Peanut butter and chocolate is such a dynamic duo. What’s not to love? Well, for starters most store-bought peanut butter cups contain artificial sweeteners and fillers, and the natural alternatives are pretty expensive. What if I told you that you can make peanut butter cups at home with only 4-ingredients that are absolutely delicious. A must-try!
These peanut butter cups only take 15 minutes to make! With only four ingredients and simple directions, you will have creamy, decadent homemade peanut butter cups in no time! You can view my 30-second recipe video on my Instagram.
Ingredients:
- Peanut Butter
- Powdered Sugar (traditional powdered sugar, powdered monk fruit sweetener, or confectioners sweetener)
- Chocolate Chips (cacao, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or vegan chips work great!)
- Coconut Oil
How to Make Peanut Butter Cups
- First melt 2 cups of chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. You can use a double boiler or melt the chocolate and coconut oil over the stovetop on low, stirring frequently.
- Next in a medium mixing bowl combine 1 cup of peanut butter, 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix until it forms a dough.
- Form peanut butter dough into 12 equal flattened balls/disks.
- Prepare a standard 12-muffin tin with disposable cupcake liners/baking cups. For an eco-friendly version use a silicone muffin tin or cups. The silicone is non-stick so no disposable liners needed.
- Pour a small amount of melted chocolate into the bottom of each cup just until covered. Approx 1/4 inch. You can stick the pan in the freezer 5-10 minutes to allow the chocolate to set before moving to the next step. This sets the bottom of the shell, but you can also choose to skip this step.
- Next place the peanut butter dough over each then pour remaining melted chocolate on top until the peanut butter is covered.
- Optional: top with flaky sea salt, coconut shavings or crushed nuts.
- Place pan in the freezer for 15 minutes or refrigerator for at least 1 hour to set. Enjoy!
Britt’s Tips:
- Chocolate I use a mix of semi-sweet chocolate chips and cacao. Use any chocolate use desire, but keep in mind sweeter chocolate will result in a much sweeter peanut butter cup.
- Coconut Oil For coconut oil I recommend an organic virgin coconut oil because it has the most health benefits. You can find this at most local health food stores.
- Peanut Butter Since this recipe calls for sugar and salt, I use a natural peanut butter that’s unsweetened and unsalted.
- Sweetener Powdered sugar is a necessary ingredient to make the dough consistency. For a healthier sugar free alternative use powdered monkfruit sweetener. I highly recommend it. Tastes great and is naturally derived from monk fruit! Contains zero net carbs, zero calories, and is zero-glycemic. It has a similar sweetness profile to sugar so can be used with the same measurements.
My family consistenly asks me to make these and fights over who gets the last one! These 4-ingredient peanut butter cups are sure to be a favorite in your home. They also make a great gift!
Easy 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cups
With only four ingredients and simple directions, you will have creamy, decadent homemade peanut butter cups in minutes!
Ingredients
- 2 cups chocolate chips I use half semi-sweet chocolate chips and half cacao. Use any chocolate you like!
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 cup peanut butter I recommend unsweetened and unsalted.
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar Can be substituted with powdered monk fruit sweetener or other sugar free sweetener.
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Line a standard 12-muffin pan with paper baking cups/cupcake liners
- Melt chocolate and coconut oil in a double boiler or in a pot on the stovetop over low stiring frequently.
- Distribute melted chocolate into the 12 muffin tins (I use about 1 teaspoon) just until it barely covers the bottom of each cup. If the chocolate does not distriute evenly slowly move the pan in a circular motion.
- Place the pan in the freezer for 15 minutes to set the bottom of the chocolate shell. You can also skip this step.
- Mix peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla and salt together with a spoon, whisk or hand mixer just until dough forms. You can use your hands to carefully knead for a minute.
- Place a small tablespoon of peanut butter dough into each cup. It helps to make 12 flattened balls out of the peanut butter dough to make sure the peanut butter is equally distributed.
- Pour the remaining melted chocolate over each cup until the peanut butter is covered. Optional: Add flaky sea salt, coconut shavings, or chopped nuts to the top.
- Refrigerate pan for an hour to set, or freeze for 15 minutes. Enjoy!
