Dark chocolate almond butter and strawberry cups you can make at home that are way healthier than any store bought treat.
I could blame these little bites of heaven on a slew of things.
-that oh, so wonderful time of the month.
-the sweet comment on the chicken parm muffins I received yesterday telling me my profile picture is unflattering.
-the weekly work conference call that makes me want to bash my head against a wall.
-the fact that Friday feels like it should’ve happened 3 days ago, not today.
But really, life’s too short to make excuses about wanting chocolate.
I wanted it.
So I made it.
Then I ate it.
Excuses are overrated.
ps- the profile picture is staying.
Dark Chocolate Almond Butter and Strawberry Cups
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
- 1/2 cup fresh, or thawed frozen strawberries
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 3 teaspoons almond butter
- sea salt, *optional
Instructions
- Grease 6 mini muffin tin spots with baking spray or line with mini-muffin paper cups.
- Melt chocolate chips over a double boiler or in a small bowl in the microwave.
- Add melted coconut oil once chocolate is almost fully melted and stir to thin out and incorporate fully into chocolate.
- Spoon half the chocolate mixture into the bottom of the muffin tins.
- Using a pastry brush, brush the chocolate up the sides of the tins a bit. (If you greased the tin, it will take some persistence to get the chocolate to stick to the sides but do not skip the greasing step otherwise it will be very difficult to get the chocolate out later).
- Freeze for about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine strawberries and water in a food processor and pulse until it reaches the consistency of jam.
- Transfer to a small bowl and stir in the chia seeds. Set aside.
- Remove muffin tin from freezer and spoon half a teaspoon of almond butter into each muffin tin. Then layer on half a teaspoon of the strawberry chia jam on top of that (you will have extra jam).
- Freeze again for another 20 minutes.
- Remove from freezer and spoon remaining chocolate (you may have to reheat again slightly) on top.
- Sprinkle with sea salt if using and freeze one last time for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove from freezer and using a knife, carefully pop out chocolate cups from tin.
- Keep refrigerated.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
love that your man commented back to that ass. some people have no class. love the profile pics and all the chocolate pics.. no excuses need, i want to make this now!
Is that person stoned? Lol I think your picture is adorable! Aaaaand I’m totally making these this weekend.
haha, this just made me choke on my coffee. I’d like to hope he/she was ;)
Ahahaha. Best post ever. And I’m with you. Chocolate needs no excuses even though there could most usually be about 15,000 on a day to day basis that would qualify.
Also? I like Ulysses reaction to the profile picture comment. Haha. He’s a keeper.
Must. make. this. weekend. :)
and WTF to that comment you got about your profile pic?! I happen to LOVE your profile pic. It’s adorable – you’re enjoying life!
These are REDONK and I want them right now. There are so many combo possibilities, too. Cashew butter and sweetened coconut flakes on top? Peanut butter and raspberry? So many fat kid thoughts running through my head right now.
Also – the picture better stay. It’s hawt :)
Haha, thanks. Also, deciding on one combo was almost impossible. There are millions of possibilities!
I love your profile pic! It’s funny what some people choose to comment on…I would never think to do that.
These sound awesome! Like a pb&j with chocolate…comfort food at its finest.
LOL @ that profile comment. For real. Also, I want these. pronto. I think if you put them in the mail today I could have them Monday…is that too long to wait for chocolate?
I like your profile picture! Funny some of the comments people write. Now your Strawberry Almond Butter cups look amazing! I would love to eat like all of them!!! Yum!!
Love how your husband came to your defense, whata guy! I like your picture too, and I like the look of these as well. There’s never an excuse for me consuming chocolate. It happens everyday and will continue to happen everyday no questions asked.
Way to hold strong on the profile pic, I think it is perfect! These little bits look perfect, too!