Sugar-free Keto Almond Butter Cups

These keto almond butter cups are a rich, chocolatey, sugar-free treat that taste just like the classic — without the peanuts, dairy, or refined sugar.

These cups with their smooth and delicious filling surrounded by rich chocolate not only taste amazing, but they're allergy-friendly as they aren't just peanut-free, but they're dairy-free too.

Do you love Reese's Peanut Butter Cups as much as I do?

I've always loved them, but some of their ingredients aren't too desirable, so I wanted to make a healthier option.

Not only did I want to avoid the peanuts and dairy, but there are other things in Reese's that I'm not a fan of like PGPR and TBHQ and lots of sugar: 8 grams in just one cup. And who can eat just one?

PGPR is polyglycerol polyricinoleate which is used to to reduce the fat content of less expensive chocolate products while keeping the “full fat” taste. 

Thanks, but I'd much rather eat real fat.

Why I Use Almond Butter Instead of Peanut Butter

I use almond butter in this recipe for several reasons. First of all, our oldest has a life-threatening allergy to peanuts, so we rarely have it in the house.

Second, many people find almond butter easier to tolerate than peanut butter, especially if they’re sensitive to legumes, or dealing with gut issues like candida.

Peanuts are more prone to mold exposure (resulting in mycotoxins) during growing and storage, and even well-sourced peanut butter can be reactive for some people, especially if they're dealing with mold toxicity. Almond butter offers a similar flavor and texture without those concerns, making it a reliable choice for healthier desserts.

Ingredients

• cocoa butter
• low-carb sweetener powdered
• stevia extract powder or alternative
• cocoa – carob can be used but you'll want to reduce the sweetener some.
• almond butter – another nut or seed butter can work as well.
• coconut oil
• vanilla
• salt – a must for every dessert, especially chocolate, in my book.

Directions

• Melt cocoa butter. Add other chocolate ingredients and mix.
• Spoon half of the mixture into muffin tins or molds.

• Make almond butter filling. Freeze.
• Roll filling into balls. Place one ball on each chocolate base.
• Top with the rest of the chocolate.
• Chill to set.

Recipe Notes

• Measuring Cocoa Butter/Coconut Oil: Melting the oil/butter first and then measuring it makes it so much easier. Alternatively, fill up a somewhat large container with some water. Then add the butter/oil until the difference in volume is the amount you need for the recipe.
• Mold Options: I used silicone molds, like this one from Amazon.  Of course, you could use any shape, like these cute flower molds. I don't recommend mini muffin tins or other non-flexible option. The candy is just too hard to get out of them and you end up with a crumbly mess (yummy, but crumbly). 
• Bar/Ball Options: You can also roll the filling into balls and dip it into the chocolate, to make an alternative to peanut butter balls, or layer the mixtures into a baking pan for bars.
• Money Saving Tip: Cocoa butter is pretty pricey. Use coconut oil for a less expensive option, but you'll want to keep the candies in the fridge or freezer and they'll soften at room temperature.

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Substitutions

• Cocoa Butter Alternatives: You can use another healthy fat instead of cocoa butter if you'd like, however they won't stand up as well to warmer temps.
• Sweetener Options: Another healthy sweetener can be substituted instead of stevia. 1/2 cup xylitol or other healthy sweetener will work, but you will want to use a different amount if using maple syrup or honey. Just keep in mind how much of the sweetener is equivalent to sugar.
• Almond Butter Alternatives: You can substitute any nut or seed butter. Cashew Butter or Sunflower Seed Butter are delicious alternatives. Using Homemade Pumpkin Seed Butter would make for a fun “green” treat for St. Patrick's Day.
• Cocoa Powder Alternative: Carob powder can be substituted for the chocolate. Carob is inherently sweet, so you might want to reduce the sweetener.

More Healthy Treats You Might Like

Looking for some other yummy ways to treat those you love (or yourself)? Here are some great options.

• Healthy Almond Joy Bars: a real family fave. GREAT for having on hand to address any “gotta have chocolate” moment.
• Amazing Silky Smooth Bean Fudge: yes, I know, but I promise, you'll love it!
• Sugar-free Mounds Bars: a great healthy treat for coconut-lovers.
• Sugar-free Snickers: another great candy bar copy-cat that's also peanut-free!

After many many attempts at making these chocolates, everyone in my very patient family said that they were wonderful. I personally (ahem) couldn't really keep out of them, which makes them a winner in my book.

I think these stand up well against any store-bought filled chocolate and they're fun to make as well!

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What is your favorite candy?