These Bite-sized Vegan Peanut Butter Cups Will Give You the Best Sugar Rush

Sometimes, all you need to uplift a dreary mood is some healthy and tasty sweet snacks that won't give you unwanted fats or calories. Here is the classic recipe comprising the rich flavors of peanut butter and chocolate — your familiar and much-loved, vegan peanut butter cups. This recipe replaces traditional dairy products with cruelty-free alternatives, ensuring a delightful treat for vegans and non-vegans alike.

Ingredients:

• 251 gm peanut butter
• 122 gm sugar
• 63 ml coconut oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 252 gm chocolate chips
• 123 gm peanuts
• A pinch of salt

Method:

1. First, you have to put some creamy peanut butter and confectioners' sugar in a large mixing bowl.
2. After that, you are going to stir it till it becomes smooth and creamy without any lumps remaining in the mixture.
3. In the same bowl, you have to add a tad bit of coconut oil and vanilla extract and mix the ingredients properly until it forms a smooth concoction.
4. To this mixture, you have to add some chopped peanuts. Adding the peanuts will make the texture of your dessert more crunchy. However, you can choose to avoid it if you like.
5. After that, you have to line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. And then, you need to pour the mixture by using an ice cream scoop onto the prepared baking sheet.
7. Now, you can use your hands or a spatula to shape each scoop into a smooth, rounded cup.
8. You have to wait until these cups get chilled in the refrigerator for at least 45 minutes and become firm.
9. You need to melt dairy-free chocolate chips in the microwave or use a double boiler for this particular step.
10. Then, you can dip each peanut butter cup into the melted chocolate, and coat completely.
11. You have to place the coated peanut butter cups onto a fresh parchment-lined baking sheet.
12. Once again, you need to refrigerate them until the chocolate is set. This will take about an hour.
13. Once out of the refrigerator, you can serve them immediately with a sprinkle of sea salt or some whipped cream.

For a richer and crunchier texture, you can add some nuts or dried fruits. These peanut butter bites can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to seven days. You need to keep in mind that you can definitely add some salt to the recipe as the peanut butter is fairly sweet. You can choose to use coconut sugar in place of confectioners' sugar as the glycemic index of coconut sugar is comparatively lower.

Since the recipe is vegan, you need to be careful to purchase only dairy-free chocolate. If you are determined to make the perfect vegan peanut butter cup at the very first go, then it would help you to remember that the peanut butter mixture can have a tendency to become sticky. At such a time, you need to add a little bit more of the confectioners' sugar to balance the consistency. If the chocolate coating is thicker than you would normally prefer, you can thin it down with some coconut oil. This dish is best enjoyed crisp, so if you find them overly soft, you need to refrigerate them for longer. You must use good-quality peanut butter so that you get the best taste for this sweet treat. These snacks are so versatile that they can be packed for your children's lunches, and are also great for some quick munching. Additionally, they can also be used as a topping for ice cream or yogurt.

Peanut butter has loads of proteins and healthy fats. Even though this is a super delicious dessert, it is also a healthy alternative to several other sweet treats, especially because it is prepared with vegan ingredients.

Thus, these vegan peanut butter cups will provide you with a sweet, vegan delight that you can enjoy with a sprinkle of sea salt on top, allowing their texture to melt away into that creamy and crunchy goodness when you are craving a late afternoon snack. You can serve them for branches and after-parties as well, and watch how easily your guests are impressed with the humble peanut butter in this exquisite dessert form.