These homemade peanut butter cups are super easy to make with simple ingredients you probably have in your kitchen. They are no-bake and contain no refined sugar. Move over Reese’s these healthier sea salted treats have you beat!
My absolute favorite “fun” candy has always been Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Tom bought them for me ALL of the time when I was pregnant with Tricia. I, of course, knew nothing about clean eating way back then.
I very rarely eat them now, because I don’t like putting the processed sugar, fillers, and preservatives into my body. I had an old recipe of my Mom’s but it called for powdered sugar, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and graham cracker crumbs. Not the cleanest of ingredients. So, I decided to come up with a cleaner version that I can feel good about!
Tammy’s Tips For Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
My recipe calls for coconut oil, so they do have a slight coconut flavor. I tried making them with avocado oil instead of coconut oil, but they did not set completely in the freezer. However, I highly recommend avocado oil if you do not like coconut. None of my taste testers minded the slight meltiness on the top and bottom of the peanut butter cups. They are definitely finger-lickin’ good!
I use peanut butter with 2 ingredients, peanuts and sea salt. Be sure to check ingredient labels. Many of the peanut butters on supermarket shelves have hydrogenated oils and added sugar. 🙁
You certainly do not have to use peanut butter. You can use cashew butter or whatever nut butter you prefer.
I scoop the peanut butter right from the container without measuring it and put a spoonful in each cup. You can put as much or as little as you like.
These homemade peanut butter cups use only a few simple ingredients, and are so DELISH! I know you will be saying goodbye to Reese’s just like I have!

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
These homemade peanut butter cups are super easy to make with simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. They are no-bake and contain no refined sugar. Move over Reese's these healthier sea salted treats have you beat!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 4 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla
- approximately 1/2 cup all-natural peanut butter I don't measure the peanut butter. I just put a spoonful in each cup.
- coarse sea salt for topping Be sure to use just a pinch.
Instructions
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Line a regular size muffin pan with paper liners.
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Wisk cocoa powder, coconut oil, pure maple syrup, and vanilla together in a small mixing bowl.
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Add 1 tablespoon of chocolate mixture to each of the paper liners. Add a spoonful of peanut butter on top of the cocoa mixture. Top peanut butter with approximately 1 more tablespoon of the chocolate mixture. Use the back of a spoon or your finger to make sure peanut butter is completely covered and everything is smooth.
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Top each peanut butter cup with a pinch of coarse sea salt. Freeze until solid, about 45 minutes - 1 hour.
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Store peanut butter cups in freezer.
Recipe Notes
My recipe calls for coconut oil so they do have a slight coconut flavor. I tried making them with avocado oil instead of coconut oil, but they did not set completely in the freezer. However, I highly recommend avocado oil if you do not like coconut. None of my taste testers minded the slight meltiness on the top and bottom of the peanut butter cups. They are definitely finger-lickin' good!
I use peanut butter with 2 ingredients, peanuts and sea salt. Be sure to check ingredient labels. Many of the peanut butters on supermarket shelves have hydrogenated oils and added sugar. 🙁
You certainly do not have to use peanut butter. You can use cashew butter or whatever nut butter you prefer.
We recommend using organic ingredients whenever possible.
Molly says
Will be trying these for sure. PB and Chocolate are my favorite combinations.
smallgesturesmatter@gmail.com says
Mine too Molly! The boys and I have been eating my test batches all week! 🙂
Emily says
Sounds good! Maybe if someone doesn’t like the coconut flavor they can use refined coconut oil? It doesn’t have as much of a taste. 🙂 I just got some RX almond butter from the store today and may try that 🙂
smallgesturesmatter@gmail.com says
Thanks Emily! Refined coconut oil doesn’t have the coconut flavor, but I try to stay away from refined oils because they typically get deodorized and bleached. Unrefined oils are pressed without the addition of chemicals. I love almond butter! I’m sure they will be delish!
Breena says
Made these now 3 times, the ultimate best! 😃
smallgesturesmatter@gmail.com says
Hi Breena! So glad you are loving these peanut butter cups! They are a family fave around here. xoxo, Tammy