Heart-Shaped Protein Peanut Butter Cups

I have always had a sweet tooth, and peanut butter cups are one of my favorite treats. I’ve had my recipe for chocolate peanut butter protein bars on the blog for years, but I decided to take a fun twist and turn them into peanut butter hearts. These heart-shaped protein peanut butter cups are fun, festive, naturally sweetened, and have extra protein. What’s not to love? They’re a fun treat for your kids or to enjoy all by yourself. The filling just takes a few minutes to put together and after a quick trip to the freezer, they’re ready to dip in chocolate and cover in sprinkles. Keep them in the fridge to enjoy anytime you want a protein-packed dessert.

Ingredients for Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter Hearts

• Peanut butter: We are using natural peanut butter in this recipe, the only ingredients in the peanut butter should be peanuts and salt. I like to microwave mine a little bit so it’s nice and drippy and easier to measure and to mix in with the other ingredients.
• Honey: Just 1/4 cup is used in the filling of this recipe for some added sweetness.
• Flaxseed meal: I love the added Omega 3’s from flaxseed meal, they are such a great ingredient to add to so many recipes, like my maple almond granola.
• Hemp hearts: Another way to add protein to this recipe, but completely optional if you don’t have them.
• Chia seeds: Another superfood that we are adding to this recipe! High in fiber and protein with Omega 3’s, chia seeds are a powerhouse. They also contain antioxidants and magnesium!
• Protein powder: Use your favorite vanilla protein powder in this recipe to most closely mirror a traditional peanut butter cup, but chocolate protein powder would make them extra rich with an extra dose of chocolate.
• Chocolate chips: This is for the coating of the peanut butter hearts. Up until now the recipe is naturally sweetened, gluten-free, and dairy-free. Choose chocolate chips that also have those qualities to maintain that in the recipe! Or you can use regular chocolate chips.
• Coconut oil: Just about 2 teaspoons goes into the chocolate as it’s melting to help it spread over the peanut butter cups and ensure it doesn’t become completely solid and too hard to bite into.
• Sprinkles: pick your favorite fun sprinkles to decorate! The best thing about this recipe is that you can use a different silicone mold and different sprinkles to honor any holiday or occasion!
• Silicone mold: This isn’t an ingredient, but you will need a silicone heart-shaped mold to make this recipe. If you are ok with regular circles, a silicone muffin pan will also work!

How to Make Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter Hearts

• In a medium bowl, mix together your peanut butter, honey, flaxseed meal, hemp hearts, chia seeds, and protein powder.
• Spray a silicone baking mold with nonstick cooking spray and press the protein peanut butter mixture into the molds. This recipe made 8 hearts. You can also use a silicone muffin mold, and it would make 8 peanut butter cups.
• Freezer for 1-2 hours, and up to overnight.
• When ready to coat the peanut butter cups, melt the chocolate and coconut oil in the microwave in 30 second increments until it’s completely smooth. Stir after each 30 second increment to ensure it doesn’t burn.
• Drop one peanut butter heart into the chocolate and use two forks to carefully coat it. Transfer the heart to a baking sheet lined with wax paper and cover with sprinkles while the chocolate is still warm.
• Repeat with all of the heart-shaped protein peanut butter cups!
• Refrigerate for 30 minutes – 1 hour until the chocolate on the outside is solid and enjoy!
• Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a week.

This recipe is such a fun one to prepare in advance and is a great option for your kids as well! They definitely taste like a treat but are a little on the healthier side. I plan to make them for all kinds of special occasions and hope you do too!