Pitaya Coconut Peanut Butter Cups

Happy Valentine’s Day! A day full of love and sweets seemed like the perfect day to share my Pitaya Coconut Peanut Butter Cups. So quick and easy you can still make them for your Valentine, or just keep them all yourself!

A pretty pink twist on my Vanilla Bean Coconut Butter Vanilla Almond Butter Cups I shared almost 4 years ago. I know a long name I didn’t think much about back then I guess. I’ve been making these a lot recently and I was going to share them this spring but thought they were perfect for today. Of course trying to whip out another batch to photograph they didn’t turn out as perfectly smooth as previous batches but I decided to go with it because they don’t have to be perfect to taste good and it’s real life.  The more pitaya you add the brighter the color but the mixture isn’t as smooth and creamy. I went for really bright so my mixture had to be pressed in the cups rather then poured, it just depends on how much pitaya is added and what you’re going for. Just like the amount of nut butter which I didn’t add as much as I normally do this time. I’ve also played with adding MCT oil in place of the coconut oil and recently added brain octane oil.

With only 4 simple ingredients, unsweetened shredded coconut, liquid sweetener like honey or agave, frozen pitaya, and nut butter. Frozen pitaya is also called dragon fruit and is sold at many local grocery stores. If you cannot fit it you could probably sub raspberries for color if desired or omit it to make Vanilla Bean Coconut Butter Vanilla Almond Butter Cups.

Coconut is high in fiber and healthy fats, low in carbs and sugar, and packed with vitamins and minerals. Did you know that coconut also contains protein? Not a lot but still many find it surprising. Coconut oil or MCT oil, although there isn’t much in the overall recipe.
Pitaya, dragon fruit, is rich in antioxidants, magnesium, iron, vitamin B2 and vitamin C. It’s also high in fiber. Although only a little pitaya is used in these cups. My favorite way to enjoy it is in a smoothie or smoothie bowl but it doesn’t stop me from using it in treats like these and donuts I made last weekend!

Almond butter would be the healthiest option to use for filling but I like peanut butter and it’s all about moderation and these are still a healthier treat when made with peanut butter or the chocolate hazelnut spread I used.

Low in sugar and carbs, full of healthy fats and fiber they are a healthier treat I can’t stop eating. They are gluten free, dairy free, vegan friendly (depending on sweetener used), and paleo friendly (sub almond butter). I think maybe even Whole 30 if you leave out the sweetener, although I can’t say how they’d taste as I haven’t tried them without a little added sweetener.

While I love chocolate there is something about these coconut butter cups I crave lately. Not sure if it’s the simple coconut flavor, lower sugar, or healthy energy I seem to get from eating them. Plus they’re filling so one in the afternoon is perfect for those sweet cravings. Wanting chocolate I fill them with Dark Chocolate Chocmeister, a healthier chocolate hazelnut spread with lower sugar and more protein that tastes delicious. Otherwise I fill them with smooth creamy peanut butter! If you like coconut you will probably love these cups.

I’ve got a few left in the fridge to enjoy today but I think I’ll be making a pretty pink pitaya smoothie bowl today too! Then we have a busy night so no “fancy” homemade dinner this year. What are you doing for Valentine’s Day?

Print Recipe

Pitaya Coconut Peanut Butter Cups

Pitaya Coconut Peanut Butter Cups are simple (only 4 ingredients) and easy to make, healthy, and delicious! Packed with healthy fat and fiber, low in sugar and carbs, they are gluten free, vegan, and paleo friendly as you can fill they with endless nut butter options.

Course

Dessert, Snacks

Prep Time

20 minutes

Passive Time

10 minutes

Servings

mini muffin cups

Ingredients

• 8 oz unsweetened flake/shredded coconut
• 1-2 TBSP coconut oil, melted
• 1/2-1 TBSP raw agave, honey, or maple syrup, warmed if cold
• 2-3 TBSP pitaya smoothie packet, defrosted (Pitaya Plus)
• 1/4-1/3 c peanut butter or nut butter of choice* (Peanut Butter & Co Smooth Operator and Dark Chocolate Chocmeister)

Course Dessert, Snacks Prep Time 20 minutes Passive Time 10 minutes Servings mini muffin cups Ingredients 8 oz unsweetened flake/shredded coconut 1-2 TBSP coconut oil, melted 1/2-1 TBSP raw agave, honey, or maple syrup, warmed if cold 2-3 TBSP pitaya smoothie packet, defrosted (Pitaya Plus) 1/4-1/3 c peanut butter or nut butter of choice* (Peanut Butter & Co Smooth Operator and Dark Chocolate Chocmeister)

Instructions

1. Fill a mini muffin tin with 12 paper liners. If you have a silicone mold you can omit the papers.
2. Place nut butter in a pastry bag or ziploc bag with the corner cut.
3. In a Vitamix or food processor process the coconut until it is creamy, scrape the sides of the bowl as necessary. It will take longer in a food processor but doable you just need to scrap down the sides.
4. Once it’s smooth scrape the sides and bottom to make sure you have all the chunks out and process for another 1-2 minutes.
5. Add in sweetener and pitaya.
6. Stream in coconut oil and blend just until well combine.
7. Fill each cup about 1/4 of the way up with the pitaya coconut butter (about 1 teaspoon per cup). If you added more pitaya, or depending on sweetener, and the mixture isn't smooth and pourable you will have to press it into the cups.
8. Pipe in nut butter in the center of each cup.
9. Top with pitaya coconut butter to cover.
10. Tap pan on the counter to remove bubbles.
11. Place in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to set, or until ready to enjoy.
12. Store remaining cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

MCT or brain octane oil can be used in place of coconut oil if desired. Add in additional tablespoon of oil if needed, recently had some batches of coconut (which I haven't had in a long time) that required a little extra.

Used almost 1/4 of a cup of nut butter, add more if desired. How much I add depends on the nut butter and my mood at the time.

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