Protein Peanut Butter Cups Recipe - Build Your Bite (2024)

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These protein peanut butter cups taste like a Reese’s Cup. Made with simple ingredients and filled with a creamy peanut butter protein filling, these delicious little desserts will be sure to impress!

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These protein peanut butter cups are quite possibly one of my favorite no bake desserts ever.

I almost always have a batch of energy balls or no bake protein bars in my freezer when I’m craving something sweet.

This time, I decided to switch things up and make a protein filled version of one of my favorite candies: Reese’s Cups.

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The only problem with making your own homemade peanut butter cups is that once you do, the original doesn’t taste anywhere as good.

Ever since I made vegan peanut butter cups and almond butter cups, the real Reese’s just weren’t as good anymore.

Not only were they delicious, but they didn’t leave me feeling yuck as I can control the ingredients that go in them!

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How to make protein peanut butter cups

To make protein cups, you only need 6 ingredients – semi sweet chocolate chips, coconut oil, all natural peanut butter, pure maple syrup, vanilla protein powder, and salt.

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Melting the chocolate

First, add the semi sweet chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave safe bowl.

Heat in 15-30 second increments until the chocolate is smooth.

Be sure to check frequently to avoid the chocolate burning.

Once the chocolate is done, you are ready to do the first layer of the protein peanut butter cups!

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Line a muffin tin with liners.

Add two teaspoons of the melted chocolate to each muffin cup.

Once you are down, shake and tap the pan flat onto a countertop so that the chocolate sits flat.

Place the muffin tin in the fridge for 15 minutes.

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Making the peanut butter filling

While the first chocolate layer is chilling, you will make the peanut butter filling.

For this filling, be sure you are using unsweetened all natural peanut butter. The only ingredients should be peanuts and salt.

I store mine upside down in the fridge before opening to help mix it all together well.

In a bowl, stir together the peanut butter, vanilla protein powder, pure maple syrup, and salt until combined.

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Once the first layer of chocolate has hardened, distribute the peanut butter filling into the 12 muffin cups.

Top with the remaining melted chocolate, then use a spoon to smooth and flatten the tops.

Sprinkle each cup generously with flaked sea salt.

This step is optional, but highly recommended. Flaked sea salt takes desserts to the next level, and elevates all of the flavors!

Some of my favorite desserts with flaked sea salt are vegan pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and chocolate almond bark.

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Place the protein peanut butter cups in the fridge for an hour, or until set.

how to store leftover peanut butter cups

I like to store my leftover cups in a ziploc bag in the freezer for quick access.

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These are just insanely good. Rich and creamy and salty sweet.

Made with real ingredients that you can recognize.

How to make these peanut butter cups dairy free

Are you vegan or dairy free? It’s easy to make this recipe to suit your needs.

Simply use dairy free chocolate chips and vegan protein powder and you are set!

These wont’ last long in your house, I can guarantee that!

Are you making this recipe? I want to see! Don’t forget to tag me on instagram @buildyourbite and hashtag #buildyourbite with your recipe creations!

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p.s. If you haven’t tried these almond butter energy balls and Birthday Cake Protein Balls yet, you need to!

Be sure to pin this recipe for later and followBuild Your Bite on Pinterestfor all the latest delicious recipes!

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Looking for more protein powder recipes? Check out these no bake chocolate protein bars!

Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a star rating below!

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Yield: 12

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Additional Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

These protein peanut butter cups taste like a Reese's Cup and made with vanilla protein. A must have dessert!

Ingredients

For the Chocolate

  • 10 oz semi sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil, measured solid

For the peanut butter filling

  • ⅓ cup all natural creamy peanut butter (only ingredients should be peanuts + salt), chilled
  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup
  • ¼ cup vanilla protein powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt

For topping

  • Flaked sea salt

Instructions

  1. Fill a muffin tin with 12 liners
  2. Combine semi sweet chocolate chips and coconut oil in a bowl and melt in the microwave in 15-30 second increments until smooth. Check often to avoid burning, it will not take long.
  3. Add two teaspoons of melted chocolate to the bottom of each muffin liner
  4. Once done, tap the pan on the counter several times to allow the chocolate to settle flat.
  5. Place muffin tin in the fridge for 15 minutes to set.
  6. While the first chocolate layer is chilling, make the peanut butter filling.
  7. Combine the all natural peanut butter, maple syrup, protein powder, and salt in a bowl until smooth.
  8. Once the chocolate is set, distribute the peanut butter filling into the 12 cups
  9. Top with remaining melted chocolate, then use a spoon to flatten the tops
  10. Sprinkle peanut butter cups with flaked sea salt, then place in the fridge for an hour, or until set.
  11. Store leftover protein peanut butter cups in the freezer in a ziploc bag

Notes

To make these vegan


To make these protein peanut butter cups, use vegan protein powder and be sure your chocolate chips are dairy free.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 200Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 110mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 2gSugar: 17gProtein: 4g

Did you make this recipe?

Be sure to tag me on instagram @buildyourbite and hashtag #buildyourbite with your recipe creations!

Protein Peanut Butter Cups Recipe - Build Your Bite (2024)

FAQs

What is the highest protein peanut butter? ›

MyFitness Olympia Edition peanut butter ranks highest when it comes to highest protein content as it is crafted with added whey protein. With every serving of 32g you get 10g of protein, which is very high when it comes to peanut butter.

Can I mix protein with peanut butter? ›

Yes! Any other nut or seed butter works great in this protein shake. I love using almond butter or even sunflower seed butter to switch it up. Peanut butter does have the most protein, but since you're adding protein powder too, any nut works.

What are the ingredients in Reese's plant based peanut butter cups? ›

Ingredients: sugar, peanuts, cocoa butter, chocolate, oat flour, rice flour, dextrose, contains 2% or less of: sea salt, soy lecithin, natural flavor, rosemary extract.

Are Reese's peanut butter cups gluten free? ›

All varieties of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are gluten-free except seasonal shaped items (i.e. Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs). NOTE: Double check to make sure your Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are made by Hershey before buying them.

Why do bodybuilders eat peanut butter? ›

Just one tablespoon of peanut butter has four grams of protein, making it a good source of protein for building muscle. Peanut butter is also a good source of monounsaturated fat and antioxidants as well as vitamins and minerals that will help your body stay healthy and function properly.

How much peanut butter can I eat a day for protein? ›

Yes, it's OK to eat peanut butter every day (in moderation), says Largeman-Roth. That means sticking to the recommended serving size of two tablespoons, or close to that amount.

What not to mix with protein? ›

5 Common Ingredients That Should Never Be in Your Protein Shake
  • Artificial Sweeteners, Flavors, and Colors. Artificial ingredients can have negative health effects. ...
  • Sugar Alcohols. ...
  • Dairy/Lactose. ...
  • Carageenan. ...
  • Maltodextrin.

What to pair with peanut butter for protein? ›

However, peanut butter works well as a base for a variety of other delectable components. Maybe you've heard of the healthful and tasty mix of peanut butter and chia seeds. You can use it to make a smoothie or toss it over oatmeal for a filling superfood that is high in protein.

Is peanut butter better than protein shakes? ›

There are a number of other vitamins and minerals you find in peanut butter (including the powdered form) that whey doesn't have. And then it's also just an interesting alternative that may add more variety to your protein intake.

Is there real peanut butter in Reese's Peanut Butter Cups? ›

REESE'S CUP BUTTER

INGREDIENTS: PEANUTS, SUGAR, DEXTROSE, SALT, TBHQ & CITRIC ACID (TO MAINTAIN FRESHNESS).

Are Reese's Peanut Butter Cups made by Hershey? ›

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are an American candy by the Hershey Company consisting of a peanut butter filling encased in chocolate. They were created on November 15, 1928, by H. B. Reese, a former dairy farmer and shipping foreman for Milton S. Hershey.

What is the main ingredient in Reese's Peanut Butter Cups? ›

MILK CHOCOLATE (SUGAR, COCOA BUTTER, CHOCOLATE, SKIM MILK, MILK FAT, LACTOSE, LECITHIN (SOY), PGPR), PEANUTS, SUGAR, DEXTROSE, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: VEGETABLE OIL (PALM OIL, SHEA OIL, SUNFLOWER OIL, PALM KERNEL OIL, &/OR SAFFLOWER OIL), HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL (PALM KERNEL OIL, PALM OIL), SALT, PGPR, TBHQ & CITRIC ...

Is there MSG in Reese's? ›

This product is likely msg free.

Are Reese's peanut butter cups healthy? ›

However, neither is a nutritious choice when attempting a whole food clean eating diet. Two Reese's cups include 20 grams of sugar, and 19 grams is added (Smart Label, n.d.)! Justin's milk chocolate peanut butter cups contain 16 grams of sugar, all of which is added.

Do M&Ms have gluten? ›

The following Mars candies have no gluten-containg ingredients: M&Ms (except pretzel, crispy, and potentially seasonal items) Milky Way Caramel Bars (not the original Milky Way Bar) Snickers Bars.

What is the healthiest nut butter with high protein? ›

Peanut butter is among the most affordable nut butters and it's a good bang for your buck—it has the highest amount of protein per serving of all nut butters (about 8 grams). It's also rich in antioxidants.

Which has the most protein peanut butter or almond butter? ›

As it turns out, peanut butter has a small lead over almond butter in terms of protein content. There are 6.7 grams of protein in a serving of almond butter, and 7.1 grams of protein in a serving of peanut butter.

What is a better source of protein than peanut butter? ›

While both peanut butter and almond butter are good sources of plant-based protein, almond butter contains slightly more protein than peanut butter.

Which is No 1 peanut butter in the world? ›

Jif Creamy Peanut Butter

There's good reason it's arguably the most recognizable brand when it comes to peanut butter: it's just that good.

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