Homemade peanut butter cups for a heart healthy Valentine's Day

Who says dessert always has to be sinful? If you take the guilt out of a guilty pleasure, you just have pleasure.

Recently a friend and I made a healthier version of peanut butter cups, and it tasted even better than Reese's. With less sugar, you don't get that crude burn in your throat, and the coconut oil gives it a melt-in-your-mouth smoothness.

This Valentine's Day, think beyond heart-shaped boxes and do something great for your actual heart. These confections not only have less sugar, but the coconut oil features healthy fatty acids, has antimicrobial effects and is great for your hair and skin. Not to mention they're tastier than anything you'll find in a heart-shaped box!

Since COVID-19 has limited our ability to enjoy a night out or jump on a plane for a romantic getaway, gift these sweet treats en masse to spread the love. People could really use it these days. It being the dead of winter during a pandemic and all. Let them know that they can have seconds or thirds without regret. What better way to show you care?

Healthy Peanut Butter Cups

Ingredients for top layer

• 1/3 cup all natural peanut butter, creamy
• 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• Himalayan sea salt

Ingredients for bottom layer

• 1/3 cup smooth, natural peanut butter
• 2.5 tablespoons melted coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• muffin liners

Instructions

• Line a muffin tin with 12 muffin liners. Spray with coconut oil cooking spray and set aside.
• In a bowl, stir all ingredients for the bottom layer until smooth. Set aside.
• In another mixing bowl, stir all ingredients for the top layer until smooth. Set aside.
• Scoop a heaping 1/2 tablespoon of the chocolate layer into each muffin cup. Then, pick up the muffin tin and shake and tap until the layer is set evenly. 
• Repeat the same with the peanut butter layer, plopping around 1/2 tablespoon on top of the chocolate layer. Pick up the entire muffin tin one last time and shake and tap until your cups are even.
• Sprinkle each cup with Himalayan sea salt.
• Place muffin tin in the freezer until firm.
• Keep them in the freezer fo freshness - we'll see how long they last!

Happy Valentine's Day!