NEW YORK, January 21, 2026 — Craving a sweet treat without derailing your fitness goals? A new take on a classic dessert delivers just that: homemade peanut butter cups boasting over 7 grams of protein per serving. These aren’t your average candy bar indulgence; they’re a protein-packed way to satisfy your sweet tooth and stay on track.
A Protein Boost for a Classic Treat
These homemade peanut butter cups offer a guilt-free way to enjoy a beloved dessert while increasing your protein intake.
- The recipe utilizes three protein sources: peanut butter, protein powder, and peanut powder.
- Choosing a smooth, no-stir peanut butter is key to achieving a creamy texture.
- Plain vanilla protein powder allows the peanut butter flavor to shine.
- Powdered peanut butter adds thickness and an extra boost of protein and flavor.
- The cups can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for up to a month.
These cups get their protein punch from a trio of ingredients: peanut butter, protein powder, and peanut powder. Because these are the only three ingredients in the filling, selecting quality options is crucial.
While natural peanut butter is often preferred for baking, its tendency to separate can be problematic. For these cups, a no-stir “all-natural” variety is recommended. Testing revealed that the smoother, homogenized texture of brands like Jif or Skippy better replicates the creaminess of a traditional peanut butter cup. However, any brand can be used, as long as it’s salted!
To let the peanut butter flavor truly shine, plain vanilla protein powder is the best choice. Feel free to use your favorite brand; if you’re unsure, Ascent worked well during testing.
Powdered peanut butter, created by pressing peanuts to remove most of their fat and then grinding them, is a versatile ingredient. Beyond thickening the filling and adding extra flavor and protein to these cups, it can be used to enhance buttercreams, season dry rubs, or boost the protein content of smoothies.
These high-protein peanut butter cups can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week or frozen for up to one month.
What’s the best way to ensure a creamy texture in these protein peanut butter cups? Using a no-stir variety of natural peanut butter, or a homogenized brand like Jif or Skippy, will help achieve the desired consistency.
