These Dark Chocolate Marcona Almond Butter Cups are indulgent little bites of heaven. They’re topped with superfood ingredients and are vegan, gluten free and refined sugar free.
To make the almond butter, add almonds to a food processor or high speed blender and blend until until the almonds begin to break down and resemble butter. This will take some time, around 15-20 minutes depending on the power of your machine. Scrape the sides of the container with a spatula as necessary. Add the oil, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed to help break down the nuts and achieve a smooth texture.
Once mixture resembles the soft, smooth texture of butter, add the salt and maple syrup. Blend again to combine.
Once the mixture resembles the soft, smooth texture of butter, add the salt and maple syrup. Blend again to combine.
Line a mini muffin tin with 12-14 paper liners and set aside. In a double boiler set over low heat, melt the dark chocolate and cacao, stirring occasionally. Once melted, stir in the maple syrup and coconut oil. Stir until evenly incorporated.
Using a small paint brush or pastry brush, coat the bottom and sides of a mini muffin liners with the chocolate. Place pan in the freezer for 10 minutes to allow the chocolate to harden, then remove from the freezer.
Scoop a heaping teaspoon of the marcona almond butter into each chocolate-lined nut butter cup or liners, pressing down on it slightly. Carefully pour the remaining chocolate over the nut butter to cover. Sprinkle a couple of pumpkin seeds and small pieces of freeze dried raspberries on top of each cup.
Return the pan to the freezer for about 10 minutes to set. Remove from the pan and serve frozen, chilled or room temperature.