These chocolate chia peanut butter cups are my guilt-free sweet treat for all the chocolate peanut butter cup lovers out there. They have a creamy peanut butter filling, covered in rich chocolate, with a hint of sea salt, and sprinkled with chia seeds.
I will take homemade peanut butter cups over store-bought any day. And I find that the store-bought versions almost always have refined sugar, hydrogenated oils and many other chemical preservatives. With only 5 clean ingredients, these cups taste like their store-bought counterpart without all the other horrible additives.
And they contain organic superfoods like chia seeds, coconut oil and cocoa powder. They’re sweetened with only 1 tsp of organic maple syrup in each from my neighbours’ maple trees. A much healthier alternative to the regular store-bought version, with excessive processed sugar.
Healthy benefits of coconut oil
Coconut oil is an extremely healthy fat. The fatty acids in coconut oil are turned into keynotes, a very healthy form of energy, which some health experts claim is much more beneficial than glucose and other carbohydrates, and is in fact a superior form of energy for the body. Keytones release gradually in the body, providing stable energy to the body, unlike the sudden spike in energy that often ensues from certain amounts of glucose and certain carbs. Keytones have also been shown to improve brain health.
Some other health benefits of coconut oil is that is improves cholesterol levels in the blood. When applied topically it acts as an effective moisturizer to the skin, helps moisturize hair, and even works as a natural sunscreen.
Here's how I did it
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup white chia seeds
This recipe makes 12 cups, at 125 calories per cup.
Directions
Line a tray with wax paper and place 12 individual tsps of peanut butter on the tray in little disc shapes. Then place the tray in the freezer for 20 - 30 minutes, until the peanut butter is frozen or substantially more firm.
While that's in the freezer prepare your chocolate. Take a mixing bowl and combine your coconut oil, cocoa, and maple syrup. Then place it in something that you can pour with.
Then take a mini muffin pan and line it with mini paper muffin cups. Next take your peanut butter out of the freezer. Fill your first muffin cup with chocolate sauce to about 1/4 full. Then place a disc your frozen peanut butter in the cup. Then fill the remainder of the cup with your chocolate.
Lastly sprinkle with chia seeds. Then repeat these steps for all remaining cups.
Eh voila! Homemade chocolate chia peanut butter cups!
I hope you guys enjoy this recipe and feel inspired to make it at home. With only 5 ingredients, it's relatively easy to make and it's great for kids, or anyone whose a fan of peanut butter cups. Enjoy!
Much love,
Natasha
And in case you missed it, check out my recipe for Vegan Canadian Poutine for the Steemit Culinary Challenge. Sweet potato fries topped with chickpea "cheese" and doused in creamy vegan gravy...
And for more of my guilt-free sweet treats and other healthy recipes click the links below:
Vegan Poutine
Vegan Chocolate Chip Superfood Granola
Vegan Chocolate Date Truffles
Vegan Chickpea Curry
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cups
Vegan Chocolate Ginger Cookies
Cinnamon Chia Overnight Oats
Zucchini Fritters and Homemade Tzatziki
Vegan Pizza and Homemade Pesto
Chocolate Avocado Pudding
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Donuts
Sources:
http://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coconut-oil#section2
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/glycogen/#axzz3mCyCCIye
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/glycogen/#ixzz3mD083vFA
https://www.bulletproofexec.com/start-the-bulletproof-diet/
https://www.bulletproofexec.com/how-to-make-your-coffee-bulletproof-and-your-morning-too/