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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups (mini)

    Published: Feb 4, 2021 · Modified: Jan 31, 2022 by Emily This post may contain affiliate links

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    These delicious mini Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups satisfy any chocolate craving. They're easy to make, plus they are refined sugar-free, gluten-free, and can be whipped up in less than 30 minutes!

    I fancied up these mini chocolate peanut butter cups by topping them with a mixture of sea salt and pink pitaya powder. These sweet and salty little bites are perfect for Valentine's Day, any sweet celebration, or just because!

    I've always loved Reese's peanut butter cups ever since I was a child; they were my favorite candy. This homemade version tastes even better. If you love chocolate and peanut butter, you're going to love these vegan Reese's in mini form!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Equipment
    • How to make mini vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
    • How to melt the chocolate
    • Variations
    • Expert tips
    • Storage
    • Related recipes
    • Recipe

    Ingredients

    These are the ingredients you'll need to make these vegan chocolate peanut butter cups:

    • Vegan semi-sweet mini chocolate chips (dairy-free) - to ensure it's vegan, check the ingredients list for milk fat, milk solids, or dairy butter (cocoa butter is okay and is vegan). If you don't have the minis, you can use regular vegan chocolate chips, or a chopped up vegan chocolate bar (no milk products/dairy).
    • Virgin coconut oil - to mix with the chocolate chips for smoothness and ease of spreading
    • Natural peanut butter - preferably unsalted. If using salted peanut butter, don't add salt to the filling. The brand I use is a nice consistency, not runny and not thick. If your natural peanut butter is runny, place it in the fridge to thicken it. You can put a brand new jar of peanut butter on the counter, upside down, to get it to mix.
    • Maple syrup - a natural sweetener for the filling; make sure it's pure and not a blended syrup
    • Nutritional yeast (optional) - adds a savory and umami flavor, plus it adds texture
    • Vanilla extract - vanilla and chocolate go so well together!
    • Fine sea salt - add if your peanut butter is not salted or add to taste
    • Coarse sea salt - to combine with pink pitaya powder to sprinkle on top of the cups. Fine sea salt also works, which is what I have pictured.
    • Pink pitaya powder - 100% pure red dragon fruit powder, optional. It's non-GMO, gluten-free, and has no added sugar, additives, or preservatives. It's completely natural, fun to add, and is a vibrant shade of pink!

    Equipment

    • mini muffin tin - 24 well. If you don't have mini muffin tins you can use a regular muffin tin with regular size liners.
    • 16 mini muffin liners - you can get them in bright foil colors
    • Spatula
    • teaspoon - any small spoon is helpful
    • small saucepan
    • heat-proof bowl (stainless steel works well)
    • small mixing bowl

    How to make mini vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

    It's easy to make these mini vegan chocolate peanut butter cups. Here's how to do it, even if it is your first time!

    • Line your muffin tins with mini muffin or cupcake liners and set them aside.
    • Make the peanut butter filling. In a small bowl, mix the natural peanut butter, maple syrup, nutritional yeast, vanilla extract, and fine sea salt.
    • Melt the chocolate. If you have a double boiler, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in it. If you don't have a double boiler, you can make one. See my tips below.
    • Place the chocolate chips with coconut oil in the bowl and frequently stir with a spatula. Remove from heat before all the chips have melted and continue stirring on the countertop, to avoid burning the chocolate.
    • Assemble the cups
    Top down view of melted chocolate in liners.

    Spoon 1 scant teaspoon of melted chocolate into each liner. Gently spread it to the edges of the liner with your spoon.

    Overhead of chocolate and peanut butter filling.

    Follow with one teaspoon of peanut butter mixture rolled in a ball and then flattened into a disc.

    Assembled chocolate peanut butter cups.

    Top with one teaspoon of melted chocolate, gently spreading it to the edges of the liner.

    Top view of mini chocolate peanut butter cup in muffin tin and decorated.

    Combine fine or coarse sea salt and the pink pitaya powder. Sprinkle a small amount on top of peanut butter cups; I highly recommend this. Place in the fridge for 20 minutes. Enjoy!

    How to melt the chocolate

    You can melt the chocolate in a double boiler if you have one. If you don't, here's what to do.

    Make a double boiler: Place a heat-safe bowl such as stainless steel over a small saucepan with high sides that has been filled with about an inch of water, and then bring that to a low boil.

    Choose a bowl that will sit nicely on top of the saucepan. You don't want the base of the bowl to be touching the boiling water; you want to melt the chocolate, not cook it or burn it. Make sure the bowl isn't in contact with the boiling water.

    When using a double boiler, stir the chocolate frequently. Take it off the heat when it's nearly melted.

    An alternative: If you don't want to make a double boiler, you can melt the chocolate on low heat in a small enameled cast-iron saucepan like this one. It's important to use the lowest heat setting and to stir occasionally. Take it off the heat when almost all of the chocolate has melted.

    Variations

    Add cocoa nibs for variety in texture.

    If you cannot obtain vegan mini chocolate chips, use regular vegan chocolate chips or vegan semi-sweet chocolate (chopped).

    If you don't have maple syrup, you can use icing (confectioner's) sugar, but then they won't be refined sugar-free.

    Stir chopped mini vegan peanut butter chocolate cups into vegan ice cream with some melted chocolate for a decadent treat!

    Expert tips

    Be sure to use enough chocolate on top to cover the peanut butter filling properly and seal off the sides. I recommend using a scant teaspoon for the base layer and a slightly more generous teaspoon for the top layer.

    If the chocolate starts getting stiff while it's cooling off and hard to spread, heat it again over the double boiler.

    Storage

    These peanut butter cups can be stored for up to 3 to 5 days in the fridge.

    Store for up to 6 months in the freezer in a sealed container.

    Related recipes

    • Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Skillet Cookie
    • Chocolate Tahini Banana Bread (vegan)
    • Vegan Chocolate Fig Cupcakes
    • Chocolate Sweet Potato Muffins (vegan)
    Buy Oreo a treat

    I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we did! If you make this recipe, please take a moment to ★★★★★ star-rate it and leave a comment below. Also, follow me on Instagram and Facebook, and share your creation with me! Tag me @resplendentkitchen and hashtag #resplendentkitchenrecipes.

    Recipe

    Side view of stack of chocolate peanut butter cups with salt on top

    Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups (mini)

    Emily Miller
    These delicious Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups are sure to satisfy any chocolate craving! They’re sweet and salty and easy to make, plus they are refined sugar-free, gluten-free, and can be whipped up in less than 30 minutes!
    5 from 80 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 25 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 servings
    Calories 153 kcal

    Equipment

    • mini muffin tin - 24 well, or two 12-well muffin tins
    • 16 mini muffin liners
    • Spatula
    • teaspoon
    • small saucepan
    • heat-proof bowl (stainless steel works well)
    • small mixing bowl

    Ingredients
      

    For the peanut butter cups

    • ½ cup organic creamy light roasted peanut butter preferably unsalted
    • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
    • 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
    • 10 oz vegan semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • 1 teaspoon virgin coconut oil

    For the topping

    • ½ tablespoon coarse sea salt
    • 1/16 teaspoon pink pitaya powder optional

    Instructions
     

    • Line 2 mini muffin tins with 16 liners.
    • Combine natural peanut butter, maple syrup, nutritional yeast, vanilla extract, and fine sea salt.
    • Melt the chocolate chips with coconut oil in a double boiler on low heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat before all the chips have melted and continue stirring on the countertop. Let cool briefly.
    • Spoon 1 scant teaspoon of melted chocolate into each liner, gently spreading it with a spoon to the edges. Follow with 1 teaspoon of peanut butter mixture rolled in a ball and then flattened into a small disc. Top with 1 teaspoon of melted chocolate, gently spread it to the edges of the liner.
    • Combine coarse sea salt and pink pitaya powder. Sprinkle a small amount on top of peanut butter cups before placing in fridge for 20 minutes. Enjoy!

    Notes

    These peanut butter cups can be stored for up to 3 to 5 days in the fridge or up to 6 months in the freezer in a sealed container.
    You can enjoy this cold straight out of the freezer or fridge, or enjoy them at room temperature after they sit out on the counter for 15 to 20 minutes.
     
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 16servingsCalories: 153kcalCarbohydrates: 14.5gProtein: 3.4gFat: 10.2gSaturated Fat: 4.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.3gSodium: 51.4mgPotassium: 64.3mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10.8gCalcium: 34.5mgIron: 1.6mg
    Keyword 30-minute, easy, Gluten-free, refined sugar free, vegan
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Resplendent Kitchen offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site as a courtesy. Although resplendentkitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information from online calculators, these figures are estimates.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Kayla

      September 13, 2021 at 11:00 am

      5 stars
      These vegan chocolate peanut butter cups are delicious! So easy to make and so yummy!

      Reply
      • Emily

        September 13, 2021 at 5:43 pm

        Thank you for your review, Kayla! I'm so glad to hear that this recipe was a hit!

        Reply
    2. Natalia

      September 13, 2021 at 11:07 am

      5 stars
      These sound delicious!! I’ve printed the recipe! I wanted to thank you, Emily, for adding the nutritional values to your recipes. It is most helpful to those of us watching sugar, fat and carbs!

      Reply
      • Emily

        September 13, 2021 at 5:45 pm

        Hi Natalia, thank you for your review and feedback. I'm so glad to hear that the nutritional values are helpful!

        Reply
    3. Choclette

      September 13, 2021 at 11:38 am

      5 stars
      I love the flavour of Reese's peanut butter cups, but find them far too sweet. Love your vegan recipe, they sound so much nicer. Completely intrigued by the addition of nutritional yeast. Not sure why I should find it so surprising when I've used Marmite with chocolate on several occasions.

      Reply
      • Emily

        September 13, 2021 at 5:47 pm

        Thank you for your review, Choclette! I'm so glad to hear that my recipe has intrigued you! The nutritional yeast is there for umami and to add a bit of texture. I'll have to try Marmite combined with chocolate, that sounds interesting!

        Reply
      • Erica

        March 16, 2022 at 12:00 pm

        Oooo! Chocolate and peanut butter! Is there any other perfect combination? I'll have to make this soon. Beautiful pics!

        Reply
        • Emily

          March 16, 2022 at 12:02 pm

          Thank you, Erica! So good, I hope you try these soon!

          Reply
    4. Holly

      September 13, 2021 at 1:55 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! These will be perfect for Halloween!

      Reply
      • Emily

        September 13, 2021 at 5:48 pm

        Holly, thank you for the review! I'm so glad to hear these will be perfect for Halloween. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them!

        Reply
    5. Aleisha

      September 13, 2021 at 7:55 pm

      5 stars
      These are SO good!! 🙌

      Reply
      • Emily

        September 14, 2021 at 12:01 am

        Thank you so much, Aleisha!

        Reply
    6. Stef

      September 14, 2021 at 9:19 am

      These look phenomenal! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Emily

        September 14, 2021 at 9:31 am

        Thank you for your comment, Stef!

        Reply
    7. Marinela

      September 14, 2021 at 4:15 pm

      5 stars
      These mini chocolate peanut butter cups make the yummiest sweet treat for any occasion. Great for parties and family gatherings. What a lovely vegan dessert idea! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Emily

        September 14, 2021 at 5:25 pm

        Hi Marinela, thanks for taking the time to review our Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups! I hope you enjoy them!

        Reply
    8. Anaiah

      September 15, 2021 at 11:14 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! These vegan chocolate peanut butter cups are the perfect guilt-free snack. I'll be making this often and taking some to work with me. They are so delicious!

      Reply
      • Emily

        September 16, 2021 at 11:11 am

        Thank you for your review, Anaiah! I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed the recipe! Here's to making our workdays a little sweeter!

        Reply
    9. Andrea

      January 17, 2022 at 10:09 am

      5 stars
      I'm so excited to try these! My brother is now a vegan, and I know he'd love these. That pink powder is so pretty!

      Reply
      • Emily

        August 27, 2022 at 3:29 pm

        Thanks so much, Andrea!

        Reply
    10. Anjali

      January 17, 2022 at 10:30 am

      5 stars
      These were so delicious and so much better than regular Reese's peanut butter cups!!

      Reply
      • Emily

        January 17, 2022 at 11:39 am

        Thank you for the review and feedback, Anjali! I'm so glad to hear that my recipe was a hit with you!

        Reply
    11. Emily

      January 17, 2022 at 10:58 am

      5 stars
      Thanks for such an awesome vegan recipe! I can't wait to make these again for Valentine's Day!

      Reply
      • Emily

        January 17, 2022 at 11:40 am

        Thanks for the kind words, Emily! I am glad you enjoyed this recipe!

        Reply
    12. Nadja

      January 17, 2022 at 11:58 am

      5 stars
      These chocolate peanut butter cups were delicious and so easy to make. I was wondering about the nutritional yeast flavor but complemented it fabulously. I'm saving this recipe to make again for Galentine's day.

      Reply
      • Emily

        January 17, 2022 at 12:54 pm

        Hi Nadja, thank you for trying out this recipe. I love hearing that it was easy to make and delicious!

        Reply

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    Emily Miller

    Hi, I'm Emily, the photographer, writer, and cook behind Resplendent Kitchen. My goal is to show you how easy it is to cook delicious seasonal vegan recipes that are healthy for you, the animals, and the environment!

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