These no-bake chocolate almond butter cups are gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free, and are the perfect treat for parties and holidays. Vegan and paleo options included!

Spiriteds, pull up a chair. We gotta talk. Have you always known about the unbelievable flavor combo chocolate/almond butter? Because I had not. Not until now, at least. I had heard people talk about chocolate and almond butter. I had dipped one into the other. But it just wasn’t quite the same thing. And when I’d hear people talk of this combo I’d think, “Is that like a Hot Pocket?” No. No, it is not.

This combo holds a spot with the other great combos of the world. Of course, there is always peanut butter and chocolate. We knew that one. Or cheese and more cheese. We knew that one, too. And then there is Tony and Ziva. Because who doesn’t know that one? Jessica Fletcher and her typewriter. Naturally. Strawberries and vanilla ice cream, according to K-Hubs. Fall and football. Peas and their pods. The options are endless.

But chocolate and almond butter? Let’s just add that one to the list now, shall we?

Perhaps this is an aside, but I can’t get enough of these Chocolate Almond Butter Cups, and it’s bordering on the ridiculous. Someone needs to have a birthday party soon so I can make these for other humans.

Ooh, and you can make them in little smallies (because that’s not redundant) or regular size (because that doesn’t sound boring). Either way, you’ll be eating Chocolate Almond Butter Cups, and your life will not feel boring or ordinary or whatever. And so what if you are hiding in the closet during the birthday party, which you only hosted so you could make these but now you no longer want to share?

The struggle is real. Maybe just make a double batch to be on the safe side.

What are the tricks? Well, naturally I made two batches of these delights. It’s what I do. And I must say, there is no need to complicate matters, which is to say I tried to complicate matters.

Muffin tins in regular or mini will do the trick. No need to line or grease the tins, although you can if you so desire. I tried ridged muffin cups for a little texture on the regular-sized chocolate almond butter cups and nothing but the pan for the little smallies. Both turned out fine. I used a table knife to pop the little smallies out of the pan without incident.

I do like to keep mine in the freezer until I serve them. You can either let them soften a little at room temperature or eat them as you would a frozen treat. Toodle likes to eat hers frozen while Twinkle lets hers soften just enough so she can maneuver it more easily. Frozen or slightly melted, chocolate is our jam. So, too, is almond butter. And since I used up all the almond butter making these, and we eat almond butter for breakfast, we are now eating these for breakfast as well. Seems logical.

But back to the tricks. You can vary this recipe to meet vegan and paleo needs. I like 100% pure honey for a paleo option and organic agave nectar for a vegan option. Let me also just add, you can adjust the level of sweetness based on the amount of either of the above ingredients. For example, when I made the first batch, I used very little sweetener, probably closer to 1/4 cup, and I didn’t use any cinnamon. When I made the second batch, I used more sweetener and added the cinnamon. Each was different. Both were wonderful.

As for that birthday party, yeah, I’m mostly serious about that. Having it as an excuse to make more of these AND that small part about hoarding them in the closet. Baby steps, Spiriteds. Baby steps.

Chocolate Almond Butter Cups

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Yield: 7 large or 15 small 1x

Scale

Ingredients

1/2 cup almond butter
1/3 plus 2 tbsp agave nectar (use 100% pure honey for paleo option)
1 cup plus 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted (measure after melting)
1 cup unsweetened cacao powder
2–3 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

In food processor, blend 1/2 cup almond butter, 2 tbsp agave nectar, and 2 tbsp melted coconut oil until smooth, using tamper, if necessary.
While blending the above ingredients, in a separate bowl whisk 1/3 cup agave nectar, 1 cup melted coconut oil, 1 cup unsweetened cacao powder, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Once you think you have whisked enough, stir it a little longer. This will ensure all the ingredients blend well together, especially the cacao powder, which has a tendency to clump together.
Pour just enough of the chocolate mixture into muffin tins to cover the bottom. Set in refrigerator for a few minutes to set. This makes the first layer of chocolate strong enough to hold the almond butter mixture.
Using a teaspoon, add the almond butter mixture to the first layer of chocolate. Spread evenly, if necessary, using the backside of the teaspoon.
Top immediately with remaining chocolate.
Place in freezer until ready to serve.

Notes

Depending on weather, humidity, and just how much coconut oil you add to the almond butter mixture, you may end up with a paste or a thicker mixture. I have encountered both and didn’t find that it affected the taste or final outcome. If you look in these pictures, you’ll notice the smallies have a thinner, smoother almond butter paste, whereas the larger cups have a thicker, more textured finish. Both tasted delightful.

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