SunButter Cups are a great nut free treat! This no bake dessert recipe is quick and easy and perfect when you need a peanut free option.
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We are in the final countdown of days until school begins this year. While our school does allow peanuts and tree nuts, I always like having some nut free snacks for school as options just in case we end up with a classmate with nut allergies.
These homemade nut free peanut butter cups have a little crispy crunch from crispy rice cereal in the SunButter layer and are sure to become a favorite snack or lunchbox treat!
how do you make nut free peanut butter cups?
It seems crazy to say you can make peanut butter cups nut free right? Well, they aren't really peanut butter..... The secret weapon in this easy recipe is sunflower seed butter. I use SunButter, the sugar free option, to get the crispy and creamy "butter" layer. This post isn't sponsored, I'm just a big fan of SunButter products.
These SunButter cups also get a little something special by adding crispy rice cereal to the sunflower butter. The crispy rice adds a fun textural layer and give these individual snacks a unique crunch.
where to buy SunButter
I typically buy SunButter at my local Target, Sprouts or Whole Foods, but it is available at many grocery retailers. You can also buy it from Amazon or from SunButter Direct.
ingredients for nut free chocolate cups
- Chocolate ~ our favorite is using milk chocolate, but semi-sweet or dark chocolate also work great. If you truly need a nut free dessert, make sure the chocolate is also allergy friendly.
- Crispy rice cereal ~ adds an airy crisp texture to the candies.
- Vanilla ~ adds a little flavor booster to the candy filling.
- SunButter ~ I use the no sugar added version.
- Kosher salt ~ just a pinch to balance the flavors.
- Confectioners' sugar ~ to add a little sweetness and firmness to the filling layer.
how to make these sunflower butter cups
Start by lining a mini muffin pan with liners, I use the If You Care brand baking cups.
Next prepare the sunflower butter layer. In a small bowl, combine the SunButter with vanilla and kosher salt. Then add some confectioners' sugar, followed by the crispy rice cereal.
Now prepare the chocolate; I use milk chocolate or dark chocolate depending on our mood. If you truly need these homemade candies to be allergy safe, check the chocolate you are using as many are processed in facilities with nuts. Enjoy Life makes allergy friendly chocolate.
Once the chocolate is melted, spoon one teaspoon of melted chocolate into the bottom of each prepared liner in the muffin pan.
Next add a teaspoon and a half of the SunButter mixture. {I have this measuring spoon set that include some non-traditional sizes and I love them}. The SunButter mixture is slightly firm and a little sticky and you should be able to flatten the filling to fill the space over the chocolate, making the top as flat as you can {it does not need to be perfectly flat!}. Then add one more teaspoon of melted chocolate over the top.
one teaspoon of melted chocolate SunButter layer added last teaspoon of chocolate added over the SunButter layer
Finally, chill the candy cups for 15 minutes in the freezer or about 30 minutes in the refrigerator until the cups are firm. Peel the liners off the individual cups and you will expose the ridges of chocolate created by the liners. Most likely you will see little parts of the filling peeking out, which adds to the charm of these homemade treats.
how to store these nut free snacks
Store the SunButter cups in an airtight container or zip top bag in the freezer (up to 3 months) or refrigerator (up to 1 month). You can leave them at room temperature, but they tend to get soft and a little melty to the touch if not cool at room temperature.
I tested packing them as snacks for school into my girls' lunch boxes during a hot week of summer camp. I pack them from frozen and they did get slightly melty to the touch, but held up well enough to serve as a lunchbox treat.
Remember to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram if you make these SunButter Cups (Nut Free Snacks). It warms my heart to see you bring these recipes to life! Thank you for being here and happy baking!
other peanut free snacks for school
If you make this recipe {or any recipe!} from two sugar bugs please come back and leave a review and a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating. I read every comment, and I LOVE hearing from you!
SunButter Cups (Nut Free Snacks)
SunButter Cups are a great nut free treat! This no bake dessert recipe is quick and easy and perfect when you need a peanut free option.
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons SunButter (96g)
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar (24g)
- 5 tablespoons crispy rice cereal (10g)
- 6 ounces of milk chocolate* (169g)
Instructions
- Line a mini muffin pan with liners and set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine the SunButter (I use the no sugar added version), vanilla and salt. Once mixed, add in the confectioners’ sugar and stir until smooth. Finally add in the crispy rice cereal and mix gently to combine. Set aside.
- In a bowl over a pot of simmering water, melt the chocolate. (If you are comfortable melting chocolate in the microwave, use your usual method).
- Take one teaspoon of melted chocolate and pour it in the bottom of each prepared liner.
- Then add 1 ½ teaspoons of the SunButter mixture, flattening the mixture out as best as possible over the melted chocolate layer. The mixture is slightly firm and a little sticky.
- Finally, add 1 additional teaspoon of melted chocolate over the top of the SunButter layer. (rewarm the chocolate if it has cooled too much and gotten thick) Lightly tap the pan on the counter or lightly jiggle the pan to even out the top layer of chocolate.
- Chill in the freezer for 15 minutes (or the refrigerator for 30), until firm.
Notes
*can also use dark chocolate or a mixture. Be sure to check your chocolate label to make sure the chocolate is allergen safe as well.
Store the SunButter Cups in an airtight container or zip top bag in the freezer (up to 3 months) or refrigerator (up to 1 month).
I do pack these from frozen into my girls’ lunch boxes. They get slightly melty, but hold up well enough to serve as a lunchbox treat.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 135Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 54mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 1gSugar: 10gProtein: 3g
The nutrition information is an estimate and may not be entirely accurate.
Kathleen Pope
I cannot wait to make these, we love Sunbutter in our house and I am planning on making with Dark Chocolate! NOM!
Tasia
Thank you Kathleen! They are fantastic with dark chocolate and I know you will love them!
Eliza from BENSA Bacon Lovers Society
These look divine! I love that you created such a luscious treat that also features wholesome ingredients. Another winner from Two Sugar Bugs!
Tasia
Thank you Eliza! I do love how simple the ingredients are for these homemade candy treats.
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
Desserts with sunflower seeds always sound nostalgic to me as that was a huge part of my childhood. But while I've used sunflower butter for a couple of recipes, I would have not thought myself of using it for such beautiful little treats. I think this is a genius idea, and the cups look terrific!
Tasia
Thank you Ben, I love that sunflower seed butter was a part of your childhood and that these bring you happy memories. I hope you get a chance to try these sunbutter cups!
2pots2cook
Wow ! It has never occurred me to use sunflower butter for such a great kid friendly treat Tasia ! And so wise to pack for eventual classmate with nut allergies !!!!! How thoughtful of you !
Tasia
Thank you Davorka! Sunflower butter has become a staple in my kitchen since my kids started attending school. It is such a delicious option nut free snacks.
Heidi | The Frugal Girls
I am really liking how you've made this as a no bake dessert. This is just what I need for these hot summer days when I don't want to use the oven!
Tasia
Thank you Heidi! A good no bake dessert is always nice when the temperatures are hot.