• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Live-In Kitchen logo

  • Recipes
  • About
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Work Together
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Dessert Recipes

    Pumpkin Seed Butter Cups

    Lindsay Moe

    27 shares

    Pumpkin seed butter cups are a vibrant and allergy friendly alternative to peanut butter cups! These healthy sweet snacks require just four simple ingredients, are naturally gluten-free and easy to make vegan, and would be perfect Halloween or Christmas treats!

    a stack of three pumpkin butter cups with the top one cut in half showing the green pumpkin butter inside
    Jump to Recipe

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions are my own.

    Peanut butter cups are consistently one of the most popular candies in America. However, not everyone can enjoy peanut butter, and maybe some don’t want to consume all the extra ingredients that would come in a store-bought chocolate cup.

    Instead of peanut butter cups, we’re going to make DIY pumpkin seed butter cups that taste so good no one will want to reach for a peanut butter cup again. It’s a great way to use up any leftover pumpkin seed butter that we made last week!

    close up image of green pumpkin seed butter with chocolate and honey in the background

    We’ve made bite size desserts like this before with my dark chocolate salted caramel cups, dark chocolate banana and almond butter cups, and classic almond butter cups. It’s the same simple process of melting chocolate, then layering it in a mini muffin tin with the filling. If you don’t mind a little mess, it’s also easy enough for kids to make themselves!

    I was honestly a little surprised how much my kids and I liked these, and it has become one of our favorite healthy sweet snacks. I almost considered writing this recipe with cayenne pepper in it, because that is actually my favorite way to eat them, but I couldn’t do that to my kids who don’t love spice.

    Either way, I would REALLY recommend trying these with either cayenne pepper added to the pumpkin seed butter, or just cut a chocolate cup in half and sprinkle some on the middle before enjoying. It adds a ton of dimension to the flavors and really pulls everything together.

    When I did this it reminded me of my spicy pistachio shortbread cookies, which are also one of my long-time favorites!

    Ingredients

    • Pumpkin seed butter
    • Honey
    • Chocolate
    • Salt
    ingredients needed to make pumpkin seed butter cups including salt, chocolate, honey, and green pumpkin seed butter

    How to make pumpkin seed butter cups

    1. In a small bowl, combine pumpkin seed butter, honey, and salt. Set aside.
    2. Melt 8 ounces of chocolate in a double boiler or in 30 second bursts in the microwave.
    3. Add the remaining chocolate and stir until fully melted.
    4. Spoon a small amount of chocolate into paper liners in a mini muffin pan.
    5. Roll about 1 heaping teaspoon of pumpkin seed butter mixture into balls, then place on top of the chocolate in the pan.
    6. Top with the remaining chocolate and a few pumpkin seeds (pepitas) if desired.
    7. Refrigerate or freeze until firm, then transfer to a zip top freezer bag and store in the freezer until ready to enjoy.
    two mini cupcake trays showing pumpkin seed butter cups ready to set

    Top tips and questions

    A note about chocolate for chocolate cups

    Twelve ounces was just enough chocolate to make 24 chocolate cups. If you’re not sure about your portioning skills or have little ones stealing swipes of melted chocolate off the spoon, you may want to have a little extra chocolate on hand to make sure you can cover all your pumpkin seed butter.

    How to temper chocolate

    Tempering chocolate is a method of stabilizing chocolate for candy making. Heating and cooling the chocolate to specific temperatures leaves it with a smooth and glossy finish.

    I like to do this cheaters way of tempering chocolate where I melt two thirds of what I’m using, then add the rest and stir until fully melted. This helps reduce the risk of burning the chocolate, but won’t give you that perfect glossy finish. You can melt your chocolate in 30 second bursts in the microwave or in a double boiler on the stove top.

    If you’re interested in tempering chocolate the correct way, you can read this tutorial on how to temper chocolate by Tessa of Handle the Heat.

    Can I use chocolate chips for the chocolate?

    I like to use bars of baking chocolate when making chocolate cups because chocolate chips contain additional ingredients that help them hold their chip shape. That being said, if you don’t mind the difference in taste and texture when using chocolate chips then, yes, you are welcome to use them in this recipe in place of chocolate baking bars.

    a close up shot of pumpkin seed butter and chocolate inside a mini cupcake pan

    Can I buy pumpkin seed butter instead of making my own?

    If you’re not interested in making your own pumpkin seed butter at home, I get it. While it’s easy and more cost-effective than purchasing pre-made butter, sometimes you just don’t have the right tools or time.

    Here is a popular pumpkin seed butter by 88 Acres (affiliate link) that you can purchase on Amazon. You may also be able to find it in the grocery store, although I’ve never seen it where I live.

    My pumpkin seed butter is too sticky, how can I roll it into balls?

    I found it easiest to work quickly with the pumpkin seed butter to prevent it from sticking to my hands. Mine was the perfect consistency after adding the honey, but if yours is too sticky you could always just use two spoons to scoop it into the pan.

    Where can I buy mini paper cupcake liners?

    You can usually find mini cupcake liners in the baking aisle of the grocery store, or you can buy mini cupcake liners here. You could also use a silicone mini muffin pan if you prefer not to use paper.

    one pumpkin seed butter cup cut in half and stacked

    How to store pumpkin seed butter cups

    I like to store these in the freezer so they stay fresh longer, don’t melt, and can be easily enjoyed at any time. Place them in a zip top freezer bag or other airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.

    When ready to enjoy, let them sit out at room temperature for 5 minutes to thaw out a little bit.

    Are pumpkin seed butter cups healthy?

    Pumpkin seed butter boasts lots of nutrients like magnesium, zinc, and iron. It’s also high in fiber and magnesium. Dark chocolate can also be healthy for you in moderation thanks to the antioxidants it contains.

    Because of all this and their small size, I would consider these pumpkin seed butter cups a healthy sweet treat. As always, enjoy everything in moderation.

    Healthy holiday treats

    Because of the bright green color, I think these would make really fun healthy Halloween or Christmas treats (maybe add a couple pomegranate seeds to each for a red and green combo!). They’re also easy to make ahead of time, so you can save time by prepping your holiday treats months in advance and storing them in the freezer.

    pumpkin seed butter cups surrounded by chocolate and pumpkin seeds

    Tips for customizing

    • Add ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or cinnamon to the pumpkin seed and honey filling, adjusting to taste
    • Sprinkle the tops with Maldon sea salt flakes
    • Make these as full size pumpkins seed butter cups by using a regular size muffin tin
    • Swap the pumpkin seed butter for sunflower seed butter
    • Layer with strawberry chia jam (or other flavor) for a pumpkin seed butter and jelly version
    • Use a darker chocolate with a higher cacao percentage
    • Use maple syrup instead of honey to make these vegan

    More healthy sweet treats

    • Vegan Cookie Dough for One
    • Healthy Banana Mug Cake
    • Vegan Cookie Dough Bars
    • Pretzel Cookie Dough Truffles
    • Sweet Potato Brownies
    • Strawberry Sorbet
    • Gingerbread Energy Balls
    • Vegan Single Serving Brownie
    • Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Vegan Cookie Dough Dip for Two
    • Cantaloupe Date Popsicles
    • Cherry Frozen Yogurt Popsicles
    a pumpkin seed butter cup cut open showing the green inside surrounded by pumpkin seeds

    If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!

    sign up for our newsletter graphic
    a stack of three pumpkin butter cups with the top one cut in half showing the green pumpkin butter inside

    Pumpkin Seed Butter Cups

    Chocolate pumpkin seed butter cups are a healthy sweet treat and an allergy friendly alternative to peanut butter cups! Made with just four wholesome ingredients, gluten-free, and easy to make vegan.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 24 cups
    Calories: 139kcal
    Author: Lindsay Moe

    Ingredients

    • ⅔ cup pumpkin seed butter
    • ⅓ cup raw honey
    • Pinch of salt
    • 12 ounces semisweet baking chocolate, chopped or broken into small pieces, divided
    • Pepitas for topping, optional

    Instructions

    • In a small bowl, combine pumpkin seed butter, honey, and salt. Set aside.
    • Place 8 ounces of chocolate in a large heat-proof bowl. Melt in 30 second bursts in the microwave, stirring after each time. Alternatively, you could place the bowl over a pot of simmering water on the stovetop and stir until melted.
    • Once the chocolate is fully melted, add the remaining chocolate and stir until completely melted. If it won’t melt fully, return to the microwave for a few seconds.
    • Line a mini muffin pan with paper liners and spoon a small amount of chocolate into each liner, using the spoon to spread the chocolate a bit up the sides of the paper.
    • Roll the pumpkin seed butter mixture into balls about 1 heaping teaspoon in size. Place the balls on top of the chocolate in the pan.
    • Spoon remaining chocolate over the top of the pumpkin seed butter balls and top with a few pepitas if desired.
    • Place the pan in the refrigerator or freezer until firm, then transfer to a zip top freezer bag or other airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    Notes

     

    Tips for customizing

    • Add ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or cinnamon to the pumpkin seed and honey filling, adjusting to taste
    • Sprinkle the tops with Maldon sea salt flakes
    • Make these as full size pumpkins seed butter cups by using a regular size muffin tin
    • Swap the pumpkin seed butter for sunflower seed butter
    • Layer with strawberry chia jam (or other flavor) for a pumpkin seed butter and jelly version
    • Use a darker chocolate with a higher cacao percentage
    • Use maple syrup instead of butter to make these vegan

    Nutrition

    Calories: 139kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 35mg | Potassium: 129mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 7IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theliveinkitchen or tag #theliveinkitchen!

    More Dessert Recipes

    • three chocolate oat bars with oatmeal on a wood cutting board
      Chocolate Revel Bars
    • Maple nut breakfast cookies on a plate next to a mug of coffee and a bowl of nuts.
      Pillowy Maple Nut Breakfast Cookies
    • A close up of one double chocolate banana muffin on a cake stand.
      Double Chocolate Banana Muffins
    • A close up image of apple honey goat cheese appetizer.
      Apple and Honey Goat Cheese Appetizer

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    lindsay moe in a kitchen with glasses on shelves behind her

    Hi, I'm Lindsay! I've been creating easily customizable vegetarian recipes since 2011. I love the outdoors, brownies, and brand new books. I live and work in La Crosse, Wisconsin and founded Wild Flour Media to expand on my love for food photography and videography to my community and beyond.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • single serving vegan cookie dough on a spoon
      Vegan Cookie Dough for One
    • featured image of two shot glasses with buttery nipple shot
      Buttery Nipple Shot
    • zesty cream cheese stuffed mini peppers close up
      Zesty Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers
    • single serving lemonade in a glass with lemons
      Single Serving Lemonade

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Lindsay
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Statement

    Extras

    • Newsletter
    • Resources
    • On the Side

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with Me
    • Wild Flour Media

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 The Live-In Kitchen

    Please read my Privacy Policy.
    27 shares