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No-Bake Cowboy Cookie Cups

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5 from 1 vote

These cookie cups are like an almond butter cup and a cowboy cookie had a baby. Chewy gluten free oats*, coconut and crunchy pecans are coated in smooth chocolate for a no-bake, no refined sugar, no gluten, no dairy dessert!

Paleo No-Bake Cowboy Cookie Cups: These cookie cups are like an almond butter cup and a cowboy cookie had a baby. Chewy oats, coconut and crunchy pecans are coated in smooth chocolate for a no-bake, no refined sugar, no gluten, no dairy, all paleo dessert! | stressbaking.com #stressbaking #cowboycookies #cookiecups #nobake #nobakedessert #dessert #almondbutter #paleo #glutenfree #refinedsugarfree #dairyfree #vegan

Paleo disclaimer

I run on the belief that a few gluten free oats aren't the end of the world and are okay for a paleo diet, but if you're a strict paleo-diet follower you likely disagree. If so, try substituting them with quinoa flakes!

This recipe was born from a craving and the refusal to get out of bed on a Saturday morning. I, along with probably most everyone on Pinterest, has drooled over this picture of almond butter cups (from Pinch of Yum), and/or this picture of salted caramel chocolate cups (from Creme de la Crumb).

They're perfectly portioned dessert perfection. They're like Reeses peanut butter cups, but without all the ingredients you can't pronounce, but even better because they're homemade and tailored to the flavors that you want.

Paleo No-Bake Cowboy Cookie Cups: These cookie cups are like an almond butter cup and a cowboy cookie had a baby. Chewy oats, coconut and crunchy pecans are coated in smooth chocolate for a no-bake, no refined sugar, no gluten, no dairy, all paleo dessert! | stressbaking.com #stressbaking #cowboycookies #cookiecups #nobake #nobakedessert #dessert #almondbutter #paleo #glutenfree #refinedsugarfree #dairyfree #vegan

So, one Saturday morning I was in my bed, engulfed by blankets and pillow, and refusing to get out of said bed because it was winter and effing freezing. I grabbed my phone and started scrolling through Pinterest to find a breakfast recipe idea that would be motivating enough to make me want to leave my blanket cocoon and walk down three flights of stairs to the kitchen. 

I didn't find one.

Paleo No-Bake Cowboy Cookie Cups: These cookie cups are like an almond butter cup and a cowboy cookie had a baby. Chewy oats, coconut and crunchy pecans are coated in smooth chocolate for a no-bake, no refined sugar, no gluten, no dairy, all paleo dessert! | stressbaking.com #stressbaking #cowboycookies #cookiecups #nobake #nobakedessert #dessert #almondbutter #paleo #glutenfree #refinedsugarfree #dairyfree #vegan

But what I did find was those two damn pictures, over and over again in my feed. They called to me. They were just begging me to go downstairs, melt some stuff and stir it together. But for whatever reason, neither of them felt quite right. I didn't want salted caramel, and straight almond butter filling didn't feel like enough.

I decided what I actually wanted was cookies. I wanted cookies that were loaded with all kinds of stuff – none of this basic chocolate chip cookie nonsense for me that day. We're talking oats, nuts, coconut, cinnamon – hearty cookies. Cowboy cookies.

But then I also wanted them to be covered in chocolate – not just filled with chocolate chips.

Paleo No-Bake Cowboy Cookie Cups: These cookie cups are like an almond butter cup and a cowboy cookie had a baby. Chewy oats, coconut and crunchy pecans are coated in smooth chocolate for a no-bake, no refined sugar, no gluten, no dairy, all paleo dessert! | stressbaking.com #stressbaking #cowboycookies #cookiecups #nobake #nobakedessert #dessert #almondbutter #paleo #glutenfree #refinedsugarfree #dairyfree #vegan

It kinda seemed like maybe chocolate covered cowboy cookies might be pushing it as a breakfast option, even if I tried to use the YOLO justification. So I figured… why not combine cowboy cookies with almond butter cups, and try to make them paleo?

That's a challenge for which I can get out of bed.

Paleo No-Bake Cowboy Cookie Cups: These cookie cups are like an almond butter cup and a cowboy cookie had a baby. Chewy oats, coconut and crunchy pecans are coated in smooth chocolate for a no-bake, no refined sugar, no gluten, no dairy, all paleo dessert! | stressbaking.com #stressbaking #cowboycookies #cookiecups #nobake #nobakedessert #dessert #almondbutter #paleo #glutenfree #refinedsugarfree #dairyfree #vegan

Easy to make

I'm going to be honest – it really wasn't that hard to whip up. I started with the almond butter base, and just added the rest of the ingredients in increments until I had the texture I wanted.

I wanted them to be hearty, not runny. I didn't want to bite into something that would drip out, I wanted it to stay in tact so that the messiness factor was minimal. 

Mind you, you'll always end up with chocolatey fingers, but that's just a badge of honor IMHO.

Paleo No-Bake Cowboy Cookie Cups: These cookie cups are like an almond butter cup and a cowboy cookie had a baby. Chewy oats, coconut and crunchy pecans are coated in smooth chocolate for a no-bake, no refined sugar, no gluten, no dairy, all paleo dessert! | stressbaking.com #stressbaking #cowboycookies #cookiecups #nobake #nobakedessert #dessert #almondbutter #paleo #glutenfree #refinedsugarfree #dairyfree #vegan

Adjust accordingly

Feel free to adjust to your personal preference, though – use more almond butter and less of the rest if you like the danger of not knowing if you might end up wearing your food. You wild child, you.

Also, add a sprinkle of sea salt and shredded coconut on top. It makes them pretty, and the salt enhances the flavor of the chocolate (it's a thing). 

Paleo No-Bake Cowboy Cookie Cups: These cookie cups are like an almond butter cup and a cowboy cookie had a baby. Chewy oats, coconut and crunchy pecans are coated in smooth chocolate for a no-bake, no refined sugar, no gluten, no dairy, all paleo dessert! | stressbaking.com #stressbaking #cowboycookies #cookiecups #nobake #nobakedessert #dessert #almondbutter #paleo #glutenfree #refinedsugarfree #dairyfree #vegan

This makes 12 cupcake-sized cups (diameter-wise, not height – that would be INTENSE), so keep that in mind if you decide to share. I'd hate for you to shortchange yourself because you were being a good person! ;)

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No-Bake Cowboy Cookie Cups

5 from 1 vote
These cookie cups are like an almond butter cup and a cowboy cookie had a baby. Chewy gluten free oats, coconut and crunchy pecans are coated in smooth chocolate for a no-bake, no refined sugar, no gluten, no dairy dessert!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12 cups

Ingredients
 

Instructions

  • Prep a muffin tin (aff link) with liners and set aside.
  • In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt coconut oil. Add cocoa powder, sweetener (to taste) and salt and whisk to combine. Set aside to cool slightly while you prepare the filling.
    3/4 cup (163 ½ g) coconut oil
    1/2 cup (43 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
    2-4 Tablespoons (2 Tablespoons) pure maple syrup
    Pinch salt
  • In a medium bowl, combine almond butter, oats, pecans, coconut, mini chips, vanilla and cinnamon. Stir to combine.
    1/2 cup (129 g) almond butter
    1/3 cup (27 g) gluten free rolled oats*
    1/3 cup (33 g) whole pecans
    1/4 cup (23 ¼ g) shredded unsweetened coconut
    1/4 cup (45 g) mini chocolate chips
    1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    Pinch of cinnamon
  • Add sweetener and stir to combine. Add more (or less) to taste.
    1/4 cup (80 ½ g) pure maple syrup
  • Roll about a tablespoons of filling in your palms and flatten until it's slightly smaller than the width of the liner.
  • Pour a thin layer of chocolate into the bottom of each liner, place a disc of filling on top, and top with enough chocolate to cover the filling.
  • Top with coconut, chopped pecans, or sea salt, if desired. Place in freezer for at least an hour to chill and set. Enjoy!

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer for up to two weeks.
*Note: I am of the belief that gluten free oats are okay for paleo (as long as you're not consuming them by the barrel), but I know some others don't feel the same way and follow the paleo diet very strictly. If so, try substituting quinoa flakes!

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 54mg | Potassium: 177mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

The provided nutrition information is generated by an automatic API and does not take variations across specific brands into account. This information is provided as a general guideline and should not be treated as official calculations. Learn more here.

Recipe created by Leslie Kiszka

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18 Comments

  1. These candy cups look amazing! I think my boys would love these and wouldn’t know that they are actually a healthy treat.

  2. These look so rich and decadent, I am glad I don’t have a plate of them next to me cause I’d eat every single one of them. Really delicious looking.

  3. Oh man, these look absolutely amazing. I spend a lot of time scrolling on Pinterest, and just like you I find myself finding different recipes than the one I’m looking for. That’s also how I’ve found some of my favorite things to make!

  4. These look amazing!! I love that you are using almond butter and coconut oil in these. Perfect combination of flavors and adding the oats is brilliant!

  5. I’m always looking for new paleo recipes and this looks like an awesome dessert that would curb some of my sugar cravings. Thanks for sharing!

  6. Well, I’d get out of bed for that too! Lordy, I must have missed that recipe from POY or I would have already make them. But yours look amazing too. I’m going to have to make them — I’ll be obsessed until I do.

  7. Oh, these could not come at a better time! I am putting together healthy-ish Easter baskets for my family this year and these would be the perfect addition! Thanks for sharing!

  8. Next time you get that urge… make your hubby make you stuff! ;) These look really good and I would totally eat these cookies.

  9. I love no-bake recipes! these look yum..I want to pick one right up from your pictures :-) Can’t wait to try them out..Thanks for sharing!

  10. Ohh my gosh. These look incredible. I don’t think there’s any better combination than nuts and chocolate. And I love that they’re a treat that also happen to be full of good-for-you ingredients.