Unless you don’t like chocolate then I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like the combination of either chocolate and peanut butter or chocolate and peppermint, and if you are like me, you LOVE both.  These healthier alternatives to the conventional peanut butter cups and peppermint patties that are full of refined sugar, preservatives, emulsifiers, artificial flavours and dairy taste just about the same, if they were the antioxidant rich dark chocolate version.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Makes 12 cups
Peanut butter, organic and unsweetened (I just spooned it out as I needed it, but probably around 1C)
350g 70% or higher dark chocolate, organic.
12 Muffin wrappers

If chocolate is in bar form, break it up into small squares, if using chips then you are golden.   If you have a double boiler, then melt 1/2 the chocolate otherwise place 1/2 the chocolate in a small glass dish or into a small pot.  Fill a bigger pot with enough water to bring to a boil on the stove but not more than the height of your small pot.  Once the water is boiling, place the small pot inside the larger pot and melt chocolate, stirring occasionally.

Arrange muffin wrappers on a baking sheet or in a casserole dish.  Using a teaspoon, spoon out a heaping teaspoon of chocolate into each muffin wrapper making sure the entire bottom of the wrapper is covered.  Once all muffin wrappers have chocolate, place tray or dish into the freezer for 20 minutes or until hard.

Once frozen, using a teaspoon, scoop out the peanut butter and place in the middle of chocolate.  While you are doing this for all wrappers heat the other half of chocolate.  Once melted pour a heaping teaspoon of chocolate  over the peanut butter.  Place in freezer for 20 minutes until hard.  They can be kept frozen but best to transfer into a glass container and store in the fridge.

Chocolate Peppermint Cups
Makes 12 cups
1 C coconut butter, organic
Pinch of Himalayan sea salt
1/2 tsp peppermint oil extract (make sure it is edible, don’t use essential oils)
350g 70% or higher dark chocolate, organic.
12 Muffin wrappers

To make peppermint filling combine coconut butter, salt and peppermint oil in a bowl and stir until smooth.  From here, instructions are the same as above.

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Warning
Chocolate may disrupt sleep in some and it is a common food sensitivity.
Peppermint may irritate an inflamed digestive system in those who suffer from GERD, heartburn and acid reflux.
Peanut butter cups contain nuts.
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Nathane L. Jackson cscs, rhn
Nathane Jackson Fitness Inc.
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Nathane Jackson is a veteran health and wellness authority, specializing in holistic living.  He has a decade worth of knowledge as a personal trainer, strength & conditioning coach and holistic nutritionist and is dedicated to improving all aspects of health starting at the cellular level by combining nutrition, functional exercise, and restorative practices to help his clients strengthen their mind, body and spirit.  Visit www.nathanejackson.com for information on online coaching programs.