Healthy Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

Even before I became responsible for the daunting task of feeding a young child three times a day, peanut butter has always been a staple in our house.  Despite having a seemingly bad rap and often not the first choice as a “diet” food, a lot of people don’t realize the health benefits of this heart healthy fat.  Like anything, moderation is important because peanut butter is high in calories but on the flip side is also high in fiber, a source of protein, and is an anti-inflammatory food, so there is no reason why you should avoid integrating peanut butter into your diet.  Unless of course you are allergic to peanut butter, in which case today’s post may not be for you!

Because I love to cook and incorporate healthy foods into every meal, I do think I do a fairly good job of limiting processed foods in my family’s diet and peanut butter is no exception.  I always choose the natural and organic brands over the more processed ones for two reasons: we eat a lot of peanut butter in our house and I love when I look at the ingredients label and the only thing listed is “peanuts,” thus leaving me feeling guilt free as my daughter smears giant spoonfuls all over her celery sticks.

Mairead isn’t the only one indulging in PB on a regular basis around here; Aaron has an appetite for the stuff as well, however his is often in the form of a Reese Peanut Butter Cup.  So in another attempt to improve this grown man’s diet (***pulling my hair out***) I whipped up a batch of healthy homemade peanut butter cups.  Now, remember how I mentioned earlier that peanut butter is healthy?  Well when you make 24 of these incredibly delicious treats and eat all but five saved for your family you can forget about your health.  I’m not kidding, I gained weight while these were in my house!  Just don’t do what I did and devour them all and you’ll be fine.  Enjoy!

 

 

Healthy Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
*Makes 24 mini muffin cups or 10-12 standard sized muffin cups

Ingredients

Bottom layer:

1 cup organic peanut butter
1/4 cup natural honey
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

Top layer:

1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup coconut oil

 

Directions

 

Line a muffin tin with liners, set aside

In a medium sized bowl, add the peanut butter, honey and coconut oil for the bottom layer and mix well.

Distribute the peanut butter mixture evenly into the muffin cup, about halfway full.

Place in the freezer for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together cocoa powder, honey and coconut oil for the top layer.

One the peanut butter mixture has hardened, spoon the chocolate mixture evenly into each cup.

Place in the freezer again for another 20 minutes.

Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to serve.  If left at room temperature the cups loose their shape and “melt.”

 

By Three Happy Folk

Adapted from The Healthy Family and Home