Interested in how to make homemade peanut butter cups? This easy Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup recipe only requires 3 ingredients and about less than an hour plus it's paleo, clean eating, vegan, refined sugar-free, and gluten-free!
It's hard to believe, but this post was actually first published way back on April 29, 2010. It was my first recipe post ever. Ever.
I remember being so terrified to hit the "publish" button once I had it all written. I sat there, rereading my post over and over, to make sure I didn't have any typos and didn't sound like an idiot.
Then, finally, I published it. Eek.
Fast forward about a gazillion crazy years and A LOT has changed. I've now published hundreds of posts, many of them recipes. I have THREE more little kiddos and that little baby who got me started on this crazy working-from-home ride is now a whopping 9 years old!
I have had my fair share of typos over the years, despite my best efforts to the contrary. And...I've sounded like an idiot, at times. Okay, maybe a little too often.
And life has gone on.
Honestly, it's been pretty darn wonderful.
Back in 2010, I had almost, completely, and absolutely NO idea how to use my digital camera. I just focused as best I could and took the picture. There was no concept of ISO or aperture, depth of field, composition, f-stop or any of that.
I''ve learned SO much over the years and have improved my photography along the way (hooray!). Heck, I've even taught workshops on how to create your own viral food videos. Who would've thought!
Which leads me to this photo:
This was the one and only original photo of these dark chocolate peanut butter cups from my first recipe post EVER.
And, for about 6 years, I have been desperately wanting to redo it.
Like it has been almost literally killing me. Okay, maybe not. But still...
I was so happy to update these photos and update this very important first post to the blog.
Alright, now that I finally got all that history off my chest, let's talk about these wonderful 3 ingredient $850 Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, shall we?
I'm guessing you're wondering why the heck I call them that. Let me explain...
No, these delicious little peanut butter cups won't actually cost you $850 to make. You see, I first made these for Dustin for Valentine's Day because he loves Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
After I made them, I left them in the freezer for 3 days to store until I gave them to him. When Valentine's Day rolled around, I anxiously ran to the freezer to give him his present and I took a big ol' bite...
Sadly, they weren't quite defrosted enough to take such a big bite. And so, silly me, I broke a tooth foolishly trying to bite into one.
A tooth, I found out later, would cost a crazy $850 to fix. Bleh.
Thus, the title $850 peanut butter cups were born. Sad, but true.
So, class, your lesson in this 8 year old story of mine is that you should most definitely allow these tasty chocolate treats to thaw for about 30 minutes in the refrigerator if you happen to store them in the freezer for three days.
How To Make Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
These dark chocolate peanut butter cups are so amaaaaazingly delicious. And the best part is how easy they are to make.
I mean, c'mon now: chocolate + peanut butter = LOVE. Am I right?
Because I only use dark chocolate, organic natural peanut butter, and coconut oil, they are also gluten-free, vegan, healthy, and totally clean.
Which, in Lacey's world, means you can totally have two or three of them before starting to feel guilty. Or four... 😉
Here are the super easy steps for how to make them:
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Melt the chocolate, use either a double boiler or a large bowl placed over, but not touching, a pot of boiling water.
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In a small bowl, combine the peanut butter with the remaining 1 tbsp. coconut oil.
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Line a plate, muffin tin (my preferred method), or small cutting board with cupcake liners. You could make these using mini or regular cupcake molds, depending on what size you’d like them to turn out. I recommend doubling up the liners to give them a bit more structure.
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Pour enough of the melted chocolate mixture to cover the bottom of each liner.
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Place them in the freezer for about 5 minutes to set.
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Once set, add a small scoop of the peanut butter mixture into the center of the cup and gently flatten with your thumb or the back of a spoon.
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Pour enough melted chocolate over the peanut butter to cover the top, about 1-2 tablespoons.
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Place back into the freezer for about 25-30 minutes to completely set.
If you’re not going to eat these right away, make sure to remove the peanut butter cups from the freezer about a half hour before serving and place them into the fridge to thaw some. Otherwise, they’ll be difficult to bite through.
They really are quite tasty, especially broken up and put over ice cream (but, hey, what ISN'T good like that?).
$850 Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Just be sure they are thoroughly thawed before you bite into them or it'll cost ya!
Thanks for taking a stroll down memory lane with me! Here's too many, many more lovely food memories and, hopefully, no more costly tooth repairs!
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Equipment
- muffin tin
*This post may contain affiliate links for products I use often and highly recommend.
Ingredients
- 16 oz dark chocolate (60-70% cacao), chopped
- ½ cup natural peanut butter
- 3 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- To melt the chocolate, use either a double boiler or a large bowl placed over, but not touching, a pot of boiling water.
- Add the chocolate and 2 tablespoon the coconut oil and allow both to melt completely, while stirring occasionally.
- Once everything is smooth, turn off the heat, but leave the bowl on the pot to keep warm.
- In a small bowl, combine the peanut butter with the remaining 1 tbsp. coconut oil.
- Line a plate, muffin tin (my preferred method), or small cutting board with cupcake liners. You could make these using mini or regular cupcake molds, depending on what size you’d like them to turn out. I recommend doubling up the liners to give them a bit more structure.
- Now, pour enough of the melted chocolate mixture to cover the bottom of each liner.
- Then, place them in the freezer for about 5 minutes to set.
- Once set, add a small scoop of the peanut butter mixture into the center of the cup and gently flatten with your thumb or the back of a spoon.
- Pour enough melted chocolate over the peanut butter to cover the top, about 1-2 tablespoons.
- Place back into the freezer for about 25-30 minutes to completely set.
- If you’re not going to eat these right away, make sure to remove the peanut butter cups from the freezer about a half hour before serving and place them into the fridge to thaw some. Otherwise, they’ll be difficult to bite through.
Video
Nutrition
This post contains affiliate links for products I use often and highly recommend.
Dana
What type of coconut oil do you use? I know there are solids and liquid ones. By the way, the recipe looks too good to pass up. My new year's resolution is to lose weight, eat healthier and to maintain a heathy weight. Its a slow process but I/m staying on track.
Lacey Baier
Any coconut oil should be solid at room temp, and can be melted to liquid state. I don't have a fave brand, but I often look for organic and unrefined.
summer
omg these are so good,my grand daughter and I made these and they are waaaay better than the original Reese,s..thank you for the wonderful recipe!
Stephanie L Moyal
Hi! these are so good! Why do they melt after being taken out of the freezer?
Violet Winter
What else is the oil for??? You don’t explain.
healthyliving
this can be done with cocoa powder without the use of coconut oil. I'm thinking about adding water and stevia to cocoa and mixing. Will it harden?
Shirley B.
Thank you, Lacey, for the recipe. Can any other nut butter and oil be used successfully? My family members cannot eat peanut butter and coconut oil. Shirley
dibster
Made these on the weekend - amazing taste !!
I did have one challenge - eating it right from refrigerator the chocolate part was challenging to bite into
however when I left another piece on counter for chocolate to soften a little, the peanut butter got liquidy, making it very messy to eat
Any suggestions ?
Thanks!
Diamond
How long will they last in the fridge? I'd like to make these and then store them, but can they be stored in the fridge after they set as well? Or only the freezer and then thawed before use.
Andrea
Hi thanks for sharing! I wondered what you would substitute for coconut oil if you needed to? I am allergic to coconut very sad to say! But just wondered what kind of alternative might be out there.
Sean
What chocolate bar did you use? I'm on the 21 Day Fix eating plan and I'd like to keep the refined sugar to a minimum - any recommendations?
Cindy
I loved your story of your weight gain and loss. I have been on that same ride too. I love these peanut butter cups too and I going to try this recipe using almond butter instead, I think almond butter is a healthier fat option or hazelnut butter, that would be yummy too!
Thanks for your inspiration and your beautiful smiling face!
Lacey Baier
Yay, I'm so glad my story meant something to you - thanks for saying hello 🙂
Ellen
Cindy...I also want to use the almond butter...Please reply and tell me if you did use the almond butter and how was the end product.
Thank you,
Ellen
zemmouri celia
please, can we replaced coconut oil with honey ?
Lacey Baier
Hmm...I've never tried that substitution. The oil makes the chocolate nice and smooth and the peanut butter a little loose so it spreads easily. I'd love to know how it turns out if you try it!
Jennifer
You had me laughing, great article & I can't wait to try these. Thank you!
Lacey Baier
lol, thanks so much, Jennifer! I hope you love them 🙂
brita
YUM!! Dark chocolate + Peanut butter is quite possibly one of these BEST combinations ever. I have been loving all of your videos too!!
Lacey Baier
Aww, thanks so much, Brita! I totally agree about the best flavor combo, too 😉
Shari
Love peanut butter cups, -hate the dentist! I have a couple of expensive teeth in my mouth now too, so I feel your pain. At least you got a good story out of yours! Great idea about the graham cracker crumbs. Have you ever made buckeye's? Very similar to the peanut butter cup filling.
lacey - a sweet pea chef
Haha, Shari! True...I did have a good story to share. I've actually never even heard of buckeyes...but I'm definitely intrigued! 🙂
Steph
Funny story! I love peanut butter cups. These look great.
Sweet Pea Chef
Thanks, Steph!
eric isaac
funny story. I love peanut butter cups. Thanks for the recipe.
Sweet Pea Chef
You're welcome, Eric! With peanut butter cups, what's NOT to love, right? Thanks for stopping by.
Dustin Stevens-Baier
I have to say they were really tasty! especially with ice cream.
Sweet Pea Chef
Yeah, they were wonderful...minus the trip to the dentist!
Maura Callary
bummer about the tooth! looks really tasty though 🙂
Sweet Pea Chef
Yes, it was definitely a bummer, Maura. But, they definitely were tasty…and we have the inside joke too! 🙂