I’ve been on a coconut kick lately. Coconut milk in my smoothies. Coconut yogurt on top of everything. And coconut butter for a midday snack (yes, spoon straight into the jar – no shame).

So it was only a matter of time before I fused my favorite new snack with my favorite dark chocolate! These cups are a match made in heaven. Let me show you how!

Metal serving platter showcasing cocoa powder, coconut oil, cacao butter, maple syrup and salt for vegan Coconut Butter Cups

This recipe is easy, requiring just 5 ingredients!

The base is this simple vegan dark chocolate made with cocoa butter, coconut oil, maple syrup, and cocoa (or cacao) powder. Swoon.

A bowl of homemade chocolate for AMAZING Coconut Butter Cups

And the filling is my 1-ingredient coconut butter!

Also called “coconut manna,” coconut butter is made by simply blending unsweetened shredded coconut in a food processor for 5-10 minutes until it makes this creamy, liquid-gold substance that’s fiber-rich, sugar-free, and utterly delicious.

Food processor with smooth homemade coconut butter

The layering process is simple: a little chocolate, a little coconut butter, a little more chocolate on top, and BAM – you have chocolate coconut butter cups on your hands!

Pouring a layer of coconut butter over dark chocolate in parchment lined muffin cups

I hope you all LOVE these coconut butter cups! They’re:

Chocolaty
Coconutty
Indulgent yet healthy
Naturally sweetened
Satisfying
& SO delicious

These would make the perfect healthier dessert to have on hand throughout the week. They would also make a delicious gift and healthier Halloween candy (!!).

For more healthier desserts, be sure to check out my Vegan Coconut Cream Pie, 5-Ingredient Vegan Gluten-Free Cookies, Easy Vegan Dark Chocolate, No-Bake Brownies with Chocolate Ganache, and Sea Salt Caramel Coconut Ice Cream.

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram! Cheers, friends!

Close up shot of a stack of homemade Coconut Butter Cups that are plant-based and naturally sweetened

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

COCONUT BUTTER

  • ~1 cup Coconut Butter
  • Stevia or maple syrup (optional // to taste)

CHOCOLATE*

  • 1 1/4 cup finely chopped food-grade cocoa butter
  • 2 heaping Tbsp coconut oil (if avoiding oil, omit)
  • 2 Tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 cup cacao or unsweetened cocoa powder (I mixed half + half)
  • 1 pinch pinch sea salt (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare coconut butter and set aside (see link in ingredients).
  2. Add 2 inches of water to a medium saucepan and bring to a rolling simmer over medium-high heat. Then reduce heat to medium and set a medium glass or ceramic mixing bowl on top, making sure it’s not touching the water (this creates a “double boiler”).
  3. To the mixing bowl, add finely chopped cocoa butter and coconut oil and let melt, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon or whisk – about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Once melted, carefully remove bowl from heat (turn off stove) and add maple syrup. First add cacao or cocoa powder to a sifter and sift over mixture. Then use a whisk or wooden spoon to mix until smooth and thoroughly combined. At this time, add optional sea salt and vanilla if desired.
  5. Taste and adjust flavor as needed. I added about 2 Tbsp maple syrup total (amount as original recipe is written // alter if adjusting batch size), but it’s completely up to how sweet you prefer your chocolate.

  6. Because the chocolate is quite thin at this point, set in the refrigerator to chill, slightly thicken, and make coating the cupcake wrappers easier – about 15-20 minutes total, removing to stir/whisk occasionally. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s more like pourable hot fudge than melted coconut oil.
  7. Line a standard muffin tin with 10 (alter amount if adjusting batch size) paper cupcake liners and add 2 Tbsp (~30 g) of the chocolate to each. Use a spoon to gently push some of the chocolate up so it slightly coats the paper liners. Then set in the refrigerator or freezer to chill for 10 minutes.

  8. Once the chocolate is slightly firmer, add 1 1/2 Tbsp (~27 g) coconut butter to each. Then set back in the refrigerator or freezer to chill for 10 minutes or until the coconut butter is slightly hardened to the touch.
  9. Add remaining chocolate (~1 1/2 Tbsp each) on top of the coconut butter and use a spoon to ensure that the coconut butter is fully covered. Then set back in the refrigerator or freezer to chill for 10-15 minutes or until the cups are firm to the touch.
  10. Enjoy straight from the refrigerator or freezer. Or let set out and thaw for 10-15 minutes and enjoy at room temperature for a softer coconut butter cup (my favorite).
  11. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks or in the freezer up to 1 month.

Notes

*If you don’t want to make your own chocolate, simply substitute 1 1/2 cups finely chopped vegan dark chocolate.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with coconut oil.

Nutrition Per Serving (1 of 10 coconut butter cups)

  • Calories: 341
  • Fat: 35.4g
  • Saturated fat: 24.6g
  • Sodium: 7mg
  • Carbohydrates: 11.8g
  • Fiber: 6g
  • Sugar: 3.6g
  • Protein: 3.2g
Barnett John

Author Barnett John

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