PROTEIN PACKED HOMEMADE NUT BUTTER CUPS

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Vons. All opinions are 100% mine.

Do you ever wish there was a “healthier” version of your favorite candy? You’re in luck! One of my favorite treats to whip up are homemade nut butter cups. Not your average peanut butter cups – these are almond butter & cashew butter cups packed with protein powder!

better for you homemade treats

I think it’s important to treat yourself every once in a while. Especially when it comes to food. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to lighten up your favorite snacks. Or find ingredients to use that make them healthier.

I’m a huge fan of O Organics® and Open Nature® brands because they’re “better for you” plant-based products. They have a ton of non-dairy milk alternatives, nut butters, frozen ingredients, meal options and desserts.

Open Nature® has minimally processed, high quality food products. If you’re looking for plant-based, high protein, or gluten free options – this brand is for you. O Organics® are all high-quality, 100% USDA-certified organic.And they’re always non-GMO!

All of the ingredients I used to make these tasty nut butter cups are from Open Nature® & O Organics®. I found them at Vons here in San Diego, but you can also find them at any of the Albertsons family of stores (Albertsons, Safeway, ACME Markets, Jewel-Osco, Vons, Randalls, Shaw’s Supermarket, Star Market and Tom Thumb).

You can also use any of these stores Grocery Delivery and Drive Up & Go™- which is super convenient! I actually prefer shopping like this because it makes it easier to find everything you need for a recipe.

LET’S CHAT INGREDIENTS

These nut butter cups are great because they’re gluten free, vegan & packed with protein!

You’re probably used to seeing peanut butter cups, but I made three variations of the classic with three different nut butters:

• Open Nature Creamy Cashew Butter
• Open Nature Crunchy Almond Butter
• Open Nature Creamy Honey Almond Butter

They also sell some other fun flavors like:

• Open Nature Creamy Coconut Almond Butter
• Open Nature Creamy Cinnamon Almond Butter
• Open Nature Creamy Maple Almond Butter

So you’re probably wondering what the deal is with the protein powder. First of all, I used Open Nature Vanilla Plant Based Protein Powder as a substitute for powdered sugar. Most nut butter cup recipes call for powdered sugar to add sweetness and change the consistency of the nut butter (making it a bit thicker).

Rather than adding sugar, I like adding protein powder! Not only does this keep them on the healthier side, it sneaks in some extra protein!

You’ll also need some chocolate chips. I love O Organics Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips. They’re gluten free, egg free, soy free, peanut free & wheat free! I also really like that they use organic unsweetened chocolate, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter & organic vanilla extract.

HOW TO MAKE PROTEIN PACKED HOMEMADE NUT BUTTER CUPS

Ok, so the best part of this “recipe” is that you don’t need to do any actual measuring. My favorite kind!

Whether you want to make all of the flavors I did or just one, the same rules apply.

For the nut butter mixture, you’ll want about 3 cups of nut butter for every 12 cups. But, you can always make them bigger or smaller depending on how much you’ve got on hand.

I used one cup each of Open Nature Creamy Cashew Butter, Open Nature Crunchy Almond Butter & Open Nature Creamy Honey Almond Butter.

Put your nut butter into a bowl. Then, gradually add protein powder a tablespoon at a time. There isn’t really a science to this. Just mix until its completely combined. Keep adding a tablespoon at a time until the nut butter thickens up. Basically until it’s a little less “sticky”.

If you add too much, don’t worry! You can just add a little more nut butter to thin it out. It’s honestly up to you based on your taste preference. Give it a taste and see what you think!

Fill a regular size muffin tin with paper liners.

I used 1 full bag of O Organics Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips. Throw them into a microwave safe bowl and microwave in increments of 30 seconds, stirring in between. If you want to get really fancy, add a tablespoon of coconut oil. It’s not entirely necessary, but will make the melted chocolate silky smooth.

Pour a small amount of the melted chocolate into the muffin cups. I like using a small melon ball scooper.

Then, drop a small spoonful of the nut butter mixture in. Again, I like using melon ball scoopers (it just makes it easier and less messy). Divide the remaining chocolate amongst the cups. Pouring a chocolate layer over the top.

Freeze for 30 minutes to 1 hour, or until solid. Whatever you don’t eat can be stored in the fridge or freezer!

Make as many almond butter cups or cashew butter cups as you want, the recipe is so easy! Adding a little sprinkle of sea salt on top is also delish. Nothing beats the combination or nut butter and chocolate!