“I don’t like chocolate” – said no one, ever. It’s pretty apparent I am a die-hard chocoholic. And here goes a confession… I once used to eat some peanut butter chocolate cups that have an uncanny resemblance to the above image… Yep, I’d gladly eat a pack of three more often than not (I wince as I type this). And then I’d moan & groan as to why my jeans wouldn’t zip up. True story friends. Today I can share that I don’t let a single day go by without indulging in a chunk of pure dark chocolate, (dairy-free + sugar free) goodness. Most recently, I’ve taken yet another little leap and have started making my own (3-ingredient) paleo-style dark chocolate using only the purest raw cacao. Dangerous, I know. I had friends taste-test this chocolate & peanut butter cup recipe & the feedback was very encouraging. (Some even resorted to the use of strong expletives when describing how good this was). I was overjoyed.

The recipe is so simple, it’s embarrassing. You can make these into cups by simply using mini-sized cupcake holds. I love the silicone ones as they make it easier to remove them by just literally pushing them up from the bottom of the mold. If you want to make bars or squares with this recipe, simply use a pyrex or baking sheet. There’s no baking involved, however. Just a food processor, a pot & your fridge. My type of deal. I love to make these at night & then leave them in the freezer overnight to allow them to set in.

They’re rich, they’re gooey, they’re creamy- & they have that sweet & salty appeal I often crave. They’re not only the perfect dessert, they’re a great pick-me up or power snack. All the goodness lies in the crust or base made of your choice of roasted or raw almonds, dates, all-natural peanut butter, & dry oats. I use old-fashioned rolled oats that are gluten free. Dates are the healthiest natural sweetener available in nature & they’re packed with fiber & spike up your energy levels, too. The peanut butter & almonds pack in the protein & healthy fats that our body needs on a daily basis. I promise you that once you make this dessert, you’ll be making this every week & it’s such a healthy treat to keep those sugary cravings in check! 😉 They quite literally are my afternoon pick-me-up.