These SunButter Cups are a quick and easy microwave recipe that's perfect when you're craving something sweet. They're rich, fudgy, and chocolatey, plus completely peanut-free and tree nut-free, making them a delicious treat everyone can enjoy.
If you are looking for peanut-free Reese's peanut butter cups, you'll definitely want to try this almond butter cups recipe next. They're just as easy to make and every bit as delicious!
A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Sunbutter Cups
🕒 Ready In: 6 minutes plus chilling time
👪 Makes: 6 cups
🧑🍳 Main Ingredients: Sunbutter, chocolate chips and coconut oil
📖 Dietary Info: Healthy, gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free with vegan option
📌 Difficulty: Easy microwave recipe
Why you’ll love these sunbutter cups?
If you're looking for a nut-free alternative to Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, this recipe is a must-try. These homemade SunButter cups are rich, creamy, and every bit as satisfying, making them perfect for anyone with peanut or tree nut allergies—or anyone who simply loves SunButter.
They're incredibly easy to make with no fussy layering, and they're naturally sweetened with no butter or added sugar. In my opinion, they taste even better than the store-bought version! They're also perfect for making ahead since they keep well in the refrigerator for weeks.
As a bonus, they're peanut-free, tree nut-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free (when made with vegan chocolate chips). If you've been wondering what to make with SunButter, this is one recipe you'll come back to again and again.
- maria doss
Jump to:
SunButter is a creamy spread made from roasted sunflower seeds that's blended until smooth. It's a great alternative for anyone with a peanut or tree nut allergy, making it a popular choice in allergy-friendly homes and school-safe lunches.
Compared to peanut or almond butter, SunButter has a slightly earthier, more robust flavor. Because sunflower seeds can have a mild bitterness, most commercial varieties include a small amount of sugar and salt to create a smoother, more balanced taste. It has a creamy texture that's very similar to peanut butter, making it an easy substitute in many recipes.
One question I get asked a lot is, "Will these SunButter cups turn green?" The answer is no! While sunflower seeds contain a natural compound called chlorogenic acid that can react with baking soda or baking powder and turn baked goods green, that won't happen here. Since these chocolate cups are a no-bake recipe with no leavening agents, there's no chemical reaction, so the filling stays its normal color.
Ingredients
Here’s a list of ingredients you’ll need. You can find the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list with their amounts.
- Sun Butter butter – We used Sunbutter Natural Sunflower Butter.
- Chocolate Chips – Use a good quality chocolate such as Ghiradelli or Guittard for best tasting candy. I like to use semi sweet for a perfect balance of sweet when paired with salt, like in Christmas fudge. You can also use bittersweet chips for a more more robust flavor that’s not quite so sweet.
- Coconut oil – Melting coconut oil along with remaining ingredients helps the cups to harden when chilled and adds a lovely shine. Check out more coconut oil recipes.
- Salt – This recipe uses a fair amount of salt making it taste irresistible when paired with chocolate.
Substitutions and variations
- SunButter: Don't have SunButter? You can easily substitute it with your favorite creamy nut or seed butter, such as peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, or even tahini.
- Coconut oil: If you're not a fan of coconut oil, simply skip it.
- Fun mix-ins: Add a little crunch by stirring roasted sunflower seeds, shredded coconut, crushed pretzels, crispy rice cereal, or chopped toasted nuts into the filling. You can also sprinkle them on top before chilling. For a festive touch, decorate with colored sprinkles before the chocolate sets.
Tips for Success
- Use good-quality chocolate: Since chocolate is the star of this recipe, choose a brand you enjoy eating, such as Ghirardelli or Guittard. I used Ghirardelli semisweet chocolate for this recipe.
- Stir the SunButter well: The oil naturally separates in the jar, so give it a good stir before measuring to ensure a smooth, creamy filling.
- Store them in the refrigerator: Keep the cups refrigerated (or frozen for longer storage). SunButter is naturally softer and thinner than peanut butter, and if you're using coconut oil, the cups can soften at room temperature.
- Don't substitute the coconut oil with another oil: Coconut oil helps the filling firm up as it chills. Other oils won't set the same way. If you don't care for the flavor of coconut oil, you can simply leave it out instead.
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More guilt free treats to try
SunButter Cups
These SunButter Cups are a quick and easy microwave recipe that's perfect when you're craving something sweet. They're rich, fudgy, and chocolatey, plus completely peanut-free and tree nut-free, making them a delicious treat everyone can enjoy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (6.5 ounces by weight)
- ½ cup Sunbutter, natural
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil (optional)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt + more for topping
Instructions
1. Place 6 paper liners in a standard muffin pan and set aside.
2. Add chocolate chips, Sunbutter and coconut oil into a medium microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 60 to 90 seconds, until fully melted (stir every 30 seconds to combine).
4. Remove bowl from microwave, mix in vanilla extract and salt.
4. Divide melted chocolate mixture evenly into the 6 paper cups, tap the pan on the kitchen counter couple of times, sprinkle some flaky sea salt on top and place pan in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours to set.
👉 You can top them with chopped pretzels, roasted sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds or even sprinkles before popping them into the fridge.
6. Store cups in the refrigerator.
Notes
Semi sweet chocolate chips – The better the quality, the better the recipe. Use high quality chocolate like Ghiradelli or Guittard (we used Ghiradelli).
Store cups in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 161Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 179mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 2gSugar: 16gProtein: 1g
I am not a certified dietician or nutritionist. The information is a product of online calculator such as Nutrifox.com, although Kitchen at Hoskins attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates and not be construed as a guarantee. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the nutritional information in any recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their fact algorithms. Under no circumstances will Kitchen at Hoskins be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on the nutritional information. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for all decisions pertaining to your health and ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate.
How to Make?
You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
- Add chocolate chips, Sun flower butter and coconut oil into a microwave safe bowl.
- Microwave for 60 for 90 seconds, until completely melted and smooth. Add vanilla extract and salt.
3. Mix until it is evenly combined, smooth and luxurious.
4. Divide mixture into paper lined muffin pan, sprinkle more sea salt on top and refrigerate until firm for at least 3 hours.
If you are looking for more healthy no bake snacks for kids, try the date and nut bars or the brownie bites next!
MADE THIS RECIPE AND LOVED IT? 💚 Please leave a ⭐️STAR rating and COMMENT below- I love to hear your feedback! Tag me with your creations on Instagram and find me on Facebook.
Hi, I’m Maria! I share easy, flavor-packed dinners, high-protein meals, and irresistible baking ideas. If you’ve ever asked, “Don’t know what to cook tonight?” you’re in the right place. And yes—there’s plenty here for breakfast, snacks, and dessert too. More about maria ->
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
These look yummy. I haven't yet used sunbutter in any recipes but now I want to.
Maria Doss
Thanks Elaine, it tastes very much like peanut butter:)
Jenny | The Baking Skillet
These look so perfect Maria! I would love to snack on them all day long!
Maria Doss
Yesss Jenny and not feel guilty about it:)
restaurants in St. Louis
These look great! And Vegan! I can't wait to try.
Maria Doss
Please do;)
Barb
I'm so glad I stumbled upon this! My daughter has tree and peanut allergies (just to name a few). It hadn't really been a concern of her "missing out" until she started school this year. (She just turned 5 and is in pre-k) All her classmates have yummy treats and she was feeling left out. Can't wait to make these for her!
Maria Doss
I'm so glad:) Hope she loves these, my kids totally do:)
Angie Long
These are delish!!! I didn't have any Sunbutter so I subed in its place Tahini. I hope they taste good. The Sunbutter are to die for. I couldn't stop myself from eating more than one...I can't tell how many!!!
Maria Doss
Thanks Angie, these are really good with sunbutter, Maria
Angie Long
@Maria Doss,The tahini came out so great!!! I will be making these a lot since they are so easy!!! Thank you for sharing!!!