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    Home >> Candy

    Keto Chocolate Cups (Dairy-free, Vegan & Paleo)

    Published: May 16, 2018 · Modified: Oct 10, 2022 by Emily · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Indulgent chocolate candies-- without dairy or sugar! So rich and satisfying, you won't believe these are low-carb, keto, paleo and vegan.
     
    Jump to Recipe

    Keto Chocolate "Buttercream" Cups (Dairy-Free, Vegan, Paleo) PrettyPiesAn AMAZING Dairy Alternative

    You guys!! This "BUTTERCREAM" .. yes, I have to put it in quotes because it's NOT your conventional buttercream....

    There's no butter in there! And you totally won't miss it!

    All my dairy-free friends this: is gonna make you SO happy! Even if you're NOT dairy-free & low-carb, this stuff is SO GOOD.

    My family who's *not* keto, vegan or paleo loved these! Keto Chocolate "Buttercream" Cups (Dairy-Free, Vegan, Paleo) PrettyPies

    How Do You Make Dairy-free Keto Cream Filling?

    The recipe was inspired by my "Healthy Buttercream for One" recipe from years ago! Instead of butter, you can use NUT butter!!

    Practically ANY kind will do. My personal fav is CASHEW (because I may have a slight addiction)

    I am absolutely IN LOVE with this "buttercream." It's the best way to get some good fats in and to keep me feeling SATISFIED and *not* deprived when I'm in low-carb mode.

    Mix in a little bit of your preferred sweetener (I like to use stevia drops or monkfruit drops)

    Keto Chocolate "Buttercream" Cups (Dairy-Free, Vegan, Paleo) PrettyPies

    Eat with a SPOON or in a CUP!

    I LOVE to just eat the buttercream on its own as a guilt-free treat, but THIS takes it to another LEVEL.

    We're gonna take this buttercream, and put it in a crisp chocolate SHELL. Oh emm GEEE. It's like a "Reese's Cup" but with CREAMY FLUFFY SMOOTH CHOCOLATE inside (!!).  I die.

    My first batch of these, I made in a standard (silicone) muffin pan, which turned out to be six very LARGE servings. This was a little too much for me, so the next round I did 12 minis in my mini muffin pan. PERFECT.

    But you can make them any size you like! Keto Chocolate "Buttercream" Cups (Dairy-Free, Vegan, Paleo) PrettyPies

    My Secrets to Amazing Chocolate

    The SECRET to amazing chocolate flavor-- a good amount of pink SALT, and a little instant ESPRESSO powder.

    (And if you want to make MOCHA flavor, you can by adding extra espresso!! YUM!)

    The espresso is optional, but I really love how it adds a little something extra. It enhances the flavor while the salt deepens the complexity. (Always ALWAYS add pink salt to everything basically) 🙂

    Click the image below to save this recipe on Pinterest:

    Keto Chocolate Buttercream Cups! These don't taste low-carb! Sinfully good. Quick & easy dessert recipe without sugar or dairy. #prettypies #keto #sugarfree #dairyfree #healthydesserts #chocolate
    Keto Chocolate Buttercream Cups! These don't taste low-carb! Sinfully good. Quick & easy dessert recipe without sugar or dairy. #prettypies #keto #sugarfree #dairyfree #healthydesserts #chocolate

    If you make this recipe, I wanna hear what you think!! Tag me on Instagram @emily.likes.food #prettypies  

    Keto Chocolate "Buttercream" Cups (Dairy-Free, Vegan, Paleo) PrettyPies

    Keto Chocolate "Buttercream" Cups (Dairy-free, Vegan & Paleo)

    Indulgent, but totally guilt-free rich chocolate buttercream, without any dairy or sugar!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 minute
    Total Time: 36 minutes
    Servings: 12 cups
    Author: Emily

    Ingredients

    Chocolate Coating

    • 1 3.1 oz bar dark chocolate - (sugar-free for keto)
    • 1 Tbs coconut oil

    Chocolate "Buttercream" Filling

    • â…“ cup cashew butter - or almond butter
    • ¼ cup non-dairy milk
    • 1-2 tsp (or more) instant espresso powder - (optional, to taste)
    • 1 ½ - 2 Tbs cacao powder
    • 1 Tbs coconut oil
    • 10 drops Sweet Leaf vanilla creme stevia - or monkfruit drops
    • Pinch of pink salt

    Instructions

    To make the chocolate cups:

    • Line a muffin pan with wrappers (12 for mini, 6 for large) Or use silicone.
    • Roughly chop the bar of chocolate and place in a glass bowl with the coconut oil.
    • Melt in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. Whisk smooth.
    • Pour a small amount of melted chocolate into each wrapper to coat the bottom. Tilt the pan to swirl chocolate to coat the sides.
    • Reserve about ½ of the chocolate for the top.
    • Freeze chocolate cups while you prepare the filling.

    To make the filling:

    • If using espresso powder, dissolve it into the milk by stirring together.
    • Whisk together all ingredients until smooth.
    • Taste and adjust with more sweetener, cacao, espresso or salt, if needed,
    • Scoop about ½ to 1 Tbs into each chocolate cup.
    • Pour remaining chocolate over each cup.
    • Freeze or refrigerate for 20-30 minutes to set.
    • ENJOY!

    Notes

    Disclosure: We are participants in the Amazon Associates program. Any clicks through an affiliate/referral link may result in a commission earned.
    What I used:
      
    Stevia Drops from Amazon
    Instant Espresso Powder: from Amazon
    Cacao Powder from Amazon
    To store: keep refrigerated. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks or frozen for 2 months.
    For non low-carb, I would use 1-2 Tbs powdered coconut sugar. If the filling seems too dry, add a little more milk. Maple syrup might cause the nut butter to seize, so I would not recommend it here.
    Nutrition Facts
    Keto Chocolate "Buttercream" Cups (Dairy-free, Vegan & Paleo)
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    77.8
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    7.2
    g
    11
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    3.8
    g
    24
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    0.7
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    2.3
    g
    Sodium
     
    2.3
    mg
    0
    %
    Potassium
     
    88.7
    mg
    3
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    3.5
    g
    1
    %
    Fiber
     
    0.8
    g
    3
    %
    Sugar
     
    0.2
    g
    0
    %
    Net Carbs
     
    2.7
    g
    Protein
     
    1.7
    g
    3
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    0.1
    mg
    0
    %
    Calcium
     
    6.3
    mg
    1
    %
    Iron
     
    0.7
    mg
    4
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Tag @emily.likes.food #prettypies!
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    Filed Under: Candy, Low-Carb Tagged With: cashew butter, chocolate, espresso, keto, low carb, stevia

    About Emily

    Emily is the creative force behind the food blog, Pretty Pies, a destination for people interested in healthier eating, and for those with dietary restrictions and preferences, such as dairy-free, gluten-free and egg-free.

    Emily specializes in healthy desserts that are low-carb, keto, and made with plant-based natural ingredients. She is the author of two cookbooks in the low-carb sweets niche, "PS It's Healthy," and "Yay It' Sugar-Free!"

    Her recipes have reached millions of people across the globe over a 7-year time span, and helped countless readers enjoy delicious desserts without detriment to their health.

    When she's not creating in the kitchen, she loves spending time with her family and petite Goldendoodle, Eevee, spending time in nature, and eating Tex-Mex.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nicole

      May 21, 2018 at 9:45 pm

      I personally like teeth mark photos because it shows how the finished product holds up or not while eating. These seem to have the perfect texture! Beautiful photos and what looks to be a killer recipe! Can’t wait to try it out! Ps ignore the haters.

      Reply
      • Emily

        May 21, 2018 at 10:09 pm

        Thank you, Nicole! Yeah, you've gotta see the inside, right? 🙂 If you make them, is love to hear what you think.

        Reply
    2. Joan

      January 30, 2019 at 7:59 pm

      I wonder if you could use Coconut butter in these? I will try and let you know how they come out!

      Reply
      • Emily

        January 30, 2019 at 8:29 pm

        In place of cashew butter? I think that would work! but yes please report back how it goes

        Reply

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