When I think about my favorite candy, it’s always Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. That combination of peanut butter and chocolate gets me every time; problem is, I can’t eat dairy any more. And what if you can’t eat peanuts? Don’t let a little thing like dietary restrictions get in the way of you enjoying this magical treat when it’s so easy to make Reese’s Cups yourself with this simple recipe for healthier homemade Almond Butter Cups (or Peanut Butter Cups)!
And bonus: you can actually enjoy your homemade almond butter or peanut butter cups with a smug smile knowing they’re actually made with cleaner ingredients and made healthier than any sweet treat you might buy in the store!
So how do you make homemade Reese’s Cups healthy? One way is by making them with peanut or almond butter protein powder instead of with oily peanut butter or almond butter! Many nut butters contain other ingredients (like hydrogenated oils) that are, shall we say, not the best for us. The “natural” ones are super oily and separate and are just hard to use. But by using nut butter powder, it’s easy to make exactly what you like for a recipe without all those oils!
It’s magic (almost)! And it’s so easy!
Making Homemade Reese’s Cups Healthy
I’ve partnered with Naked Nutrition** to bring you this incredible paleo, gluten free knockoff Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup or Almond Butter Cup recipe made healthier by using their brand new Naked Almond or their fan favorite Naked PB Powder. Naked Nutrition has always been known for certified gluten free products with no artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners and no mixing agents; these single ingredient nut protein powders are no different. (Also check out my Gluten Free Texas Sheet Cake Recipe for Two or Four, made with Naked Nutrition!)
I’ve been excited to use these nut-based protein powders for more than just after workouts or in smoothies — I’m all about using them as baking ingredients! These protein powders have no sugars, additives, preservatives or artificial sweeteners, which means you can add what you like to your recipe.
Naked PB Powder is made from slow-roasted, non-GMO, US grown peanuts, and is low in both calories and fat. Naked Almond Powder is made exclusively from California almonds, and has 10 grams of protein per serving. Both are preservative-free and are independent third-party tested for heavy metals. They’re basically as clean as can be when it comes to nut-based protein powders … they’re Naked!
Which is exactly why I thought they would make the perfect base for these healthier homemade almond butter cups or peanut butter cups.
In addition to being made with clean ingredients, how much healthier are these homemade Reese’s Cups? Well, it’s all relative, of course, since we’re talking candy. But here’s a look at the nutrition of a regular Reese’s Cup:
Our homemade cups are slightly larger than this Reese’s, and will vary depending on the amount of chocolate you add to each one. Of course the brand of chocolate you use will change this a bit, as well.
If you make these homemade gluten free Reese’s Cups with allulose (or other) sugar substitute and Naked Almond Powder, you’re in control of the amount of salt you add, but this nutritional table gives you a rough idea of the breakdown for each homemade Almond Butter Cup.
How to Make Homemade Almond Butter Cups
Here, we’ll add a bit of our own sweetener of choice and salt, plus a little coconut oil, a splash of pure vanilla extract and water. Use unrefined coconut oil if you like the rich taste that coconut adds to chocolate; refined coconut oil if you don’t love coconut.
That’s all it takes to make a creamy-delicious, clean protein-packed nut butter filling for our homemade Reese’s cups. No dairy, no gluten, no preservatives, emulsifiers, odd ingredients or other food allergens needed.
As for chocolate, you have control here too. I made these beauties with vegan chocolate chips, but you can see from the pic below that the kind of chocolate you choose will make a difference in the color and of course the taste. Go dark chocolate if you prefer, or vegan milk chocolate, or full octane dairy milk if you can handle it. They’re your homemade almond butter cups (or peanut butter cups), after all!
I know you’re going to love these healthier homemade protein almond butter cups or peanut butter cups — call them Mock Reese’s if you’d like, and feel free to take two … or three …!
And maybe share some with friends! They make great gifts at the holidays — everyone loves chocolate, and these are gluten free, paleo and vegan!
Healthier Homemade Almond Butter Cups
Healthier Homemade Almond Butter Cups
Homemade Reese's Cups with no dairy, gluten, extra salt or sugar or other things usually in candy! Healthier Almond Butter or Peanut Butter Cups.
Ingredients
Filling
- 1/2 cup Naked Almond Powder OR Naked Peanut Butter Powder
- 3 Tbs. water
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar, sifted (may use sugar substitute like allulose Wholesome Yum)
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 Tbs. coconut oil
Chocolate
- 2/3 cup chocolate chips (I like Enjoy Life Vegan, Allergen-Free Chips)*
- 1 1/2 teaspoons coconut oil
Toppings - optional
- flaked sea salt
- crushed peppermint
Instructions
- Add protein powder and water to a small mixing bowl and stir with a fork or whisk to combine.
- Add salt, powdered sugar, vanilla and coconut oil to the bowl and whip using a whisk, hand mixer or small stand mixer with whisk attachment.
- Prepare the chocolate by melting it slowly, at low heat together with the coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl or in a double boiler. Stir often to prevent burning.
- Arrange 12 mini muffin liners in a mini muffin tray.
- Spoon a small dollop of melted chocolate in the bottom of each liner, then scoop a teaspoon sized ball of filling on top and in the middle so that the chocolate comes around the outside of the ball of filling. Flatten the filling somewhat with the back of a spoon or spatula, then spoon more chocolate on top, allowing it to drip down the side of the filling.
- Repeat with remaining cups until all filling is used; you will have extra melted chocolate.
- Place the tray in the freezer to set. Once the chocolate is cold and firm, serve or store covered in the refrigerator.
- Serve sprinkled with flaked sea salt, crushed peppermint, or unadorned.
Notes
*Note that not all vegan chocolate chips are gluten free! New Nestle Plant Based Chocolate Chips are NOT gluten free -- they are made with regular, not gluten free, oats.
Recommended Products
I may earn a small amount from qualifying affiliate purchases; this amount goes to fund this blog and does not cost you anything additional.
Nutrition Information
Yield 12 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 92Total Fat 8gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 0mgSodium 60mgCarbohydrates 5gFiber 1gSugar 3gProtein 2g
Please keep in mind that nutrition information provided is per serving, which may vary. While we have taken care to provide you with the most accurate nutritional values possible, please note that this information may differ significantly depending on the exact ingredients and brands that you choose to use to make this recipe. Additionally, where options are given for ingredients, the resulting calculation may include all ingredient options instead of only one per line, skewing the totals significantly.
Pin for later!
***I’ve partnered with Naked Nutrition to use their products in order to increase the nutrition in this gluten-free recipe. Some links to products may be affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own. See my disclosure policy for more information. Working with select brands I love allows me to keep bringing you free recipes, and I hope that in the process, you’ll learn about some of the safe gluten free products I choose for my family. Thanks so much for your support!
