Healthy Halloween : Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Peanut butter has become one of my great loves. No seriously, I have PB every single day, and when I don’t, my day just doesn’t seem complete. As a post workout snack slathered on bananas or apples, or carrots, which seems to be something only I enjoy. Whether it’s peanut butter cookies, or ice cream, I’ll enjoy it any way. But one of my favorites, and always brings me back to my childhood, other then sandwiched with nutella, are Reese’s cups. Can you really go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter, no you can’t. These pairings are meant to be, and it was one of my favorite candies. But then you grow up and you realize all those candies you scarfed down after trick-or-treating, are all just processed and really not good.

With Halloween approaching, I’m beginning to crave one of my favorite candies again. I mean you can’t escape big bags of candy wherever you go. But I just can’t eat candy like I use to, before cutting processed foods from my lifestyle. It doesn’t mean I don’t crave sweets and chocolate candy from time to time, especially during the holidays. So this Halloween I figured I’d indulge in the festivities with my own version of these nutty chocolate cups.

Using high quality dark chocolate and all natural whipped peanut butter, I recreated this classic chocolate Halloween candy in a healthier way. Don’t limit yourself to using traditional peanut butter, use chunky or almond butter, and even sunflower butter for a nut free version.

It really is the simplest healthy treat you can make. Make a batch, keep them in the freezer, and savor a PB cup every time you get a sweet chocolate craving.Seriously, move over Reese’s because this homemade version only has three ingredients and they’re healthy! It’s too hard to resist them knowing they’re good for you too. The only downfall, is waiting the 15 minutes the chocolate needs to set for these peanut butter cups.This extremely easy candy recipe has me inspired to make some other healthier variations for next Halloween, maybe Almond Joys. Oh no, I have to stop! I will say these peanut butter chocolate cups won’t last until Halloween, so be prepared with an extra batch. I keep telling myself I’m totally allowed a tiny chocolate cup a day, then sometimes it’s two and there’s nothing to blame it on but the fact this chocolate candy is so good…

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Healthy Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups 

Ingredients {Makes 20 Mini Cups or 10 Regular Size Cups}

1 cup – Organic Dark Chocolate

3/4 cups – Organic Unsalted Peanut Butter {or use chunky if you prefer}

3 tablespoons – Coconut Oil {divided}

Recipe {Adapted from Pure Ella}

Line a mini or regular sized cupcake pan with liners, and set aside. Set up a double boiler, making sure the water doesn’t touch the glass bowl. Heat to medium high, add the chocolate into the bowl with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Stir frequently until it has melted completely. Remove from heat and set aside.

Melt the remaining tablespoon of coconut oil. In a small bowl, stir the peanut butter with coconut oil. Mix well to incorporate and set aside.

Place the melted chocolate into a glass measuring cup, and pour in just enough chocolate to cover the bottom of each liner. Place in the freezer until slightly set {about 2 minutes}. Add a teaspoon of peanut butter into the center and gently flatten. Place in the freezer until slightly set {about 2 minutes}. Pour more melted chocolate to completely cover the top. Return to the freezer until completely set {about  20 to 30 minutes}.

Be sure to remove the chocolate PB cups from the freezer about 30 minutes before serving. Remove all the paper liners and place them in the refrigerator to thaw out {if they appear soft to the touch, place them back to the freezer for about 5 minutes to harden}.