I can remember the first time I tried a Reeces Peanut Butter Cup. It was on my first trip to New York, our honey moon, and we went to the Hershey’s store in Times Square. I tried one pack, then went pack and bought another five to bring home with me, I was hooked! I still love a good Reeces Cup and since we can get them here in the UK now, I do indulge occasionally. However, I like to get some of my sweet fixes with more health promoting properties these days, enter the world of raw desserts.
When I first started blogging, raw sweets and desserts were such a revelation. You could make something that more often than not would taste better than the processed chemical coated sugar laden version, while also being good for you! I started experimenting myself making recipes such as my raw cookies and cream cheesecakes, raw millionaires shortbread and raw caramel pecan cake. I also developed a love of raw chocolate which I could enjoy virtuously without the sugar hangover I would often get from regular versions of chocolate.
Last week I found a great round up of raw desserts on Brit+Co which really made me crave a raw dessert treat! At the same time I was thinking about making some of my raw salted caramel sauce and this recipe was born.
Unlike Reeces Peanut Butter Cups, these sweet treats come with a host of antioxidants and minerals as well as super healthy fat from the coconut oil.
I didn’t have any cashews as per my raw salted caramel sauce recipe, so I subbed some home made cashew coconut butter. However I think that some regular raw or roasted cashew butter would work just as well, here we go!
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, divided
- 1/2 cup of raw cacao powder or cocoa powder, divided
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar, divided
- 1 cup dates
- 1/4 cup cashew butter (raw to keep the recipe raw)
- 2 tbsp maple syrup (or agave for strictly raw)
- 1/4 - 1/2 tsp salt
- Start by making the caramel filling by soaking the dates in water for 2 hours. Then drain them, reserving the water and add to a food processor along with the cashew butter and maple syrup. Process, adding some of the date soaking water if needed, into a thick, smooth mixture. Add the salt according to taste and re blend. Transfer to a bowl and chill in the fridge.
- To make the first batch of raw chocolate, melt 1/4 cup coconut oil then mix with 1/4 cup cacao powder and 2 tbsp coconut sugar. Divide the melted raw chocolate between 4-5 silicone cupcake cases (or whatever mould you'd like to use) then transfer them to the freezer to harden.
- Once they have hardened take out of the freezer and add a blob of the salted caramel filling. Pat it down slightly so that it's a flat disk, but so that it does not make contact with the silicone mould. Pop into the freezer and repeat the process for making the raw chocolate.
- Pour the melted raw chocolate into each case so the salted caramel filling is covered. Top with a small sprinkling of salt if desired and return to the freezer to harden completely.
- Keep frozen or refrigerated and enjoy!
- Feel free to use other sweeteners, personally I like the grittiness of coconut sugar in raw chocolate, but stevia, agave or rice syrup all works, just add a little more cacao powder if using a liquid sweetener.
Do you like salted caramel? Are you a nut butter cup fan?
Loving your pictures! Nice camera and even though its 8.30am one of those cups looks pretty appealing right now:) I had a batch of peanut butter cups in the freezer but alas ate them all so these look like a worthy replacement!
Thanks Kezia! I used to love eating raw desserts for a treat breakfast!
I love recipes like this – so delicious looking yet healthy! I can’t wait to give these a go!
Thanks Lauren, enjoy!
Yu-hum! I make a raw caramel chocolate cups too. Definitely a favourite. I’ve always used almond butter in my caramel but will have to try the cashew. I have a ton to use up!
Oh I think the cashew butter makes it more buttery tasting almost, delicious!
I love reeces peanut butter cups too and I often make my own raw version – which I actually much prefer. Although, whenever I am in the states I do stock up on the real thing, as it is so much cheaper than over here.
I like to get the bags of mini cups when I’m in the states although they are addictive!
Now the only question is… to make my own cashew butter or buy a jar! I may have to try these with hazelnut butter in the meantime – I’m guessing they’ll be just as delish!
Oh make the cashew butter with some coconut in, it is amazing! I just mixed half and half cashews and desiccated coconut, so yum!
Yum! These look so so so good! I never used to be a caramel fan, but now I’m OBSESSED!
Caramel is the best thing ever, with that added salt too, yum!
Salted caramel lets regular pale in comparison. Ironically, I was astonished by the combination at first when a friend of mine offered me salted caramel lollipops she’d brought back from France years ago. But then it was fondness at first lick ;).
haha yes I can remember when the sweet and salty thing just started, I’ve managed to get a few friends of mine hooked!
Ahhh salted caramel is just amazing. It’s sort of exploded over here hasn’t it? There’s a real love for it. It’s like sweet and salty popcorn as well, such a good combo.
I’m actually not a huge peanut butter fan really. I like it, it’s OK, but I don’t go crazy for it like some bloggers. But mixed with caramel sounds divine!
It certainly has and I’m very happy about that! Yep peanut butter is definitely a blogger thing although I think I prefer almond butter now :-)
Ohmygoose, these look absolutely drool-worthy! Of course they must taste more fabulous than boring ol’ Reeses Cups. Am I the only human who dislikes them? Probably because my first taste was quite recent – after my taste buds had done abit of evolving since a tot – and frankly; after 2 bites I was all “what is the hype about this?? I can’t..”
Mmm I recall clearly the first time having raw chocolate on holiday! It had a brazil nut creme centre..uhm, yeah it was pretty sensational.
They absolutely do! And I’m sure you aren’t the only one that doesn’t like them – especially if you’ve had them hyped up to you! Mmm, brazil nut creme? That sounds incredible!
Not a fan of Reese’s for obvious reasons (pesky peanutssss), but these are some cups that I can definitely get behind! The combination of chocolate and nut butter is always a winner :D
Yep you can just never go wrong with chocolate and nuts!
Yum, these look right up my street. Raw desserts are the best!
Oh my gosh, these look DELICIOUS! Seriously, you are so creative!
Thanks Katie!
Oh myyyy..these look flippin amazing!! And well done on the photography skills already! ;)
I love reeces cups..I think my first time having them was in New York too! Miss that place so much..need to go back for my third time soon I reckon :)
Thanks Nicky, I’m trying to get the hang of it. I definitely need to get to NYC soon although it could be a while now!
OMG gonna have to give these a go, yum!!
Let me know if you try them Tam!
drooling over here!! these look perfect
Thanks! They taste so good :-)
Another recipe for me to try! Thanks Laura!
Ooh! This looks scrumptious! I love that salty sweet combo and I also LOVE any form of nut butter!
Delicious recipe, Laura!
http://youtube.com/addalittlefood
Thanks Millie!
I love pb cups, but I do not love reading the ingredients list! The Justin’s ones are better, but very expensive (and not easy to find). These look so good, but I imagine I would eat the batch the same day that I made them!
I do like salted caramel, but I prefer nutty things to caramel things generally- sometimes caramel hurts my teeth :(
I’ve never tried the Justins ones but would love to give them a try. I like salted caramel and nuts together!
Wow these look seriously delicious! I’m definitely going to give these a go!
Oh wow! I think it’s sooo interesting that you didn’t have Reese’s Cups available in the UK until recently!!! OMG they were my heaven for so many years! And then my hell, of course, when I went overboard with the Bulimia. But seriously, hands down, they are the most delicious “treat” in the world. Especially the ones with extra peanut butter… the eggs, hearts, and christmas trees!!! That said, your recipe sounds divine. I like the one by Alicia Silverstone in The Kind Diet. xo
These look amazing! Just the right amount of gooey inside.
Beautiful photos – they’re giving me cravings for some of these right now!