Paleo Almond Butter Cups (Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
Paleo Almond Butter Cups (V, GF, DF): a 5 ingredient recipe for rich chocolate cups stuffed with smooth almond butter. Paleo, Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free.
So apparently I have a thing for cups. But like, chocolate cups. Not just regular cups… I mean, I do have a soft spot in my heart for the soft blue North Carolina coffee cup I use every morning. And I do give a respectful nod to the sparkly tumblers that hold my kitchen tools when I’m baking (but I suspect they already know how awesome they are).
Then there’s that extra sturdy cup that holds my cookie scoops and reminds me of my mom when she’s away. That cup is tastefully adorned in moose (mooses??) and shiny as fudge on the inside. She loves this cup because she can drink all the tea she wants and it never stains.
But, what was I saying? Oh yeah–I’m talking about chocolate cups here, folks. I just realized that there are already two other kinds of cups on the blog: peanut butter (of course) and cookie dough (I know). But it occurred to me that there weren’t any almond butter cups on this here blog. What a travesty, right?
Totally a travesty when you consider the fact that I’ve gotten a good number of wonderfully heartwarming emails from my readers who strictly follow paleo diets. They’re so thankful and supportive of the paleo treats on the blog. ❤
But I felt that there weren’t as many paleo treats as there should be ‘round these parts. Probably, but by probably I mean absolutely, why I created paleo Almond Joy and paleo chocolate almond butter fudge cups. So it was high time to bring my cup game to the paleo treats party. And by party, I obviously mean PAR-tay!! BYOT, ya know? Hopefully that only means bring your own treats… and not something profane my internet-naïve mind is unawares of. If it does, simply comment below and I shall immediately change this!
Or not… because honestly all the acronyms mean something, uh… colorful as dictated by the interwebs.
Anywho, I wanted to post these almond butter cups before Halloween hit, so everyone would have the chance to indulge in the treats they so enjoy and totally deserve. These paleo almond butter cups are based off of my peanut butter cups, but with slightly less chocolate to keep the AB/chocolate ratio more delicately balanced. Yes, I am a chocolate cup connoisseur.
Please, also do not tell me chocolate cup connoisseur means some weird internet thing.
*Clears throat*
Peanut butter has such a strong taste that it can hold its own with chocolate. But almond butter has a lighter, more laidback flavor. And thus, my totally legit reasoning for reducing chocolate—see!! There’s actually a legit reason for reducing chocolate! 😉
Give them a taste and you’ll see what I mean. Heck, for those of you who can, make some of these almond butter cups and make some peanut butter cups, too! Taste test and let me know which you prefer. After all, you know chocolate cup connoisseurs like myself really like to “study” our art. Ahem. Plus, you’ll seriously be ready for Halloween, like, woah. You might also want to bake up a delicious batch of these paleo cupcakes by Texanerin. Because: cupcakes + candy = Halloween PERFECTION!
Speaking of Halloween, have you purchased/designed/shipped in from France (if you’re cool like that) your costume yet? Some people get so into it, makes me wish I lived near them so I could check out their elaborate outfits!
This year, and seriously every year, my family tries to plan a theme that we can all participate in. Things sometimes go awry and we don’t get all decked out like we want to. But this year, THIS YEAR, it’s gonna happen. I can feel it! The other day, Erik and I were chatting with my sister Jenny about our Halloween plans. Of course, PB (the nickname for my three-year old nephew) comes over and starts telling us about how he’s already picked out all of our costumes for this year.
First off, he’s going to be Batman, for the second year in a row. Three-year-olds, they’re so predictable. What can I say? Last year, Erik and I got him this pretty nifty costume with a cape, boot-like shoe covers and even this mask/hat thing that he actually wore even though he totally hated hats at the time. #SuperheroSacrifices, ya know? 😉
So he wants to be Bruce Wayne again. As for the rest of us, he’s picked the following: Jenny (his mom) as Wonder Woman (obvious reasons—Best Mom in the world!), Erik as Superman (he seriously is such a goody two shoes–Clark Kent, not Erik ahem), me as The Hulk (don’t read into it—okaaaaaaay, I blame it all on that one recipe testing disaster), and Grams as—drumroll please: HAWKEYE.
Yep, Hawkeye.
When he got to choosing Grams’ (my mom’s) costume, he stopped for a good, long minute and actually put his super tiny, crazy adorable thinking palm on his chin like it was a decision not to be made lightly. In case you don’t know who Hawkeye is, a quick rundown, for humor purposes only:
Hawkeye is a Marvel superhero who is extremely proficient in archery, etc. and has really great vision. As Erik points out, this is pretty ironic since Grams always sees one thing when there’s quite another. She doesn’t like her glasses, totally refuses to wear them, and at times charmingly calls all of us kids “four eyes” in Vietnamese.
Plus, she only sees what she wants to see. One time, Erik and I were sitting down to dinner and were just getting ready to eat when Grams strolls by and says, “Oooooooooooh, what is that?? Chocolate??? Is that chocolate??” She starts smacking her lips while the two of us are looking around the table, searching for signs of chocolate.
Erik says, “Um, Grams, are you talking about these bowls of black beans??”
Grams: “Hehehehe. Oh, I thought that was chocolate!! Is there any chocolate?? Wait, is there chocolate and almond butter??? Or chocolate and almond butter and coconut?”
So Grams, with these paleo almond butter cups I can now say, “YES, these DO have chocolate and almond butter in them!!” And I will keep all bowls of black beans safely far away, where they will not yet again be misunderstood.
Meanwhile, I’m contemplating making these paleo almond butter cups with homemade almond butter! I’m going to be using my friend Erin from Texanerin’s Almond Butter recipe. Everything (and I mean everything) she makes is magic. You’ve got to try it! After that, I’m gonna be all fired up about almond butter and make these almond butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and these almond butter paleo brownie bites. 🙂
I’m most definitely whipping up a batch of these for her and the rest of our hopefully elaborately-clad Marvel/DC mashup family this Halloween. In the mean time, let me tell you all about these super tasty goodies. My Paleo Almond Butter Cups are:
- made with just 5 ingredients
- paleo, vegan, gluten free, dairy free
- made with just the right ratio of chocolate + almond butter
- your chocolate dreams, come true
- perfectly sweet and lightly nutty
- so tasty when made with this paleo chocolate bar
- plant-based and allergy-friendly
- made with feel-good ingredients
- perfect for Halloween, and all the holiday parties
- so good after a nice filling dinner (perhaps with black beans)
- (but still) SO not a bowl of black beans
Make a batch and feel the special pride that comes only from opening your own candy shop—okaaaay—the special pride that comes from making your own candy. It’s AWESOME. What are your plans for Halloween? If you don’t celebrate, what holiday are you looking forward to most? If you do, are you going to do a family-themed costume? Tell me all about it and send over some suggestions, I’d love to hear ‘em!
Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤
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If you enjoyed these easy paleo vegan almond butter cups, you might enjoy these healthy homemade candy recipes:
- Peanut Butter Crunch Bars
- 2 Ingredient Chocolate Coconut Candy Clusters
- Keto Peanut Butter Cups
- 3 Ingredient Homemade Crunch Bars (Gluten Free)
- Chocolate Almond Bark
Tools to make Paleo Almond Butter Cups
- Paleo Vegan Dark Chocolate – such an amazing chocolate bar! Made with coconut sugar, and so seriously satisfying. .
- Creamy Almond Butter – a great brand of almond butter that has a smooth, rich flavor.
- Parchment Cupcake Liners – the best way to make sure you get those perfect ridges on your paleo almond butter cups, and that they don’t stick to the pan. .
- Coconut Flour – a serious paleo baking staple!
Paleo Almond Butter Cups (Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
- Yield: 12 cups 1x
Description
Paleo Almond Butter Cups (V, GF, DF): a 5 ingredient recipe for rich chocolate cups stuffed with smooth almond butter. Paleo, Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free.
Ingredients
Filling
- 1/2 cup unsalted, natural almond butter*
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon coconut flour
Chocolate Coating
- 2 cups vegan chocolate chips or chopped paleo vegan chocolate
- 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons coconut oil
Instructions
- Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners. Set aside. Clear some space in the freezer for this pan.
- Make the filling: In a small bowl, whisk together almond butter, maple syrup and coconut flour . Whisk until well incorporated. When the filling gets harder to stir, switch to folding with a rubber spatula. Cover the bowl and place in the freezer for 15-20 minutes, allowing the filling to chill and harden for easier molding. Clear a small workspace for assembling the filling later—a plate or a cutting board is fine.
- Remove bowl from freezer. Scoop 2 teaspoons of filling into your hands and mold into a flat disc. Set onto the workspace, making sure to space discs apart so they don’t touch. Repeat until you’ve made 12 discs. Set aside.
- Melt the chocolate: Use the double boiler method or the following: in a medium, microwave-safe bowl, add chocolate and coconut oil. Place in the microwave and heat for 30 seconds. Stir. Heat again in 20-second increments until the chocolate chips are just softened and melty. Stir until smooth.
- Make the cups: Drop 2 teaspoons of melted chocolate into each muffin cup. Tap the pan to smooth chocolate into an even layer, filling the bottom of the cup. Gently lay an almond butter disc flat on top of the melted chocolate layer. Repeat for all cups. Spoon 2 teaspoons of melted chocolate over an almond butter disc. Gently spread until you get an even top. Repeat for all cups. Tap the pan a few times to even out the chocolate.
- Place muffin pan into freezer. Freeze for 15-20 minutes. Remove from freezer. Allow to thaw for 10-20 minutes. Peel off cupcake liners. Enjoy! Storing instructions below.
Adapted from my homemade Peanut Butter Cups.
Also try my Paleo Vegan Brownies and my Vegan Coconut Truffles.
Notes
– *Make sure you use almond butter that only has one ingredient: almonds. Your almond butter should be naturally drippy and liquidy to work in this recipe.
– Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 weeks.
– Freezing instructions: store in an airtight container in the freezer for 1-2 months. Allow to thaw for 10-20 minutes before enjoying.
- Category: Candy, Paleo, Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free
© beamingbaker.com. All content and images are protected by copyright. Please do not use my images or recipe without my permission. If you wish to republish this recipe, please re-write the entire recipe using your own words and include a link to this post for the recipe.
☀︎ More healthy paleo dessert recipes ☀︎
No Bake Paleo Chocolate Almond Butter Bars | Paleo Almond Joy (Vegan, Paleo, Gluten Free, Dairy Free) | Homemade Almond Joy Cups | Ultimate Fudgy Paleo Vegan Brownies | Paleo Mocha Frappe | No Bake Almond Butter Paleo Brownie Bites | Paleo Apple Pecan Coconut Crisp | Almond Joy Ice Cream | Vegan Ice Cream Bars | Chocolate Coconut Cups | No Bake Chocolate Coconut Bars
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These seriously hit the spot when I’m facing a chocolate craving. Which is basically all the time. 😉
Oh yeah, I totally feel you there! .
Hi , these sound amazing. Can’t wait to make them. Question… How do I find out the nutrition facts?
Thanks,
Erica
Hi Erica! I’m actually in the process of adding nutrition facts to all the older recipes on my site, but it’s a slow process. In the meantime, here’s a helpful tool for calculating nutrition info. Hope this helps! https://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe_parser
Not sure if this was answered yet or not but would you consider this recipe keto friendly? I am new to the diet so it seems like the flour would be an issue but I am not sure.
Thanks ever so kindly!
Hi Maria! I’m not an expert on the keto diet, but as far as I know, coconut flour should be just fine. 🙂 Best of luck!
These are absolutely delicious. I followed the directions exactly, but for some reason the chocolate definitely melts in your hands and becomes messy quickly. Is there anything I can do to prevent this?
So glad you enjoyed the taste, Debra. 🙂 You can reduce the amount of coconut oil, or allow the cups to set in the refrigerator over night. Then, allow the cups to reach room temperature in a cool, dark environment. Hope this helps! 🙂
Thanks will try that.
Great post! Have nice day ! 🙂 olkll
Thank you! Have a great day, Thomas! 🙂
Well, there is definitely something in the air connecting us, because we spent yesterday helping to make my 8 year old nephew’s costume – he is being (you guessed it) HAWKEYE! Meantime, love the almond butter spin on these irresistible chocolate cups – YUM.
Aww PB is SO cute!! Also, Wonder Woman for mom?! Can you get any more adorable?!!! Anyway cup queen (LOL) loving these almond butter cups! I made some way back when – and just looking at these I know how delicious they must be!
I love these chocolate cups! Swapping the peanut butter for almond butter is such a great idea!
Now you are talking my chocolate language. Chocolate almond cups are my fav and I’ll be making these with dark chocolate, fo sho! The hulk for you is awesome and bet your nephew is so adorable as Batman! We are going to a Halloween party tonight and I’m going as Bob Ross and J (hubby) is going as the happy tree. lol! Maybe next year we can go as a cooler couple, like Black Widow and Hawkeye. Please ask Grams if we can borrow her outfit for next year. hahahaha!
Ooooh, dark chocolate and almond butter were seriously meant to be together. YUM! WHaaaaaa? I MUST see photos of this Halloween delight!! So funny, Erik and I were just talking about Bob Ross–who wouldn’t right? Lolol. And YES on next year’s costume! I’ve asked Grams and she said “yes!!!” Haha. Hope you had a great time, Karrie! 🙂
I’m not surprised you love chocolate cups, I LOVE your chocolate cup recipes! And I bet these almond ones tastes amazing just like your peanut butter, and cookie dough ones. Gorgeous photos, too! Have an awesome weekend, Demeter! 🙂
I like cups of all kinds too, but the chocolatey kind are by far my favorite! Not even a competition really, you can’t eat ceramic or plastic now can you…so chocolate wins. Where I am a little more indecisive is my preference for AB vs. PB–I flip-flop. PB is distinct, it’s bold, it’s unmistakeable. AB is subtle, it blends into so many things, it sounds more sophisticated. Such a hard decision. So I think I’ll just go with your make both plan!! Bringing chocolate goodies to all the dietary preference peeps, how very kind of you. Hahahaha the Hulk. That’s an interesting choice PB (oh by this is getting confusing…I’m talking about your Nephew now). I do appreciate how you cleverly tied the costume talk right back into the chocolate talk. All convos lead back to chocolate! Still waiting on mine, that dang shipping from France takes so long lol. I hope there is some weekending in your weekend! xo
Totally not a competition–if it can’t be eaten, then what’s the point? Besides, um, holding things like spoons and tea? 😉 Such a hard decision, for sure! I guess that can both exist to provide variety–the wonderful spice of life and all of that. 😉 PB–lolol. Right? Now I just need to nickname a family member or friend (ahem) AB, so I can make it all the more confusing! Any takers??? 😉 All convos TOTALLY lead back to chocolate! 🙂 Sending good vibes for some weekending in your weekending too! xoxo
I am so glad you rectified that the travesty of not having any paleo friendly almond chocolate cups, Demeter! Actually – you could fill these cups with pureed brussels sprouts or anything else and I will sit here on the other side of my screen and drool! You really do have a way with cups!
And – hehe – your PB wants his version of the Avengers for Halloween! Can he pick me out a character/suit too – maybe if my daughter sees me getting dressed up she might wanna join too as as of right now she just wants to turn the lights off and watch scary movies and I think am allergic to scary movies! 🙁
BTW, your mom sounds like my dad – my dad would often tell us he couldn’t see, then one Christmas, he looks at my cousin (Dalo) and tells him “Dalo there’s chocolate frosting on shirt and your fly is undone!” .
<3 Hope you and Erik have a wonderful weekend!xo
Haha. Shashi, you ALWAYS give me such a good laugh! 😉 Pureed brussels sprouts… hmm, let me put that far down the list of my next cup fillings to try. Haha. I don’t want to test our friendship or anything–even if you’ll follow me to the end! Haha. He TOTALLY wants the Avengers!! And more! Lolol. Dalo & Dad: Lolololol. What a thing to say! Your dad–it’s settled, now I know where you get all of your fantastic sassiness from. 😉 Have a wonderful weekend, Shashi. xoxo
I can relate to your “thing for cups”… 🙂 because I too am one of that kind. I have my coffee mugs, tea cups, tumblers and glasses which I refuse to share with anyone (I think my daughter is more liberal when it comes to sharing..)
I can see everybody around talking about Halloween, every other blog, the recipes, costumes and what not. Though I might not be in the middle of a celebration, I still feel so much a part of it that I can sense the spookiness in the air.. lol..
Your almond butter cups looks so delicious. I have never had almond butter, but looks like your recipe would be the excuse to try it.
PS: Your photos are so tempting that I could get straight into it and start eating all of those yummy cups. I am still an amateur when it comes to photography but I am practicing and hopeful that I will be able to click pictures like you very soon.. 🙂
So many cups–they all sounds wonderful! 😉 The spookiness in the air–that sounds magically fun! I like it, Puja! 🙂 You totally have to try almond butter! It’s very interesting when you first try it–and it gets better the more you enjoy it. Photos: Aw, thank you so much, Puja! I’ve still got a lot of practicing to do–let’s do it together! xo
Your nephew is SO stinking cute it HURTS. I have zero idea what my niece and nephew are dressing as this year… being a few states away from home leaves me completely out of the loop. But we were thinking of dressing Dolce up as the big bad wolf.. since she looks like a wolf. And she’s naughty. Lol. Anyways, I love that you drink out of a NC cup! Tell me you think of me everytime you use it!!! Because besties and all. Okay okay, enough rambling. You, my dear are the chocolate cup Queen. And just the vegan dessert queen in general, so of course these cups are nothing short of FABULOUS. JUST LIKE YOU! Love that you switched things up with the almond butter! You lil genius! Pinned of course!! Cheers xoxo
P.s. I’m still waiting on my white chocolate cups! 😉
P.s.s. you will make a wonderful hulk.. but you will need to buy a fat-muscle suit.
Aw, thank you!! I’m gonna tell his mama so she can be stinkin proud! 😉 Oh. My. Goodness. Dolce as the big bad wolf??? You HAVE to send me pictures. As besties, it’s your sworn duty to send me the cutest photos on earth. Just sayin’. 😉 NC cup <--how'd you know?? Like, that cup might as well be my "Chey is the BEST Bestie EVER" cup. Duh! <3 Love your p.s.'s Smoochies! xoxo
Demeter, those pretty swirls get me every time! Swoon! Just fyi, two of my nephews are going as the same thing that they did last year as well, both ninjas 🙂 I love that you made some paleo cups! You are definitely the queen of the chocolate cup, my friend! These are definitely making my chocolate dreams come true and yes, I’m grateful that they’re not a bowl of black beans… though, let’s face it, I wouldn’t say no to that either, because food. 😉 Pinning and bog hogs, D!
You know I do them just for you. 😉 Ninjas: Is this a thing with kiddos nowadays? I remember us kiddos being so much more flighty and mercurial. Lol. Aren’t they supposed to hate what they loved last year? Kids these days… Haha. I’m so glad that you’re glad that these are not a bowl of black beans. Lololol. Thanks Steph! Boggiest bog hogs! xo
These little lovelies would not last long in our home. I bet you will have trick or treater lined up around the block once the word gets out.
They most certainly wouldn’t! 😉 So let’s not the word get out, okay? 🙂 Thanks so much Bobbi! xo
I think we need some hazelnut butter cups next! Like…nutella cups…but vegan and delicious!
Great idea! That sounds so good! Thanks Rebecca. 🙂
Isn’t these cups just amazing? I mean, almond butter and chocolate… delicious combo! Love healthy snacking so THIS is just perfect. PS I love the roles you all have this year 😀 You as Hulk… LOL! Sharing this! Have a lovely weekend Demeter! Cheers!
I like to think so! 😉 Those two ingredients are just meant to be together, right? 🙂 Can you imagine me as the Hulk? Lolol. Thank you my friend. Hope you have a most wonderful weekend! xo
Hope to see some pictures of mean green big you haha 😀 Thanks friend 😉
Lolol. We’ll see… we’ll see. 😉 Bahahaha. xx
I definitely have a thing for cups too…chocolate and non-edible ones! I love mugs and have to restrain myself from buying them. It just makes my coffee and tee that much more fun! 🙂 But these almond butter cups…I think they would quickly become my favorite. Such a great idea, Demeter! I am HOOKED on almond butter, so I know these would last all of 2.5 seconds in my house. What a great treat for the fall! Pinned, of course! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
It’s official, you and I share a good love for cups! 😉 So true on making your bevs much more enjoyable–especially a fun cup! 🙂 Thank you for pinning my friend! Have a wonderful weekend! xo
I’m thinking that I will venture in zoombie-dom for my Halloween costume this year. Mostly, cause I wanna have a little fun playing with the makeup. But, I don’t think it will be the actual day of Halloween, probably the weekend before on Saturday…like I said before, don’t wanna scare the kids coming to the door! Our furry child has a couple of super hero Halloween costumes and we may just break them out over the course of the weekend/Halloween. It’ll definitely be fun taking pics 😀
You are definitely a chocolate cup connoisseur and that’s surely a good thing to be 😉 I love all kinds – peanut butter, almond butter….whateves…they are all delish in my book! If you want to have a taste tester, I’ll gladly do that for you….hehehe. Pinned, of course! Have a wonderful weekend, Demeter!!
Zombie-dom sounds AWESOME!! Tell me more… 😉 Lol on scaring the kids. You are way nicer than me and Erik–scaring kids is just good fun! Hahaha. 😉 I can’t wait to see so many pics of your furry child in all the costumes! I’m totally already fainting from cuteness overload here. Come on over for a 10-course taste-testing 😉 Have a great weekend, D! xo