Ever wondered why you crave something sweet just after you’ve eaten a meal? Oftentimes, those cravings can lead to feelings of guilt because you know that a slice of cake or pint of ice cream isn’t the healthiest choice. But what if there was a way to indulge your sweet tooth without all the guilt? Before you reach for that candy bar or slice of cake, consider reaching for a healthier option: a healthy homemade peanut butter cup. That’s right! These little indulgences are not only delicious, but they’re also good for you. Peanut butter is packed with protein, which can help keep you full and satisfied, while the dark chocolate coating is rich in antioxidants. At only 114 calories per cup, you can indulge your sweet tooth without feeling guilty.
Healthy Homemade Peanut Butter Cups Recipe (2)
Melted chocolate, coconut oil, and peanut butter come together to create a delicious and healthy snack that will satisfy your sweet tooth.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
- 1 cup natural peanut butter
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
- Line a mini muffin tin with paper liners.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil together in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until completely melted.
- Spoon the melted chocolate into the bottom of each muffin liner, using about 1 teaspoon per cup. Then place the tin in the freezer for about 10 minutes to allow the chocolate to harden.
- In a medium bowl, mix the peanut butter, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Remove the muffin tin from the freezer and spoon the peanut butter mixture on top of the hardened chocolate, using about 1 tablespoon per cup. Then use a spoon or your fingers to slightly swirl the peanut butter and chocolate together.
- Place the tin back in the freezer for about 10 minutes, or until the peanut butter cups are hardened.
- Pour the remaining melted chocolate on top of the peanut butter cups, using about 1 teaspoon per cup. Then place the tin back in the freezer for about 10 minutes to allow the chocolate to harden.
- Remove from the freezer and enjoy!
You can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition:
Serving: 1PB Cup | Calories: 114kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 16mg | Potassium: 99mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg
This recipe is courtesy of Gimme Delicious.
Can You Make These Peanut Butter Cups Keto?
Yes! Simply use sugar-free chocolate chips and keto-friendly peanut butter. You can also use a sugar-free sweetener like monk fruit syrup in place of honey or maple syrup. A powdered sweetener like erythritol will work as well.
Can You Make These Peanut Butter Cups Vegan?
Yes! To make vegan peanut butter cups use vegan, dairy-free chocolate chips and your favorite type of nut butter. You can also use a plant-based sweetener like maple syrup or agave nectar in place of the honey.
Read More: 7 Vegetarian Green Bean Recipes That Are Healthy And Delicious
Can You Make These Peanut Butter Cups Gluten-Free?
Yes! To make gluten-free peanut butter cups, use gluten-free chocolate chips and gluten-free peanut butter. Make sure to check the labels on the peanut butter to ensure it is in fact gluten-free.
Is Peanut Butter Chocolate Healthy?
Peanut butter chocolate is a delicious and popular combination, but you may wonder whether it’s actually healthy. The answer depends on a few factors, including the ingredients used and how often you eat peanut butter chocolate.
Generally speaking, like anything, peanut butter chocolate can be part of a healthy diet when eaten in moderation. In this case, both peanut butter and chocolate are relatively nutritious foods.
When choosing a peanut butter chocolate product, look for one that contains mostly natural ingredients. Avoid products that are made with a lot of added sugar.
It’s also important to consider how often you eat peanut butter chocolate. If you eat it every day, you may want to limit your intake to prevent weight gain. However, eating peanut butter chocolate occasionally is unlikely to cause any harm.
Homemade peanut butter chocolate is often the healthiest option, as you can control the ingredients that are used.
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You’ll get the following potential benefits from homemade peanut butter chocolate:
Antioxidant-Rich
Cocoa powder, which is used to make chocolate, is high in antioxidants. These nutrients help protect your cells from damage and may help reduce your risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer (1).
Healthy Fats
Peanut butter is a good source of healthy fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Replacing saturated fats with these fats can help improve your cholesterol levels, which may reduce your risk of heart disease (3).
Protein
Peanut butter is also a good source of protein, which is essential for building and maintaining muscle mass. If you’re lifting weights or working out regularly, eating peanut butter chocolate can help you meet your protein needs (3). However, while peanut butter chocolate can be part of a healthy diet, it’s still important to eat it in moderation.
This may mean limiting your intake to a few times per week and choosing products that are made with quality ingredients. Even homemade peanut butter chocolate can be high in calories, so it’s important to portion it out appropriately and consider your diet as a whole.
Read More: Healthy Pumpkin Pie Recipe That’s Fool-Proof
The Bottom Line
Healthy peanut butter chocolate is a delicious and nutritious treat that can be part of a healthy diet when eaten in moderation. When choosing peanut butter chocolate, look for products that are made with quality ingredients and consider limiting your intake to a few times per week. Homemade peanut butter chocolate is often the healthiest option.
DISCLAIMER:
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not serve to address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on for making any kind of decision-making. Any action taken as a direct or indirect result of the information in this article is entirely at your own risk and is your sole responsibility.
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You should always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or your specific situation. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of BetterMe content. If you suspect or think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor.
SOURCES:
- Cocoa and Chocolate in Human Health and Disease (2011, nih.gov)
- Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups (n.d., gimmedelicious.com)
- Peanuts as functional food: a review (2016, nih.gov)
- Serotonin (2022, clevelandclinic.org)
