If you are looking to cut back on your sugar, but still want to enjoy something sweet, this is a great recipe to make. It has got plenty of healthy fats but is low in sugar. It tastes great and is a good way of getting extra nutrients into your diet while satisfying your sweet tooth.

These coconut butter protein cups really are the BEST little pick-me-ups. I can’t get over these! Who needs corn syrup, truckloads of white refined sugar, butter and dairy when you can have much healthier and good for you candy. Melt in your mouth deliciousness and these sweet bites are PERFECT for your drive-by fridge perusal. You know what I’m talking about?

When you need a quick boost of energy and you head to the refrigerator for something to pop in your mouth. No time to cook anything, just-need-a-little-something-to-get-you-through type of thing. And need it NOW!  And let’s face it – sometimes I make these easy treats simply because I’m craving them myself!  For the last few years I have been a fan of coconut butter.  I have a fun time experimenting with it as an ingredient in baked goods and no-bake treats.

You won’t believe your taste-buds when you try this healthy coconut butter candy recipe. It tastes just like the real thing (read: candy bar) but made with simple, wholesome ingredients. If you are looking for a quick no bake, better-for-you treat, this coconut protein candy is full of healthy fats and yummy nutrients that make a terrific afternoon pick me up or late night sweet! They are going to be your newest healthy obsession and they are SO EASY to make! Keep them in the freezer for a sweet treat that’s naturally sweetened and absolutely delicious.

What makes this homemade candy recipe special is the coconut butter. You can buy it or make you own (recipe below in notes). I’ve recently started using it in everything, from drizzling over oatmeal to blending into smoothies, and here it creates a delicious creaminess that pairs perfectly with chocolate for a truly delicious and healthy candy alternative.Coconut candy is healthier version of homemade candy bars. Naturally sweetened and packed with wholesome ingredients, they are sure to win over any crowd.

If you are new to coconut butter, this recipe is the perfect introduction to this sweet treat! It’s actually really, really good for you. In fact, coconut butter packs a boatload of health benefits. I like to store the leftover cups in the freezer and just pull one (or two) out before I want to enjoy them. They are best chilled + last much longer this way. You can let them lightly thaw OR eat them frozen for a melt-in-your-mouth treat that is buttery and delicious!

I have been experimenting with a new way of eating that incorporates a ton of healthy fats into my daily diet. While not a strict ketogenic diet, my fat-first approach to eating has made a huge difference in how I look and feel. My energy is improved, my skin is healthier and I’m even seeing positive changes to body composition (fat to muscle ration); all without restricting calories.

Healthy fats help you build hormones and they even help your body to better absorb and utilize critical vitamins and nutrients. Healthy fat is wonderfully satiating and balances your blood sugar levels to help reduce unhealthy food cravings. This is a biggie for me as it quells food cravings and that keeps me from overeating.

Studies even show that eating a low carbohydrate diet rich in healthy fats can improve insulin sensitivity (how your body uses insulin) by approximately 75 percent. When it comes to getting enough healthy fats into your diet I recommend eating plenty of omega-3 rich foods. The omega-3 fatty acids found in high-fat health foods are anti-inflammatory and offer tons of health benefits from increased life expectancy to weight-loss. These natural and unprocessed fats are found in seeds, nuts, butter, olives, avocado, salmon, and coconut in all its forms.

I love the new healthy eating trends as its ALL about ‘adding’ to your diet, not reducing or eliminating certain food groups. More protein, more veges, more healthy fats and so on…

This recipe is a great and delicious way to get some extra healthy fats into your diet. Just be warned though, that they are addictive and totally satisfying. And…so easy to make. Just melt the ingredients together. Pour into molds or a dish. Chill. Cut into squares. That’s it. Done! Enjoy!

Many people have very different views on how much fat to eat in a day, but whatever dietary choices you make, all can agree that these treats are high in heart-healthy fat, which helps you to feel full and satisfied with just a small amount!

The new way of thinking is – “Eat to lose fat. Fat isn’t the enemy if you are eating the right sources!” Sounds like a win, right?

Chocolate Coconut Butter Protein Cups

Easy 6 ingredient healthy protein-rich chocolate coconut butter cups that are sweet, creamy and delicious, yet free of refined sugar.  A super healthy way to enjoy your chocolate candy!

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Healthy Clean Eating

Keyword chcoolate coconut protein bites, chocolate coconut butter protein cups, clean eating candy, coconut chocolate protein cups, healthy candy cups, protein candy cups

Servings 12

Ingredients

• 1 cup coconut butter –store bought or recipe below in notes
• 1/4 cup protein or collagen peptides powder
• 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Coating

• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Instructions

• If you choose to make your own sugar-free coconut butter make this first so its ready when you go to make the chocolate cups. Recipe below in notes.

  Line a 12-hole muffin pan with parchment liners or use a silicon muffin pan. You can use regular sized muffin cups or mini ones to make more smaller candies. Or you make it in a pan and cut into squares.

  Firstly, your coconut butter needs to be softened and stirred until smooth. If it's solid (this depends on how warm it is in your house) melt in the microwave in 10 second intervals, stirring after each interval. If coconut butter gets too warm the texture becomes grainy, so be careful not to overheat.

  Or if your coconut butter is not soft enough to spoon and pour, place the jar in a hot water bath. Fill up a bowl with hot water and let the coconut butter jar sit in it for a few minutes. You will see the butter starting to become very soft along the edges of the jar.

  Once your coconut butter is melted, gently stir in the protein powder and honey. Do not heat again after adding these ingredients - when you make the cups you want the coconut butter/honey to have firmed up just a bit so it stays in place.

  To melt the chocolate chips – you have 3 options below to do this. Choose the one that suits you best.

Chocolate Coating

• 1. Melt your chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small saucepan over very low heat, stirring continuously. Remove from heat immediately once smooth.

  2. Or place chocolate chips and coconut oil in small dish and microwave with 20 second bursts stirring between each one until melted and smooth.

  3, Or use double boiler method - (pot of boiling water with a bowl resting on top) melt the chocolate chips and the coconut oil together.

  Assembly

  To assemble the coconut butter cups, swirl a small amount (1-2 teaspoons) of the melted chocolate over the bottom and around the sides of each cup. I used the back of a teaspoon to push the chocolate up the sides of the muffin liner to create a little cup.

  Chill the chocolate for a couple of minutes until firm, then put a small scoop of the coconut butter mixture in each cup. The consistency of the coconut butter will now be "scoopable" rather than melted.

  Spoon more melted chocolate over the tops of each cup to fill almost to the top. If you need to gently re-melt the remaining chocolate, this is fine. Once all the coconut butter is covered, chill the cups until the chocolate is firm, about 10-15 minutes. Then serve!

  The coconut butter cups should be stored in the refrigerator, but they will be very hard when chilled, so you can let them sit at room temp for a while before serving without any risk of melting.

Notes

Homemade Coconut Butter

If you are anywhere near the health food or fitness circles, you have no doubt heard of coconut oil by now. But have you ever heard of coconut butter? Oh my gosh is it good. It tastes like the most delicious, decadent, oh-so-bad-for-you treat. Except, it’s not. It’s actually good for you. In fact, coconut butter packs a boatload of benefits:

It’s rich in lauric acid, which boosts immunity and destroys harmful bacteria, viruses, and funguses.

It actually boosts your metabolism, which aids in weight loss and increases energy levels.

Its a superb ingredient for protecting and replenishing the hair and skin

It’s packed with healthy fats, so you feel full longer.

It’s full of essential amino acids, calcium, and magnesium.

Basically, coconut butter is just plain awesome. It’s so creamy, buttery, naturally sweet and full of nutrients, and it’s hard to believe that this tasty Homemade Coconut Butter from Scratch is made with one ingredient! You may not know this, but a jar of high-quality coconut butter can be expensive.

Yes, that is one of the reasons that you should make you own - it’s unbelievably easy. Besides being incredibly good for you, coconut butter greatly enhances the creamy texture of desserts, smoothies, ice creams, fudge and hot beverages. Even a spoonful out of the jar is not a bad thing.  😊

Once you start using it, you'll find many other ways to sneak it into your diet.

Go here for the recipe:  Homemade Coconut Butter 

Print Recipe

If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, protein-rich, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites