Name: Chocolate Almond Butter Cups
Ingredients: Dark Chocolate Chips (2 cups / 340g): The foundation of our cups. Use a high-quality chocolate (60-75% cacao) for a deep, rich flavor that perfectly balances the sweetness of the filling.; Refined Coconut Oil (2 tablespoons, divided): This is our secret weapon. One tablespoon is melted with the chocolate for a glossy finish and smooth texture, and the other helps create a perfectly creamy, set filling.; Creamy Almond Butter (1 cup / 250g): The star of the filling. Opt for a natural, creamy almond butter where the only ingredients are almonds and maybe a little salt. This ensures the purest flavor.; Maple Syrup (3 tablespoons): Our natural sweetener. It adds a subtle, caramel-like sweetness to the filling without being overpowering. You can adjust the amount to your personal taste.; Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): A crucial flavor enhancer that adds depth and warmth to the almond butter filling, making it taste more complex and dessert-like.; Fine Sea Salt (¼ teaspoon): Don’t skip this! A small amount of salt is essential to balance the sweetness and intensify the chocolate and almond flavors.; Flaky Sea Salt (for topping, optional): A final flourish that adds a gourmet touch, a delightful crunch, and an extra pop of flavor that cuts through the richness.

Ingredients

Dark Chocolate Chips (2 cups / 340g): The foundation of our cups. Use a high-quality chocolate (60-75% cacao) for a deep, rich flavor that perfectly balances the sweetness of the filling.
Refined Coconut Oil (2 tablespoons, divided): This is our secret weapon. One tablespoon is melted with the chocolate for a glossy finish and smooth texture, and the other helps create a perfectly creamy, set filling.
Creamy Almond Butter (1 cup / 250g): The star of the filling. Opt for a natural, creamy almond butter where the only ingredients are almonds and maybe a little salt. This ensures the purest flavor.
Maple Syrup (3 tablespoons): Our natural sweetener. It adds a subtle, caramel-like sweetness to the filling without being overpowering. You can adjust the amount to your personal taste.
Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): A crucial flavor enhancer that adds depth and warmth to the almond butter filling, making it taste more complex and dessert-like.
Fine Sea Salt (¼ teaspoon): Don’t skip this! A small amount of salt is essential to balance the sweetness and intensify the chocolate and almond flavors.
Flaky Sea Salt (for topping, optional): A final flourish that adds a gourmet touch, a delightful crunch, and an extra pop of flavor that cuts through the richness.

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Instructions

Prepare Your Workstation: Begin by lining a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper or silicone liners. This is a crucial first step to ensure your cups don’t stick and are easy to handle later. Set the prepared tin aside.
Melt the Chocolate for the Base: In a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 cup of the dark chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon of the refined coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval. Continue this process until the chocolate is completely melted and glossy. Be careful not to overheat it, as this can cause the chocolate to become grainy or “seize.” Alternatively, you can use a double boiler method by placing the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring until melted.
Create the First Chocolate Layer: Carefully spoon about 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of the melted chocolate into the bottom of each muffin liner. Use the back of the spoon to gently push the chocolate up the sides of the liner, creating a small cup or shell. You want to aim for about a third of the way up the liner. The goal is to create a solid base and walls to hold the delicious filling.
First Chill: Place the entire muffin tin into the freezer for 10-15 minutes. This step is vital as it quickly hardens the chocolate shells, creating a firm base for the almond butter filling and preventing the layers from mixing.
Prepare the Almond Butter Filling: While the chocolate bases are chilling, prepare the filling. In a separate bowl, combine the 1 cup of creamy almond butter, 3 tablespoons of maple syrup, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, the remaining 1 tablespoon of melted coconut oil, and the ¼ teaspoon of fine sea salt. Stir vigorously with a spoon or spatula until the mixture is smooth, well-combined, and has a thick but spreadable consistency.
Fill the Chocolate Cups: Remove the muffin tin from the freezer. The chocolate shells should be firm to the touch. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the almond butter filling into the center of each chocolate cup. Use the back of your spoon to gently spread the filling into an even, flat layer, leaving a small border of chocolate visible around the edge. This will allow the top layer of chocolate to completely seal the cup.
Melt the Remaining Chocolate: Using the same method as before (microwave or double boiler), melt the remaining 1 cup of chocolate chips. If your first batch of chocolate has started to firm up, you can gently reheat it until it’s liquid and pourable again.
Create the Top Chocolate Layer: Carefully spoon the remaining melted chocolate over the almond butter filling in each cup. Ensure the filling is completely covered, sealing it in. Gently tilt and swirl the muffin tin or tap it on the counter a few times. This helps the chocolate settle into a smooth, even top layer and removes any air bubbles.
Add the Finishing Touch: If you’re using flaky sea salt, now is the time to sprinkle a tiny pinch over the top of each cup while the chocolate is still wet. This not only adds flavor and texture but also gives them a beautiful, professional appearance.
Final Chill: Place the muffin tin back into the refrigerator (not the freezer this time) for at least 30-45 minutes, or until the chocolate is completely firm. The slower chill in the refrigerator helps prevent the chocolate from cracking.
Serve and Store: Once fully set, your Chocolate Almond Butter Cups are ready! You can easily peel away the liner and enjoy. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for the best texture and freshness.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 280
Sugar: 12g
Fat: 22g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 6g