Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cup Recipe

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Eating just one dark chocolate almond butter cup is going to be so satisfying to your chocolate loving taste buds. Next time that chocolate craving hits, reach for a homemade healthy peanut butter cup made with simple ingredients from your cupboard!

This recipe is different than the store-bought candies because YOU are in control of what goes in, and what stays out. You have total control of how sweet you make it, and even which type of nut butter you use.

Tools used to make these almond butter cups

• Paper muffin liners - I love these patterns.
• Spoons - For stirring
• A microwave safe mixing bowl (or a double boiler) - This is to melt the chocolate
• Muffin tin - (optional, but simplifies things if you're making a big batch)

Ingredients needed in this almond butter cup recipe

• Dark chocolate - Buy a pre-sweetened bar that suits your taste preference
• Almond butter (or peanut butter) - Make sure you get the kind with just one ingredient (2 if the second is salt). You can use peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, or another nut or seed butter. Whatever you prefer.
• Maple syrup or honey - Pick your favorite sweetener.
• Sea salt or Himalayan pink salt - We like using this kind for recipes like this.

How to Make These Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups

This is a simple and delicious recipe for peanut butter cups (or almond butter cups). Make one or two at a time on an as-needed basis, or make a big batch and grab one when you want something sweet.

Here are the steps you want to follow:

First, melt your chocolate (use a double boiler or the microwave on short bursts).

Second, and mix the almond butter or peanut butter with maple syrup (or honey) and salt.

Next, get your cupcake liners ready and put some melted chocolate in the bottom of the paper cups. You just need enough to cover the bottom. You can use a spoon to spread it around if needed.

Next add a little dollop of your nut butter mixture and spread it out a little if you'd like. The more uniform the almond butter in this stage, the more uniform it will be when it's time to eat it.

Next, add more melted chocolate to the top. You can sprinkle them with a little coarse salt here, or wait until they're hardened.

Finally, stick your almond butter cups in the freezer for a few minutes, or the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour to harden. Alternately, you can leave them at room temperature to firm up in a couple hours.

This is the part where the muffin tin works well. You can put the whole muffin tin in the fridge or freezer and not worry about them tipping over and spilling. Or, put the individual cups on a plate. Your choice.

Tips and tricks to make the perfect almond butter cups (from years of experience)

Okay, so the basic idea is super simple, right? Chocolate, nut butter, chocolate, harden. Done. But there are a few tips and tricks you might be interested in knowing.

• You can make a heart shaped peanut butter cup by putting a little ball of aluminum foil between one side of the paper cup and the muffin tin (see the heart shape below).

• You can also make mini cups with a mini muffin tin. Follow the same process, but get mini muffin liners and use a mini muffin tin.

FAQ & Recipe Tips

Are almond butter cups dairy free?

If you buy the store bought peanut butter or almond butter cups, they're not necessarily dairy free. If you make them at home, you get to decide what goes in and what stays out. This recipe is dairy free as long as your chocolate bar you're using is dairy free.

Are almond butter cups good for you?

Almond butter cups probably have more nutrients than peanut butter cups, and dark chocolate is better for you than milk chocolate. So I'd say these are a pretty healthy treat, as long as you eat them in moderation.

Why use almond butter vs peanut butter?

Peanuts are actually legumes, not nuts. So in the Paleo world, they're on the "no" list. If you prefer almonds over peanuts, or have a peanut allergy in the family, use almonds. Also, if you're trying to make this a Paleo recipe, use almond butter.

If your body handles peanuts okay, feel free to switch the almond butter for peanut butter (just remember to watch the ingredient list. We don't want any hydrogenated oils or anything messing up our healthy chocolate treat). Stick to the peanut butter varieties with just one ingredient (peanuts) - a little salt is okay too. Or, just make your own nut butter in your food processor.

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