Gluten, Dairy, and Soy Free Peanut Butter Cups


I've been daydreaming about peanut butter cups for a while now. There isn't much I miss from my 'old' eating habits, but I'm a sucker for peanut butter mixed with chocolate. Can you blame me??

These were so easy to put together, I can't believe I've never tried before! And though I may be biased, I think they're much better than the kind you find in the grocery store check-out display.

Give 'em a go! I promise you won't be disappointed.

You'll Need:
{makes eight peanut butter cups}
1 1/2 Cup Chocolate {I used what I had on hand--a mixture of Enjoy Life chunks and chips}
1/2 Cup Peanut Butter {another nut butter would work here, if you can't have peanuts}
1/3 Cup Powdered Sugar
1/4 tsp. Salt

Useful tools: silicone muffin cups {image #1, below}, a small scoop {image #2}, and a silicone brush {image #1}.

To Make:


Melt half of the chocolate {3/4 cup} in the microwave by heating in a microwave-safe dish in 30-second increments. Spoon the melted chocolate into silicone muffin cups {or paper, if you prefer}, then use a brush to coat the sides of the muffin cups. Bring the chocolate about 1/2 inch up the sides, as in image #4, above.

Place the chocolate shells in the fridge to harden while you make the peanut butter filling.

To make filling, combine peanut butter, powdered sugar, and salt. The mixture will be very thick! Knead with your hands for a consistent mixture, if necessary.

Using a small scoop, portion the filling into eight equal pieces. If you're not using a scoop, roll the filling into small balls, and place on parchment paper until ready to use, as in image #3, above.

When the chocolate has hardened, place a ball of peanut butter in the center of each cup, smashing it down a bit to fill the opening if necessary. See image #4, above.

Melt the remaining chocolate in the microwave, heating again in 30-second increments until it is melted through. Using a spoon, divide the melted chocolate between the cups so that the peanut butter filling is completely covered. Smooth the tops with the back of the spoon.

Transfer the completed peanut butter cups to the fridge to set up, allowing at least one hour.


Note: I wanted to reduce the chance of air bubbles, and create a smooth finish between layers. The cups were sitting in a glass baking dish, so I carefully lifted the dish and hit it on the counter several times between steps, helping everything to settle a bit before moving forward.


This recipe was shared on... Allergy Free Wednesdays

9 comments:

  1. These yummy treats would be gone at my house in about 30 seconds! What a delicious dessert! Thank you so much for sharing your great recipe on Allergy-Free Wednesdays! Be sure to check back next week for recipe highlights (including the top 3 reader choice submissions and hostess favorites).

    Be Well!

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  2. These look absolutely delicious! A great treat to keep on hand for those of us allergic to soy. Especially those tempted like me. ;)
    Thanks so much!

    **Amy. (Gluten Free, Soy Free Australia)

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  3. Looks wonderful! I could easily use another butter to make it peanut free :) Yay! :)
    Cindy

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  4. Yes--you absolutely could! Almond butter or sunbutter would taste delish :)

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  5. These look amazing... I'm a sucker for peanut butter cups too! Any idea what one could use if they didn't have silicone muffin cups?

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    Replies
    1. You could definitely make these in traditional cupcake papers. I'd suggest maybe using the foil variety (I see them regularly at grocery stores), as they'll likely be easier than the paper variety to peel away from the chocolate. Brush the chocolate into the papers gently, to keep the pleated design around the edges :)

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  6. Peanut butter has soy in it, so what brand of peanut butter are you using to make it soy free?

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    Replies
    1. Peanut butter, by nature, does not contain soy. I have found that the more inexpensive options do contain soybean oil as a filler/method of maintaining consistency in the product. At a mainstream grocery, you can usually pick up some Jif Natural--it'll have a tan colored label and brown lid. At a store with a larger naturals section, you should find several brands available... Justin's, Earth Balance, and so on. Check the labels--I promise there are MANY great varieties available!! :)

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