3 Ingredient Homemade Crunch Cups (Gluten Free, Vegan, Dairy-Free, One Bowl)

3 Ingredient Homemade Crunch Cups (V, GF): an easy, one bowl recipe for indulgently rich chocolate cups packed with crisp rice cereal. Vegan, Gluten Free, One Bowl, Dairy-Free.

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First there were bars, then there were cups. First there was Monstee, then there was me. Well, actually, there was Penny, then Monica (aka Monstee), Jenny and finally me. 🙂 In case you’re a little lost, all of those fine names are my sisters, in order of birth, not importance. . And in case you haven’t guessed yet, I’m the youngest.

I know, it explains A LOT. 😉

As May gets its engines rolling (whatever that means) and we start getting much better weather and even allow ourselves to start thinking about summer fun, the time comes around for one of my favorite official holidays to celebrate: my sister Monica’s birthday! Yep, it’s a national holiday. Ahem.

I’m raising like 100 of these 3 Ingredient Homemade Crunch Cups to celebrate her day. Will you join me? But before we get into the how’s, why’s, and how many can I eat at once’s, let’s hop into the time machine… *cue the storytelling chimes…*

Way back when, let’s say 10 years ago, even though it was really 20+ years ago, Monstee was my big sis, but also my mentor and one of the coolest people I knew. She had cool hair that she could and did flip when necessary, delightful tortoise-shell print wire-rimmed glasses, and rocked baggy clothes like they were her job.

One day, I aspired to grow up to be just like her. To slouch ever so awesomely against a wall and be like, “yep, I’m here, what’s up?” To play basketball like her, to have cool friends like her, and most importantly, to be all-knowing/wise/big-hearted like her.

As I was struggling to get out of my awkward phase (it never did end, darnit), I asked her for tips on how to be cooler. And of course, one of these things was how to play basketball. She was one of the star players on the team and got regularly featured in our local newspaper (told you she was cool!).

That day, she took me out to the court and handed me a basketball. I barely even knew how to stand upright without tripping over my own feet, let alone be able to launch a ball high into the air, and then pray for that ball to sink into a hoop. Still, I had to try. I mean, what if I had some hidden, Michael Jordan-level talent buried beneath my sweaty palms and clumsy feet?

So we did a few practice rounds of launching (yes, launching) the ball into the air, somewhere in the direction of the hoop. Monica patiently guided me towards better form—flicking my wrist, bending my knees for more launch power…

And after a full five minutes of trying, I was ready to go again. I braced myself in the most athletic fashion I could muster, bent my knees, flicked my wrists like so, and launched that ball into the air.

It ended up hitting the backboard, bouncing off the rim, and rocketing off into space (er, outside of the bounds). I got so frustrated with myself and started telling Monica that I just wasn’t meant to play basketball. I would never be as good as her, or anyone else, for that matter. Some people are just born to do it, and some aren’t.

After calmly waiting for me to vent, Monica, my 16-year-old sister, says to me, “Poopsie, why are you so hard on yourself? We’ve only been doing this for a few minutes. Even NBA players have to practice for years and years to get good.”

She looked me right in the eye, patience, kindness, and knowing in her eyes. We both knew why all four of us were always expecting ourselves to be automatically great at everything, or quickly feeling bad if we weren’t. It was because of the pressure we grew up with.

It was hearing all the time: be the best at everything, or don’t do it at all. 🙁

Throughout all this completely wrong mindset we were taught, my sisters always persisted in thinking differently. They taught me and each other that life is about experiences, joys, success, adventure, failure, trying, having fun, and just… growing. It’s not about simply winning to meet someone else’s expectations.

As I grew up, and even these days, I find myself calling Monstee and telling her about some new project I’m working on—how I’m disappointed that I’m not doing better, that I’m unsure, uncertain and feeling like I’m not enough. And she’ll say to me, “Poopsie, why are you being so hard on yourself?”

And I’m 9 again, realizing how silly I’m being.

Nowadays, Monica is this amazing professor who teaches her kids to be kinder to themselves, to open their minds beyond the possibilities that are expected of them. She still kicks all the butts at basketball, but has now added bouldering, running, for realsies shaping young minds, and baking (you heard me) to her long list of Cool Stuff She Rocks At.

So will you join me in raising a few 3 ingredient homemade Crunch cups and toasting to my sister Monica, the BEST friend/teacher/mentor/basketball coach/sister that anyone could ask for? 🙂 Happy Birthday, Monstee. Love ya loads and loads. ❤️

Now, for a few tasty bulletpoints (how does that not sound tasty?) about these 3 Ingredient Homemade Crunch Cups aka Happy Birthday Monica Homemade Crunch Cups. They’re:

• made in just one bowl
• crunchy, crispy, and what’s another word for crispy?
• vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free
• seriously easy to make
• rich, indulgent
• plant-based and allergy-friendly
• sweet-tooth satisfying
• totally worthy of being a birthday present

Are you ready to get your candy cup on? Grab just 3 ingredients, your coolest mixing bowl, and an appetite for all things yummy. I’m so happy to join you in the kitchen, making the tastiest homemade treats EVER! I can’t wait to hear what you think of this recipe! In the meantime, tell me:

What’s your favorite candy cup to date?

1. Almond Joy Cups | Chocolate Coconut Cups
2. Peanut Butter Cups | Almond Butter Cups
3. Cookie Dough Cups | AB Fudge Cups
4. ________________?

Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️

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☀︎ Did you make this recipe? Take a pic and share it on Instagram with the hashtag #beamingbaker and tag @beamingbaker. I would love to see it! ☀︎

5 from 2 votes

Servings: 12 cups

3 Ingredient Homemade Crunch Cups (Gluten Free, Vegan, Dairy-Free, One Bowl)

By Demeter Trieu

3 Ingredient Homemade Crunch Cups (V, GF): an easy, one bowl recipe for indulgently rich chocolate cups packed with crisp rice cereal. Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, One Bowl.

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Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 ½ cups vegan chocolate chips
• ▢ 2 teaspoons coconut oil
• ▢ 3/4 cup vegan gluten free brown rice crisp cereal

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Instructions 

• Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners. Set aside at room temperature. Clear some space in the freezer for this pan—you will need it later.
• Melt the chocolate using the double boiler method, or do the following: add chocolate chips and coconut oil to a medium, microwave-safe bowl (large enough to add cereal later). Heat in 20-second increments until softened and melty. Stir in between heating increments, until smooth.
• Add cereal to melted chocolate. Using a rubber spatula, stir and fold until well incorporated. Scoop about 2 tablespoons of this mixture into a cupcake liner. Repeat until all liners have been filled. Gently tap the muffin pan to create smooth, even cups.
• Freeze for 15-20 minutes. Enjoy! Storing instructions below.

Notes

- Adapted from my 4 Ingredient Peppermint Crunch Bars and my Homemade Crunch Bars.
- Storing notes: store in an airtight container for 1-2 weeks (in the refrigerator), 1-2 months (in the freezer). Best if stored in the refrigerator.
- If storing in the freezer, allow to thaw for 10-20 minutes before enjoying.
- More homemade candy recipes: Almond Joy Cups, Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge, Almond Butter Fudge Cups (Paleo), Paleo Almond Joy.

Course: Candy, Dairy Free, Dessert, Gluten Free, Vegan

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If you enjoyed these 3 Ingredient Homemade Crunch Cups, then you’ll love these delicious candy recipes:

☀ Plant-based Homemade Candy Recipes

4 Ingredient Paleo Chocolate Coconut Cups (Paleo, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Paleo Chocolate Almond Butter Fudge Cups (Paleo, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Protein-Rich)

Gluten Free Vegan Peanut Butter Cups (V, GF, Dairy-Free)

3 Ingredient Homemade Crunch Bars (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

☀ More allergy-friendly candy recipes

Paleo Almond Joy (Paleo, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Gluten Free Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles (GF, V, DF, 5 Ingredient)

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles (GF, V, DF)

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