PEANUT BUTTER CUPS

If you want to treat yourself then these are the perfect little healthy indulgence. They are an amazing balance between creamy peanut butter, rich dark chocolate, a touch of salt to balance it out and an overall smoothness that melts in your mouth. We call them our little drops of heaven. I make them in mini cupcake cases as they are the perfect size, if you are like my son, you will pop the whole thing in your mouth, or you can nibble away and savor every little bite.

Ingredients: (14 mini cups)

Chocolate Layer:

150g 70% dark chocolate (I usually use Lindt)

1 tsp coconut oil

Peanut Butter Filling:

1/2 cup smooth peanut butter

1 Tbsp honey (or maple syrup)

1 Tbsp coconut oil, melted

1/2 tsp vanilla

Pinch of salt

Method: Line a mini muffin tray with cupcake cases.

Break the chocolate into pieces and place in a microwave safe bowl along with the coconut oil. Microwave for 30 second increments, stirring after each time, until the chocolate is completely melted.

Spoon 1 teaspoon of melted chocolate into each cupcake case, swirling it around so that the chocolate can run to the top of the cupcake case. This forms the “cup” in which the peanut butter filling will be.

Place the tray of chocolate cases into the freezer or fridge to set.

Now make the peanut butter filling while the chocolate sets.

To make the peanut butter filling, pour all of the ingredients into a bowl, remember to melt the coconut oil, and stir until smooth and combined.

Spoon the mixture into the set chocolate cases, using a teaspoon of filling per case. Smooth the top and place back into the freezer or fridge to set.

The chocolate will probably need a few seconds of heat to remelt it. Once the peanut butter filling has set, you can spoon half a teaspoon of the remaining melted chocolate over the top. Let it run to the edges of the cupcake cases, helping it along by sliding the spoon over the top. Place the tray back into the fridge and let them set completely. IT takes about an hour for the peanut butter to become more solid, but they are still delicious when they slightly runny too. It is hard to resist eating the whole batch!

Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Kids Corner:

Let your kids lay the the cupcake cases into the muffin tray. It is a very good exercise for their fine motor coordination and enhancing their sorting skills. You can practice counting at the same time.

The older kids will be good at spooning the melted chocolate into the cases. I find that my toddler just makes too much mess and ends up eating all of the chocolate.. maybe yours will be more disciplined. So I let him mix the peanut butter filling and he loves tasting it and saying “we need more honey”, it make him feel like he has a very important job.

Tip:

For a lovely variation, try sprinkle a few cacao nibs or flaked sea salt over the top before placing it in the fridge for the last time.

Place in the freezer to speed up the assembly process.

Try using salted dark chocolate, it is delicious!