• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Keepin' It Kind
  • Recipes
  • Travel & Dining
  • Resources
  • Being Vegan
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Travel & Dining
  • Resources
  • Being Vegan
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Travel & Dining
    • Resources
    • Being Vegan
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Nut-Free Chocolate Pumpkin Butter Cups + A GIVEAWAY!

    November 14, 2014 by keepinitkind 73 Comments

    Nut-Free Chocolate Pumpkin Butter Cups

    Remember back when we made Maple Spice Pumpkin Butter?

    Nut-Free Chocolate Pumpkin Butter Cups

    And for awhile, everything was going great but then we were like "Man, spreading pumpkin butter on all of my toast and using it as a filling for cinnamon rolls is getting boring."*

    Nut-Free Chocolate Pumpkin Butter Cups

    Then we all looked at each other, wondering what we were going to do about this newfound Pumpkin Butter Boredom.**

    Nut-Free Chocolate Pumpkin Butter Cups

    At that very moment, the equivalent of My Birthday and Christmas having a baby happened: My favorite vegan chocolate chips were sent to me via mail. Talk about a good mail day!

    Nut-Free Chocolate Pumpkin Butter Cups

    Before I start professing my love for these chocolate chips, I want to talk to you about sugar. I am vegan for the animals so naturally, I want to make the world better for animals by helping others make more plant-based choices. Aside from urging you to consume vegan sugar (rather than regular sugar that is filtered through bone char) and consider doing so in moderation, I make no other suggestions to you regarding your intake. I also prefer not to make any suggestions involving other types of food, like oil, salt, or gluten-containing foods and I make no claims as to other types of diets, such as raw or macrobiotic, being 'better for you." My reasoning is this: For someone considering a vegan diet, I think the thought of eliminating animal products from one's diet can be daunting enough. I don't want to villainize any other foods or ways of cooking because that can make the idea of a vegan diet just that much more overwhelming. There's no need to make the transition any more complicated than it needs to be.

    Nut-Free Chocolate Pumpkin Butter Cups

    With that said, I personally feel better when I don't consume sugar, though I'm not super die-hard strict about it. I try not to buy things containing sugar or evaporated cane syrup, though I do use sweeteners (sparingly) such as coconut sugar, brown rice syrup, maple syrup, and (even more sparingly) agave syrup. I do use stevia and xylitol from time to time as well. It's not something vegans need to do, but I feel my best when I avoid sugar. Because I try to live this way, finding vegan chocolate chips (because this girl needs her chocolate!!!) that were also sugar-free became my unicorn. I'd never seen them yet I wanted to believe that they existed.

    Nut-Free Chocolate Pumpkin Butter Cups

    Then I found Lily's Dark Chocolate Premium Baking Chips, that just so happen to be sweetened with stevia. Ever since that fateful day that I laid my eyes upon them on the shelves of Whole Foods, they have been my go-to chocolate chips. They are a bit on the pricey side but for me, but they are totally worth it. They melt beautifully for chocolate candies or sauces and they taste amazing. When Lily's Sweets contacted me to review their spectacular fair-trade, stevia-sweetened chocolate morsels (and give away a couple of bags!!!), I was like "Please, guys, stopping twisting my arm!"

    Nut-Free Chocolate Pumpkin Butter Cups

    Which brings me back to our pumpkin butter conundrum. I was going to make just plain old chocolate peanut butter cups (you can never go wrong with a classic), but with that jar of pumpkin butter staring me in the face, I knew what I had to do. For all of you with nut allergies, these Chocolate Pumpkin Butter Cups are nut-free! These beautiful little sugar-free chocolate cups are filled simply with pumpkin butter, thickened with oat flour and powdered xylitol (though powdered sugar would work just as well), and sprinkled with a little sea salt. Chris was so ecstatic about them, he actually said that they were "F*%$ing better than peanut butter cups." Then there was an awkward silence that occurs after someone says something really blasphemous or farts. After a few moments, I said "I don't know that they're better," and then I whispered so that the jar of peanut butter in the cupboard couldn't hear "but they're just as good." And then I ate 3 more. Pumpkin Butter Boredom*** be gone!

    Nut-Free Chocolate Pumpkin Butter Cups

    Print
    Nut-Free Chocolate Pumpkin Butter Cups

    Yield: 10 cups

    Nut-Free Chocolate Pumpkin Butter Cups

    Ingredients

    • 1/2 cup Maple Spice Pumpkin Butter
    • 4 tablespoons oat flour
    • 2 tablespoons powdered xylitol (or powdered sugar)
    • 1 1/2 cups vegan chocolate chips (preferably Lily's Dark Chocolate Chips)
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons coconut oil
    • sea salt

    Instructions

    1. In a small bowl, mix together the pumpkin butter, oat flour, and powdered xylitol (or sugar). Once combined, place the bowl in the refrigerator.
    2. Combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a double boiler (or a glass bowl situated over a pot of boiling water), stirring occasionally until fully melted and smooth. Remove from the heat.
    3. Line 10 wells of a muffin tin with cupcake liners (or use a plastic candy mold, if you have one). Scoop about 2 teaspoons of melted chocolate into each liner and lightly spread so that it coats the bottom.
    4. Take the pumpkin butter out of the refrigerator and scoop 1 tablespoon of pumpkin butter into each well and use your fingers to gently press down and flatten (it will be sticky so just do the best you can). Scoop 1 1/2 teaspoons of chocolate into each liner over the pumpkin butter and use the back of the measuring spoon to spread it out, fully covering the pumpkin butter. Sprinkle sea salt over each one and place the muffin tin in the refrigerator. Let them chill for at least 30 minutes (if you can't control yourself), but preferably for about an hour or two. Once they are firm, they are ready to be eaten. Enjoy!
    3.1

    Nut-Free Chocolate Pumpkin Butter Cups

    Now for the giveaway! Lily's Sweets is being super generous and letting me give away 2 bags of their vegan, sugar-free chocolate chips to 1 of my lucky readers! The giveaway will run until 11:59 pm PST on November 19th, 2014 and is open to US residents only. Please use the box below to enter! UPDATE: Giveaway Ended.

    What is your absolute, most favorite way to use chocolate chips?

    *Nobody ever said this.

    **Totally not a thing. I just made it up.

    ***Again- there's no such thing.

    Disclaimer: I was given this product to review but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

    Photography by Chris Miller

    More

    • Alive & Radiant's Kale Krunch Review + Discount Code!
    • But I Could Never Go Vegan!
    • Petit Vour Beauty Box Review & GIVEAWAY!
    • Sloppy Gingers & a review of Mistress Ginger Cooks!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Abby @ The Frosted Vegan

      November 14, 2014 at 9:06 am

      Oh goodness, noooo you didn't!

      Reply
    2. Michelle Micci

      November 14, 2014 at 9:12 am

      In Pancakes, Oatmeal, Home made granola bars.... I basically love chocolate chips

      Reply
    3. Deanne O

      November 14, 2014 at 9:19 am

      I have to go with any kind of chocolate chip cookie for my favorite way to use chocolate chips but in cakes, pancakes and muffins they aren't too bad either!!

      Reply
    4. Kristina

      November 14, 2014 at 10:04 am

      Pretty much everywhere, especially in brownies and cookies. Sometimes I just grab a couple and let them melt in my mouth to get an afternoon chocolate fix.

      Reply
    5. Shannon

      November 14, 2014 at 10:13 am

      Definitely in chocolate chip cookies!

      Reply
    6. Caitlin

      November 14, 2014 at 10:18 am

      you make me laugh. this post is awesome. i love you.

      Reply
    7. Jessica DeMarra

      November 14, 2014 at 10:40 am

      Stevia and I aren't buddies. It always gives me a wicked headache but I think I will be making this recipe since your tester responded to it with vulgarity in the best way. I just love that.

      Reply
    8. Shannon

      November 14, 2014 at 10:45 am

      Chocolate chips will always be my favorite in cookies, but I've been known to eat a handful out of the bag at times too.

      Reply
    9. Nicole @ Runs & WODs

      November 14, 2014 at 10:47 am

      I love using chocolate chips in my chocolate chip pumpkin muffin recipe but the best way to eat chocolate chips is a big handful!

      Reply
    10. Tiffany L

      November 14, 2014 at 10:49 am

      Adding them to cookies, brownies and making delicious peanut butter balls or peanut butter cups...and those pumpkin butter cups look good too.

      Reply
    11. Angela B

      November 14, 2014 at 11:02 am

      In cookies!

      Reply
    12. Nicollette D.

      November 14, 2014 at 11:14 am

      Chocolate chip cookies. Classic.

      Reply
    13. Becca F

      November 14, 2014 at 11:14 am

      I love Lily's chocolate chips. My favorite way to eat chocolate is in fudge form.

      Reply
    14. Laura

      November 14, 2014 at 11:15 am

      Sadly I eat them straight out of the bag as dessert!

      Reply
    15. Christine

      November 14, 2014 at 11:15 am

      My favorite way to use chocolate chips is in trail mix.

      Reply
    16. Dandi D

      November 14, 2014 at 12:02 pm

      I love to put them in my chocolate oatmeal.

      Reply
    17. Melissa

      November 14, 2014 at 12:37 pm

      Am I allowed to say that my most favorite way to use chocolate chips is to eat them directly from the bag?

      If not, then definitely my most favorite way to use them is in very large quantities in dense, moist, and fudgy vegan brownies.

      Reply
    18. Kimberly B.

      November 14, 2014 at 12:42 pm

      Not to try to encourage you to consume more sugar, but I always thought that sugar affected the way I felt in a negative way, too, until I figured out that it's actually combining sugar and fat in decent (or greater) quantities that does it. So eating lots of cookies, cakes, etc. makes me feel like crap, but consuming a ton of fruit, or adding a hefty dose of sugar to something lower-fat, doesn't have any (fruit) or much (sugary low-fat treats) effect. That said, sugar's still something we're better off limiting or avoiding! I think sugar and refined grains get a bad rap, though, and that some of it is undeserved: I don't personally believe they're responsible for our health problems, although in the context of animal product-heavy diets they certainly don't help. The real issue with them is that they displace healthier whole plant foods from the diet. Eating a diet centered on anything but whole plant foods doesn't add up to longterm good health.

      Reply
    19. Kimberly B.

      November 14, 2014 at 12:45 pm

      Just realized I posted and didn't even mention the recipe! Kind of rude of me... These look phenomenal. Going to share on Facebook right now! 🙂

      Reply
    20. Beth

      November 14, 2014 at 1:17 pm

      Is right out of the bag an answer? : )
      Chocolate chip cookies are my fav, but I am definitely trying these cups! My WF doesn't have Lily's, though.

      Reply
    21. Eileen

      November 14, 2014 at 1:30 pm

      I like chocolate chips every which way -- but I think my favorite thing to do is just eat them out of the bag! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

      Reply
    22. Heather B.

      November 14, 2014 at 1:36 pm

      I love chocolate chips in so many ways, but my favorite way is probably in vegan cowboy cookies!

      Reply
    23. courtney

      November 14, 2014 at 1:44 pm

      I love chocolate chips mixed into oats 🙂

      Reply
    24. Afton

      November 14, 2014 at 1:57 pm

      Double Chocolate - Tart Cherry Cookies!

      Reply
    25. Sarah

      November 14, 2014 at 2:56 pm

      Lately I've been using melted chocolate chips to make a tofu based cupcake frosting. Delicious!

      Reply
    26. Michelle

      November 14, 2014 at 3:53 pm

      Warm gooey chocolate chip pancakes are my weakness.

      Reply
    27. jacquie

      November 14, 2014 at 6:28 pm

      just eat them! in a recipe it would oatmeal cookies.

      Reply
    28. Laura

      November 14, 2014 at 6:59 pm

      In vegan fudgy brownies!!!

      Reply
    29. Christina

      November 14, 2014 at 7:36 pm

      Peppermint bark! I mix white and bittersweet.

      Reply
    30. Jaclyn F

      November 14, 2014 at 7:51 pm

      I just eat them usually! Cookies or pumpkin bread are good uses too, though. 🙂

      Reply
    31. HilLesha

      November 14, 2014 at 11:38 pm

      I love using them in a trail mix. Thanks for the giveaway!

      Reply
    32. Thalia @ butter and brioche

      November 14, 2014 at 11:51 pm

      Love these chocolate and pumpkin butter cups! Definitely can see myself snacking on many of these.. definitely a recipe I need to try!

      Reply
    33. Millie l Add A Little

      November 15, 2014 at 12:34 am

      Love the pumpkin - perfect for fall!

      Reply
    34. The Vegan Cookie Fairy

      November 15, 2014 at 1:31 am

      Aw man, I wish this contest was open worldwide! Those pumpkin butter cups look to die for! Totally going to make some for Christmas this year, I'm sure the family will love them!

      Reply
    35. Johanna GGG

      November 15, 2014 at 2:30 am

      sounds much better than peanut butter cups to me - the pumpkin butter sounds just heavenly and all things are better with chocolate

      Reply
    36. Greg Allbee

      November 15, 2014 at 3:59 am

      May not be original, but it's hard to beat a chocolate chip cookie. Or add some to oatmeal raisin cookies for your chocolate fix 😉

      Reply
    37. Rachel

      November 15, 2014 at 4:13 am

      These look amazing! My favorite way to use chocolate chips is in brownies.

      Reply
    38. Bethany

      November 15, 2014 at 5:06 am

      Chocolate chip cookies!

      Reply
    39. Lisa

      November 15, 2014 at 5:24 am

      In a good ol' chocolate chip cookie!!

      Reply
    40. jessica z

      November 15, 2014 at 5:33 am

      I love putting chocolate chips in my oatmeal and protein shakes!

      Reply
    41. Janel M.

      November 15, 2014 at 6:21 am

      Truly and honestly, my favorite way to eat chocolate chips is right out of the bag.

      Reply
    42. Laura

      November 15, 2014 at 6:33 am

      Love chocolate chips in muffins, pancakes and granola. Really anything that might go well with chocolate,,,which is just about everything! LOL

      Reply
    43. elsa

      November 15, 2014 at 7:44 am

      In cookies, muffins, pancakes, oatmeal, cakes...... Is there a favorite way??? 🙂

      Reply
    44. Madeline

      November 15, 2014 at 9:38 am

      I love them in chocolate chip cookies and/or banana bread!

      Reply
    45. Sara @ Don't Feed After Midnight

      November 15, 2014 at 9:52 am

      I like to use them in homemade granola bars 🙂

      Reply
    46. Sarah | Broma Bakery

      November 15, 2014 at 11:05 am

      Saw these on FG and just had to come say WOW! How gorgeous. Glad I stumbled upon your site. Loving every bit!

      Reply
    47. Lauryn Linley

      November 15, 2014 at 11:09 am

      So I'm not ashamed to eat chocolate chips right out of the bag...but I also love them in chocolate chip muffins with fresh cranberries! Soooo yummy!

      Reply
    48. Caitlin

      November 15, 2014 at 11:30 am

      Wow, those sound amazing! I thought peanut butter cups were the best thing ever until I saw this!

      Reply
    49. Laura

      November 15, 2014 at 1:39 pm

      In chocolate chip cookies, of course!! 🙂

      Reply
    50. Julia

      November 15, 2014 at 2:42 pm

      In cookies, in pancakes, straight from the bag...

      Reply
    51. Heather

      November 15, 2014 at 3:27 pm

      I love chocolate chips in cookies, or just straight up from the bag for a little treat

      Reply
    52. Megan S

      November 15, 2014 at 3:48 pm

      Besides eating them straight out of the bag? Probably cookies.

      Reply
    53. Kim

      November 15, 2014 at 5:33 pm

      Melted with ANYTHING dipped in them

      Reply
    54. Marina

      November 15, 2014 at 7:10 pm

      I just love eating them out of the bag....but I guess if I had to pick I love them in pancakes, cookies, and oatmeal!

      Reply
    55. Yoojin

      November 15, 2014 at 7:14 pm

      my favorite way to use chocolate chips is in cookies, of course 🙂

      Reply
    56. Danielle

      November 15, 2014 at 7:14 pm

      Chocolate chip cookies! Can't wait to try it in something more exciting like these Chocolate Pumpkin Butter Cups!!

      Reply
    57. Kristy

      November 15, 2014 at 7:17 pm

      My favorite way to use chocolate chips is in cookies, cupcakes and trail mix!

      Reply
    58. Tiffany Gutridge

      November 15, 2014 at 7:45 pm

      Sometimes I mix chocolate chips into my morning bowl of Cheerios and almond milk! 🙂

      Reply
    59. Ana @ Ana's Rocket Ship

      November 16, 2014 at 2:22 am

      I keep saying that I need to make some of those chocolate cup things. This may well be where I start! And seriously, you got bored of pumpkin?

      Reply
    60. Anna

      November 16, 2014 at 10:22 am

      Besides just shoving them in my face between meals, I love chocolate chips in my overnight oats and in pancakes with cinnamon 🙂

      Reply
    61. Ilene

      November 16, 2014 at 12:57 pm

      By the handful is best. If there are any left I might make chocolate chip cookies.

      Reply
    62. Lydia Claire

      November 16, 2014 at 7:30 pm

      Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Blondies!

      Reply
    63. jane

      November 16, 2014 at 7:43 pm

      By a handful and shoveling into my mouth! And adding them to any vegan cookies

      Reply
    64. Jordan

      November 16, 2014 at 7:47 pm

      I used to love chocolate chip cookie dough, but I avoid it because of the eggs and all the sugar. It would be awesome to win and be able to make some vegan, low-sugar cookie dough! Your recipe sounds so delicious, and the pictures are beautiful!

      Reply
    65. Amy Skelton

      November 16, 2014 at 7:56 pm

      In pancakes!!

      Reply
    66. Abby

      November 17, 2014 at 4:13 am

      chocolate chip pancakes!

      Reply
    67. Laurie

      November 17, 2014 at 7:24 am

      It's got to be cookies!!

      Reply
    68. Chi

      November 17, 2014 at 8:57 am

      Chocolate chip cookies! 🙂

      Reply
    69. Amy

      November 17, 2014 at 10:00 am

      pumpkin choc chip muffins are my favorite so I must make these asap!

      Reply
    70. Nirvana

      November 18, 2014 at 3:21 am

      My favorite way to use chocolate chips is in warm, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies!

      Reply
    71. AprileJ

      November 18, 2014 at 10:35 am

      By the handful!

      Reply
    72. Sophia

      November 18, 2014 at 11:11 am

      My favorite way to eat chocolate chips is probably in cookie dough. Baking is so unnecessary sometimes.

      Reply
    73. Cherie @ Food Recipes Easy

      May 01, 2015 at 12:16 pm

      Though we are not used to muffins, I'm really impressed with it. I would like to add them in my granola bars.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Keepin' it Kind! I'm Kristy- Animal Lover, Travel Fanatic, and Chickpea Devotee. Join me as I make the world a kinder place, one delicious vegan meal at a time…

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Gluten-Free, Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
    • Chile-Roasted Smashed Potato Tacos with Cilantro-Avocado Sauce
    • Roasted Butternut Squash Chili Mac
    • Lentil and Mushroom Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services
    • Media Kit
    • FAQ

    Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material (content and images) without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Keepin' It Kind with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

    Copyright © 2022 Keepin' It Kind