Healthier Homemade Chocolate Candies

If it was acceptable and good for you, I am 99% sure I would only eat dark chocolate. I used to think that I had a sweet tooth, but nah- that girl is straight ’bout the chocolate. I try my best to keep better options for my cravings with like a protein bar or smoothie. Sometimes though, a gal just needs the good stuff like a peanut butter cup or a crunchy chocolate bite. With Valentine’s this week I thought I would share two healthier homemade chocolate candies that we make regularly at my house! Plus where you can grab supplies from creation to presentation for your own sweet treats.

Move over jelly, I think most of us can agree that peanut butter was made to go with chocolate. Be a buckeye, a pie, a cookie- if it’s peanut butter and chocolate together it is going to be delicious. Peanut butter cups are a huge weakness of mine. Trader Joe’s sells containers of tiny peanut butter cups, you know what I’m talking about? For a while I had myself convinced they had no caloric value because they are so small. However, as we know they are not calorie free and even being sized for a doll they are still loaded with sugar and processed ingredients. The recipe I’m sharing today is made from a handful of ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. These peanut butter cups even have some added protein to make you feel a tiny bit better about the treat.

There is something very satisfying about a good chocolate covered nut cluster. My husband is a fan of the fruity sweets so we’ve been making a chocolate cherry cluster from the So Easy cookbook for years. Anytime I have tighten the belt on my calorie and nutrient intake, these little clusters are a go-to! They satisfy the sweet tooth with the rich chocolate, chewiness of the cherry with the crunch from the almonds.

Protein Peanut Butter Cups:

1/4 cup natural peanut butter
1 scoops vanilla protein powder
2 tablespoons of milk
2/3 cup dark chocolate chips
1 teaspoon coconut oil

Line 24 mini muffin pan. Using a double broiler, melt the chocolate chips with coconut oil. Spread a thin layer of melted chocolate in each liner then set pan in fridge for 15 minutes. In a separate bowl, mix peanut butter, protein powder and milk. Stir until a very thick batter is formed. Remove pan from fridge and evenly distribute the peanut butter mixture into each cup. Top each cup with melted chocolate, enough to create a smooth top layer and sides. Refrigerate until firm before eating and keep refrigerated for freshness.

this recipe is adapted  from the Clean Sweets cookbook

Chocolate Cherry Clusters

1 cup coarsely chopped almonds
1/2 cup chopped dried cherries
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
1/4 teaspoon coconut oil

Line 24 mini muffin pan. Using a double broiler, melt the chocolate chips with coconut oil. Stir in chopped nuts and cherries until evenly coated. Scoop mixture into the lined cups. Refrigerate until firm before eating and keep refrigerated for freshness.

When making these chocolates together, melt all the chocolate chips and coconut oil together for both recipes. After topping the peanut butter cups, mix the chopped ingredients into the remaining melted chocolate to create the clusters. 48 yummy chocolates made in less than an hour.

Create a gorgeous display of  rich chocolates for your Valentine celebration with these recipes and Wayfair.com! 

 

They have everything {besides the groceries} to create and display the two recipes in today’s post – from the pan and liners, dessert plates to treat boxes for an extra sweet DIY box of chocolates. I’ve rounded up 9 products from creation to presentation with Wayfair for your healthier homemade chocolate candies.

I am a sucker for tiered dessert racks, and a smaller two tier display like this or this are perfect for candy bites- or bite size anything for that matter! Or display your chocolates on a gorgeous marble slab for some serious Insta worthy shots. Add whimsey dessert plates like a Paris theme or heart shaped to nosh on these sweet treats. You can serve them up in a pink favor box for a laid back look or wrap them up in a favor box to hand out to friends. Wayfair has you covered on your kitchen and entertaining needs!

*this post is not affiliated, sponsored or paid. It is in collaboration with the February 2018 Wayfair Valentine’s Day campaign. Search #WayfairAtHome to find more inspiration from other bloggers and influencers on how to sweeten your home this Valentine’s Day!