Vegan chocolates are expensive and not readily available in my area which means that I’d have to order them online and pay for shipping. But I miss chocolates terribly! Not so much because I used to eat chocolates all the time, which I didn’t, more because of the thought that I can’t just go out and buy a box of See’s Candy on a whim. I had a feeling I could create some, and I gave it a shot for Valentine’s Day.
Ssshh, they are a surprise for Phillip.
I decided my first vegan chocolates would be peanut butter cups. I found the perfect silicone heart-shaped mold at Michael’s this weekend.
Silicone Heart Candy Mold
The recipe is super basic and turned out pretty scrumptious, in my opinion, even better than the real thing.
Here’s the arsenal:
Only two ingredients.
I started by melting some mini vegan chocolate chips. They sell these at most grocery stores (even the non-health food one close to my house). The mold consisted of 14 hearts, so I guestimated and started by melting about 1/3 of the bag of chocolate which worked out nicely. I shortcut tempered the chocolate in the microwave. You put it in for 30 seconds, stir and go again until it is all melted. For the amount I used, it only took a minute total. Stir, stir, stir until every chip is melted and the chocolate is super glossy.
After 30 seconds in the microwave, stir and go again for another 30 seconds.
After one minute, stir until everything is smooth and glossy.
I used a teaspoon to put a dollop of chocolate in the base of each heart. Once they were all filled, I shook it around and lightly tapped it on the counter to distribute the chocolate evenly.
Not such a neat cook.
This went into the fridge to set, only took ten minutes.
First pour out of the fridge.
Once set, I pulled out the hearts and put a dollop of creamy peanut butter into each heart. I used a butter knife to smooth it down below the top edge of the mold. Yup, I’m a messy cook. I don’t have the patience to follow the lines and got get chocolate all over my hands, shirt and counter.
Layer on the peanut butter.
After the peanut butter was in, I melted more chocolate chips, this time slightly less than the first time. That took another minute of microwave babysitting and stirring. I used a teaspoon to divide the melted chocolate among the remaining cups. I shook and lightly tapped the mold again to distribute the chocolate. I had to fill in a few holes, but everything evened out nicely.
The last chocolate is on.
This went back into the fridge. I kept it in there for two hours. Mainly because I wasn’t sure how long it would take for everything to really harden up and sort of because I forgot they were in there.
Almost done…just out of the fridge.
Once the mold was solid, I popped each heart out. This took a bit of force, but the chocolates were surprisingly hearty (pun intended). To keep everything from melting all over, I put each heart in a mini muffin paper with a Valentine’s approved design.
Not too shabby.
Taste test – cook’s obligation.
Vegan Peanut Butter Cups
Ingredients:
- 6 oz. vegan chocolate of your choice (I used Enjoy Life Mini Chips)
- 3 Tbsp Creamy Peanut Butter
- Candy Mold (I used a small 14 heart mold from Michael’s)
Instructions:
- Melt 3 oz of chocolate in 30 second increments in the microwave, stirring in between.
- Divide the melted chocolate evenly between the mold indents. Lightly shake and tap the mold to help the chocolate settle.
- Let the mold rest in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes for the chocolate to harden.
- Remove the mold and place 1 tsp of peanut butter in the center of each chocolate. Use a butter knife to smooth the peanut butter below the top edge of the mold.
- Melt the remaining chocolate in 30 second increments in the microwave, stirring in between.
- Divide the remaining chocolate evenly over the peanut butter. Lightly shake and tap the mold to allow the chocolate to completely cover the peanut butter and fill the mold.
- Allow the chocolates to rest in the refrigerator for at least one hour, and up to two hours.
- Remove the chocolates from the mold and enjoy!
I’ll be sharing mine with my Valentine on Thursday. Until then, I’m storing them covered in the fridge. I’ll remove them early Thursday morning to allow them warm up to room temp a bit while cozy in this adorable bag.
To My Valentine. xoxo
Happy Valentine’s Day!
What are you planning to make Valentine’s special this year?
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Simply Sugar and Gluten Free
Finding Vegan