Healthy-Enough-for-Breakfast Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups are a decadent-tasting treat with a healthy ingredient list that will surprise you!
Do you remember a couple months ago when I made Mini Vanilla-Almond Cupcakes and gushed about Lisa’s blog? (The cupcakes were healthy enough to be breakfast – really, how could I not be smitten?)
Well, this treat is another of Lisa’s creations. When I swooned over her recipe for Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Cups a while back and noticed that she mentioned they were healthy enough for breakfast, I knew it would not be long before they graced my kitchen.
I only made a couple changes to Lisa’s original recipe: (1) I used powdered stevia (in packets) because that’s what I had on hand, and (2) I added a walnut half to the top of each candy (mostly for the crunch factor, but also because it looks pretty). If you have liquid stevia on hand you can follow Lisa’s recipe; if you want to play around with a sweetener other than stevia, here is a guideline on how sweet 1 packet of stevia is: the amount of stevia in 1 packet measures ½ teaspoon, which is about as sweet as 2 to 3 teaspoons of regular sugar.
Lisa had mentioned in her post that she likes using Tropical Traditions coconut oil to make these treats, so I was pretty excited when Tropical Traditions recently contacted me asking if I wanted to try this product. I’ve been using coconut oil for a few years now but this is the first time I’ve tried Tropical Traditions and I have to say, it’s a fantastic product. In my opinion, its pure, rich coconut flavor is second to none. Plus I love how they really take pride in their product…on their website it says “[Our coconut oil] is made by families who are coconut farmers using old-fashioned traditional methods that have been used in the Philippines for hundreds of years.”
If you’re wondering what you can use coconut oil in, I use it to make everything from fried eggs, to pan-seared fish, and to sauté veggies. I also like to play around with it in my baked goods (like muffins), and a little drizzle on a bowl of oatmeal or frozen yogurt is heaven. It’s an incredibly versatile product. If you want to try it for yourself, scroll down the bottom of this post for the giveaway!
- 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil (I used Tropical Traditions Organic Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil)
- 4 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 packets powdered stevia
- 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
- 4 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 packet powdered stevia
- 10 walnut halves (optional)
- Line a mini muffin tray with 10 paper liners. Stir all ingredients for the bottom layer together until smooth, and divide between the 10 mini muffin wells (each should be about half full). (Try not to dribble on the sides since it will give your candy a streaked look.) Put the tray in the freezer on a flat surface and freeze until solid (about 15 minutes, give or take a little while depending how cold your freezer is).
- Stir all ingredients for the top layer together until smooth, and divide on top of the set chocolate mixture. Transfer back to the freezer and freeze until partially solid (about 5 minutes), and then lightly press 1 walnut half into the top of each candy. Return to the freezer and freeze until solid.
- Store the treats in the fridge in an air-tight container in the fridge between layers of wax paper.
:: GIVEAWAY ::
Win 1 quart of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil!
You do not need to have a blog to enter this giveaway! To participate, subscribe to the Tropical Traditions Newsletter and leave a comment here letting me know. If you want to earn additional entries, you can do any of the following (please leave a separate comment for each so I can count them as separate entries):
- Leave a comment telling me your favorite kind of candy (healthy or not!).
- Share this giveaway on Facebook and leave a comment here.
- “Like” Tropical Traditions on Facebook and leave a comment here.
- Share this giveaway on Twitter and leave a comment here.
- Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter and leave a comment here.
- Pin something from this post on Pinterest and leave a comment here.
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This giveaway ends Saturday, July 21st at 9PM EST; after that the winner will be randomly selected and notified by email. Good luck to all!
Disclosure: I received the coconut oil that I used in this recipe for free from Tropical Traditions, and they are also providing the coconut oil for this giveaway. I was under no obligation to review this product, and as always, opinions stated are my own.
Lauri says
I have a quick question, and as always, I am late to the party!
I assume you are talking about the conversion of liquid stevia to your packet since that is what this recipe came from, but when I look at the whole sentence I think you might be talking about just weights and measures. Can you clear this up for me? Are you talking about a measurement or comparing it to the liquid Stevia? I have a package of Stevia in the Raw, 9.7 ounces. How much of that do I use?
You say:
" here is a guideline on how sweet 1 packet of stevia is: the amount of stevia in 1 packet measures 1/2 teaspoon, which is about as sweet as 2 to 3 teaspoons of regular sugar."
I was really hoping to make these now. In fact, I have everything on my kitchen table, but I will pack it away and await your answer. I am dying to make these, especially with no sugar, they are almost a diet food!
Faith says
Lauri, I'm glad you're thinking of making these - they are so yummy!
I wasn't talking about converting liquid stevia to powdered stevia - in my post above, I refer people to Lisa's original recipe if they want to use liquid stevia instead of powdered.
I gave the amount of stevia per packet so that people who have a larger bag of stevia (instead of packets) can measure out the amount. As I noted, 1 packet of stevia is 1/2 teaspoon powdered stevia, so where the recipe calls for 2 packets of stevia, you would add 1 teaspoon of powdered stevia (or 2 packets of stevia).
I also noted about how sweet stevia is so that people can make adjustments according to their personal taste preferences if they want to.
I hope this helps and I hope you enjoy these if you give them a try! :)
tara says
I think they would be healthier without the hydrogenated oil. Would it work to use natural PB instead of the regular which is full of unhealthy ingredients?
Faith says
Tara, I haven't made this recipe using natural peanut butter. If you give it a try, please let me know how it goes.
Sara Campbell says
My favorite candy is the Zero bar.
Joanne T Ferguson says
G'day Faith! I am craving for one of these right now, true!
Mouth watering photo and can't wait to try these with xylitol too! Thank you!
Cheers! Joanne
Viewed as part of Candy Recipe Round Up by Cravings of a Lunatic
Roxanne Saldana says
I love the old time favorite Hershey's candy bar. I am very interested in trying this new coconut oil. I have tried the new agave nectar and with diabetes I love to try the new alternative sweeteners and the new oils that come out.
Kimberly says
Faith - thanks so much for the response and good advice. You are probably right about powder vs. liquid. I don't bake much, so I did not think of that! I'll try it with xylitol first, and if that doesn't work the experiments will begin!
Kimberly says
These look delicious, but Stevia gives me crushing headaches and triggers hot flashes. Would Agave Nectar be an acceptable substitute?
Faith says
Hi Kimberly, I haven't tried this recipe with agave nectar, so I don't know for sure; my only concern is that it might prevent the candy from hardening properly. If there's another powdered sweetener that you use, I'd try that first, otherwise, if you decide to experiment using agave, please let me know how it goes!
Jamie says
Thanks!! I'll let you know how they turn out! :)
Jamie says
how much is a packet of stevia? I don't know if I'll find any in my small town grocery and might need to substitute sugar
Faith says
Jamie, Here is a guideline on how sweet 1 packet of stevia is: the amount of stevia in 1 packet measures 1/2 teaspoon, which is about as sweet as 2 to 3 teaspoons of regular sugar. Hope you enjoy the peanut butter cups if you make them! :)
kirsten says
These look amazing! But did you really mean to put peanut butter in the bottom layer as well? Just checking, thanks!
Faith says
Kirsten, Thank you! :) Yes, peanut butter goes in both layers to help the candy set. Hope you enjoy them if you make them!
Veronica says
Boy am I sorry I missed this! I just started using organic extra virgin coconut oil and love it and would love to try that oil. Will have to buy it! Anyway, these candies sound utterly delicious and I love the photos-they totally drew me in, esp with the bite missing. YUM!
Letty says
Shared the giveaway on FB. Your blog is too fantastic to miss!
Letty says
Liked TT on Facebook. Unfortunately, don't have Twitter or Pintrest...
Letty says
Those chocolate PB cups look sooo good! Even better knowing you use stevia!! I must try these! My favorite candy is no where near as healthy... See's walnut squares. Don't know why they are called squares, since they are rectangles. :) Just walnuts, held together with caramel, bottom half dipped in dark chocolate. Two bites of goodness.
Letty says
Thanks for the tip on the newsletter - now subscribed!
Kathleen says
I subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter, too!
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I shared it on Twitter! (KDozeman)
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Kathleen says
I shared this giveaway on Facebook!
Kathleen says
My favorite candy is Lindor dark chocolate mint truffles!
Amanda says
I liked Tropical Traditions on face book!
Pam says
And I've liked TT on fb :)
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I liked Tropical Traditions on FB
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shared on FB!
Pam says
Just one favorite??? Hershey almond.
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I've subscribed to the newsletter
Amanda says
My favorite candy is Recesses Pieces
Nicole says
My favorite candy is a Mounds bar, I liked the TT facebook page!
Pam says
Following tropical traditions on pinterest :)
Pam says
I repinned. These sound amazing!
Shannon says
i must make these!!! fabulous. i'm always more of a chocolate-pb girl, so of course these were my favorites growing up :)
Roxana GreenGirl { A little bit of everything} says
a better substitution to the store bought peanut butter cups. Thanks for sharing Faith
Juanita says
I followed TT on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/juanispr/following/
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i Pinned TT on pinterest: http://pinterest.com/juanispr/try-it/
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i shared this giveaway on twitter https://twitter.com/JuanisPR/status/222938692648566784
Lori Williams says
I like tropical traditions on Facebook!
Lori Williams says
I love mounds!
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I subscribe to tropical traditions news letter!
Mary says
I just read the page and I think "Healthy-Enough-For-Breakfast Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups" just became my favorite treat!
Juanita says
I liked TT on facebook!
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I shared TT on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/juanisp
Juanita says
I Love Brownies!!!
Meryl says
Homemade peanut butter cups.
Louis says
Chocolate peanut caramel clusters.
Steve O says
Stunning photo. I'd have to make 1,000 cups and take 1,000 pix of each to get one shot like that.
Bridget says
My favorite candy (hard to choose a favorite) would be Milky Ways
Bridget says
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InezbyDesign says
Following TT on Pinterest
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Pinned this at http://pinterest.com/pin/202873158184829972/
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Following TT on Twitter
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Shared on my FB at http://www.facebook.com/InezbyDesign/posts/170706169721346
InezbyDesign says
One of my favourite candies is Maple Cream Fudge...followed by Chocolate Coffee Cream Chocolates! mmmm
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i shared this giveaway on Twitter
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i shared this giveaway on fb
Juanita says
I love brownies, its my fav!!!! :D
Sue D says
I like peanut butter cups so I am sure I would like this recipe.
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Courtney Tucker says
I follow Tropical Traditions on Pinterest!
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Courtney Tucker says
Pinned Peanut Butter Cup Recipe!
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I follow Tropical Traditions and Tropical Traditions Special Deals on Twitter under the name Courtney Tucker @Gothlyric!
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Tweet!
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Courtney Tucker says
Jolly Rancher Sours are my favorite candy!
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Jen says
I love truffles
Jen says
I am a DB fan of TT.
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I subscribe to TT.
Tami Lewis says
TWEETED https://twitter.com/agodlyhomemaker/status/222748378734407680
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I LOVE ALL CANDY, ESPECIALLY ROCHE.
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Gina M says
I love reeces peices! Thanks for the chance to win!
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Sharon says
I must try these peanut butter cups in my continuing effort to win my daughters over to healthier snacking!
Beth says
I Like TT on FB
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Beth says
My favourite candy is dark chocolate. The darker the better.
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Benjamin the Voluntaryist says
I pinned an image from this page to Pinterest.
Cathy says
My favorite candy is Mounds and Almond Joy!
Benjamin the Voluntaryist says
I am now following Tropical Traditions on Pinterest.
Cathy says
Liked on FB!
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Shared on FB!
Benjamin the Voluntaryist says
I am now following Tropical Traditions on Twitter.
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Benjamin the Voluntaryist says
I'll have to agree with Christiana on the candy questions: "definitely chocolate, the darker the better."
Benjamin the Voluntaryist says
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Laurie says
I Follow Tropical Traditions on Pinterest.
Laurie says
I pinned your chocolate peanut butter cup recipe on Pinterest.
Laurie says
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Laurie says
I subscribed to the Tropical Traditions Newsletter.
Laurie says
favorite candy --- anything with nuts and chocolate
Cristina @ An Organic Wife says
I 'follow' Tropical Traditions on Pinterest.
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Cristina @ An Organic Wife says
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Cristina @ An Organic Wife says
My favorite candy is anything sour. :)
Christiana says
And my favourite candy is definitely chocolate, the darker the better.
Christiana says
I subscribed to Tropical Traditions newsletter. I'm pretty excited because I just made an order from them recently for some of their palm oil. I'd love to try their coconut oil too!
dana says
peanut butter cups are by far my favorite. i love dark chocolate covered espresso beans too!
Sarah Davis says
Pinned: pinterest.com/pin/124482377171009645/
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I tweeted: twitter.com/joshandsaradav/status/222575971109318656
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Sarah Davis says
My favorite candy is the Butterfinger Crunch bar
Sarah Davis says
I subscribed to their newsletter. Thank you for doing the giveaway! :)
Carolyn Jung says
I'd eat this breakfast every day of the week! What a way to start the day with a big smile on your face.
Stephanie S. says
Pinned!!
Stephanie S. says
Almond Joys are my favorite candy!!
Margo Lott says
My favorite candy IS Peanut Butter cups, so these are already planned for making tomorrow!
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Subscribed to the newsletter.
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I subscribed to the Tropical Traditions Newsletter. Thanks.
Amber G. says
Liked TT on Facebook.
Thanks from [email protected]!
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Following TT on Twitter as Amber Gillespie.
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Subscribe to the TT newsletter at [email protected]!
Tami R says
These look so awesome! I do the sugar free thing, so I am excited to try these. I might try Splenda though since I have that here. My fav candy is dark chocolate on anything, but especially on peanut butter!
Melaina from Rudi's Gluten Free Bakery says
These look delicious! Who doesn't love a peanut butter cup, especially one so healthy! Thank you for creating this great recipe, we can't wait to pass these goodies around the office!
cheapethniceatz says
You know, you don't have to twist my arm very hard to get me to eat a candy for breakfast. Looks awesome.
Oh favorite candy. Coffee Crisp?
Rachel A. says
I also liked Tropical Traditions on Facebook.
Rachel A. says
My favorite candy is marshmallow fudge!
Kay says
Wow, these look super yummy! Can't wait to make them!
Sarah H.P. says
One of my favorite kinds of candy has to be a Baby Ruth candy bar! Yummm!
Isabel says
been wanting to try coconut oil, so why not start with trying the best? or someone whose blog I enjoy thinks is best? anyway, favorite type of candy....chocolate, the darker the better. from cheap to the most decadent...I'm happy!
domestic diva says
I love dark chocolate.
Lacey W says
Following on Pinterest!
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Pinned from this post
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Lacey W says
Fav candy... just about anything chocolate! lol
Tt says
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Tt says
My favorite candy is dk chocolate covered ginger!
Kristin says
I'm following Tropical Traditions on Pinterest!
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I'm following Tropical Traditions on Twitter!
Kristin says
I love divinity...my mom makes the best Christmas candy!
Sheryl says
I just found your blog. My favorite candy is caramel.
Tracy says
I have begun to see recipe's with coconut oil and after coming to your site I found out much more information about coconut oil that prompted me to become even more informed. Thanks for the information and I look forward to trying this recipe. I love peanut butter and chocolate, the healthier means better for me :)
Deb says
I love dark chocolate covered cashews!
Chris K says
I would probably have to say Snickers is my favorite store-bought candy bar. I've made homemade Samoa bars that are pretty good, but there is something guiltily delicious about a snickers that I love. BTW, you must have a different definition of healthy breakfast than I do. With around 150 calories, 14 total grams of fat and 7 grams of saturated fat for each peanut butter cup, I do not think these will be replacing my oatmeal anytime soon.
Katie says
You can never go wrong with a Reese's PB cup!
Kate says
I love a good dark chocolate peanut butter cup!
Bridget says
My favorite candy is a hard thing to choose because I love candy, but I would have to go with Milky Way
Bridget says
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karen says
Chocolate covered nuts, especially almonds!
[email protected]
amanda says
my favourite type of candy is dark chocolate! mmm. Chocolove is my brand of choice!
Vicki Bensinger says
These look scrumptious. My husband loves peanut butter cups so it looks like I will be trying these.
I haven't used stevia before so thanks for the comparison tips.
My all time favorite candies are ( I can't choose just one), malted milk balls and Sixlets. I've eaten both since I was a child and still crave them. In fact I ate malted milk balls the entire time I was pregnant with my daughter and gained a whopping 15 pounds during pregnancy. I ate very healthy otherwise. To this day her favorite candies are malted milk balls. Makes me wonder!
Ann says
Heath bars, mmm :)
Louis says
Milk chocolate covered peanuts.
Meryl says
Homemade Chocolate Caramel Pecan Clusters.
Melissa S says
Pinned it!
Melissa S says
Just "liked" tropical traditions on facebook
Melissa S says
PB cups are definitely my favorite candy!!! Dark chocolate bars come in as a close second!
Katie@Cozydelicious says
Yum! Pretty, yummy, and healthy too. You can't beat the peanut butter and chocolate combo!
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit says
I love a Zagnut bar in all of its crunchy peanut buttery glory. But it's definitely not healthy enough for breakfast, so these lovely peanut butter cups surely would have a place in my heart as well. :)
Heather says
Follow Tropical Traditions on Pinterest
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Pinned to Pinterest
Heather says
My favorite candies are those chocolate covered raspberry jelly rings/bars.
grace says
my favorite kind of candy changes weekly, if not daily. right now i'm loving riesen chocolate chews. :)
BeadedTail says
Oh I bet these are good! I love anything with peanut butter and chocolate!
Magic of Spice says
These are just gorgeous, and no doubt equally delicious...Wow!
Haley says
I repinned the chocolate PB cups! Mmmm (:
Audra White says
Following on Twitter!
Audra White says
Following on Pinterest!
Audra White says
Liked on Facebook!
Audra White says
Pinned!
Audra White says
I love anything chocolate. My favorite fudge is coconut oil and palm sugar with chia seeds!
Haley says
I follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter! (:
Haley says
I follow Tropical Traditions on Facebook!
Haley says
I liked Tropical Traditions on Facebook!
Haley says
I LOVE dark chocolate peanutbutter cups from Trader Joe's. I also adore Pretzel M&Ms(Not so healthy!) But anything chocolate is my favorite! (:
Alex says
I love snickers!!!
Lisa says
Faith--I'm so glad you tried these and liked them! They really are my fave dessert/breakfast that I've made! I love how even non-stevia lovers think these are great! My only problem with them is eating them all in one day :-)
luna says
ps: just pinned these and will try them next weekend!
luna says
my favorite candy bars were zero bars...i have no idea if they still make them...but i can practically taste the yumminess~
luna says
just "liked" tropical traditions on fb! i adore coconut oil...for everything!
citymouse says
I have a question...
Do you use cocoa in BOTH layers? It didn't seem like you would and I checked out the original recipe and she only uses it in the chocolate layer. Just checking.
Also, my favorite candy bar is Cadbury's Fruit and Nut bar or just plain old chocolate covered marzipan.
Faith says
Citymouse, Thanks so much, you are right -- the cocoa is only in the bottom layer! I just fixed it.
Amy (Savory Moments) says
These look wonderful. I'm a huge fan of coconut oil and have been using it a lot recently. I think my favorite candy is just good chocolate (preferably with a little peanuts, peanut butter, and/or sea salt.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
These look divine!
leslie says
My favorite candy is Heath Bar.
Joanne says
My favorite kind of candy is Reese's, hands down! So I'm UBER thrilled that you made these. Any excuse to eat those delicious PB choc cups for breakfast!
Rosa says
OMG, this is the best breakfast treat ever! Terific.
Cheers,
Rosa
Veronica says
i follow tropical traditions on pinterest!
Veronica says
i pinned your pb cups! :)
Veronica says
I like tropical traditions on fbook!
Veronica says
PB cups are definitely my favorite candy!!! pb + chocolate = heaven!
Jeanette says
Faith - these look incredible! I'm a huge fan of coconut oil and use it for popping popcorn. My kids would love it if I gave them one of these treats for breakfast.
The Newlywed Chefs says
Our favorite candy is Reese's cups so this recipe is perfect for us!
Andrea says
I pinned it!
Andrea says
My favorite candy is an almost frozen Almond Joy :)
higgimom says
Also pinned. I can't wait to make these.
higgimom says
These look delicious. This is my first time visiting your blog. My favorite candy...there are too many! But, for the purpose of winning that yummy coconut oil, which I use profusely, I'll narrow it down to a 5th Avenue bar.
Emily says
I follow Tropical Traditions on Pinterest!
Emily says
My favorite kind of candy is a simple Snicker's bar, but it has to be frozen!
Urban Wife says
Just pinned!
Urban Wife says
I'm pretty simple so a square of dark chocolate usually hits the spot.