so you’ll need to use your judgment with the coconut oil. The amounts listed in the recipe should be a good minimum amount. If the mixture is too thick to pour or divide evenly with a tablespoon, add a little more coconut oil. If it seems too thin and runny, add a little more peanut butter. This recipe isn’t an exact science; it will be delicious either way!
Healthy Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
Chocolate Layers
- 1/2 cup melted coconut oil or more, as needed
- 1/3 cup natural creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Peanut Butter Filling
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
- 2/3 cup natural creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- To make the chocolate layers, melt the coconut oil over low heat in a small pot. Once it’s melted, remove from the stove and add the peanut butter, maple syrup, cocoa powder, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth. Divide half of this chocolate mixture into 12 silicone muffin cups (about 1 tbs each). If it seems too solid to distribute, add a little more coconut oil. Set aside the other half of the chocolate mixture to use later.
- To make the peanut butter filling, melt the coconut oil in a small pot. Add the peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla, and whisk until smooth. Pour a generous tablespoon of this peanut butter mixture into the center of each muffin cup. Then cover each one with the remaining chocolate mixture. (Note: If the chocolate mixture is too thick to spread evenly at this point, add a little more melted coconut oil.)
- Freeze the peanut butter cups for 30 minutes. Remove them from the muffin cups and store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. (I prefer the slightly softer texture they get when they’re stored in the fridge, but the freezer works too if you want them to be completely solid.)
Approximate Nutrition Info
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Healthy Homemade Peanut Butter Cups Price Breakdown
This recipe costs a total of $5.06 to make, or $.42 per serving. Try these homemade peanut butter cups for a healthier version of candy!
We were very disappointed in this recipe. The coconut oil flavor was much too strong for our liking.
I’m so glad I found this recipe! I’ve been wanting to make these with my 7 year old daughter. When I was a girl, my mom made homemade healthy peanut butter cups for a sweet treat on movie nights at home. I remember she used carob instead of chocolate (not my fav), but that was the 80’s and now we know cocoa is good for you! Minus refined sugar, of course.
Thanks again for the recipe!
Peanut butter and chocolate is always a hit, and this recipe is so simple it will be super fun to make with the kids. 🙂
This would be such a fun project to make with the kids and who doesn’t love that combo?
This is surely mouth melting. Best and cute Dessert option for a party.
This recipe came across my path at just the right time! I am going to make them for Easter this year!