Katie Couric made her name as a journalist and television presenter, but these days she’s bringing her talents to the kitchen—and to Instagram. Couric is known for sharing delicious recipes, wellness tips and hard-hitting interviews on social media, and we’re always excited to see what interesting bites she shares next. 

Her latest approachable recipe is a simple, healthy take on a classic treat—a protein-packed version of the beloved Reese’s peanut butter cup, which happens to be a favorite of Couric’s. Couric took on the four-ingredient recipe with the help of her friend Kelly Rizzo. The pair are testing out a slew of social media-famous recipe ideas for a new series of Instagram reels they’re calling “Is It As Good As It Looks?”

The verdict on this recipe? Definitely as good as it looks, Couric says. This easy-to-make snack requires just coconut oil, chocolate chips, peanut butter powder and unsweetened applesauce. The result is a rich, peanut buttery chocolate bite that’s simple to whip up at home and packed with protein, making it a great alternative to store-bought candy.

To make this healthier peanut butter cup, start by mixing 1 cup peanut butter powder with ½ cup unsweetened applesauce until smooth. Couric opts for PB2’s peanut butter powder, which offers about 3 grams of protein per tablespoon. The combination creates a creamy texture, but if the mixture feels too runny, a bit of almond flour or a touch more peanut butter powder can help thicken it. With that mixture set aside, melt ½ teaspoon of coconut oil with ½ cup chocolate chips in the microwave in short bursts, stirring between each interval until smooth. 

The next step is rolling the peanut butter mixture into balls, but if the mixture is difficult to handle, refrigerate it for about 30 minutes to make the process easier. Shape the balls of peanut butter to a size you like, or follow Couric’s example and separate the mixture into 13 evenly sized balls. Using something like a tablespoon-sized scoop would make it easy to portion them out uniformly. 

Once portioned out, coat each piece in the melted chocolate, using a spoon to gently roll them through the coating. Place them on a parchment-lined tray, sprinkle with flaky salt for extra flavor and freeze for at least 30 minutes until firm. Once set, these bites are ready to enjoy straight from the freezer or can be stored in the fridge for later snacking.

One of the best things about this recipe is its nutritional benefits. For those trying out a low-fat diet, PB2 is a good alternative to traditional peanut butter—though you could also use natural peanut butter in this recipe if you lower the amount of applesauce. The unsweetened applesauce in the recipe provides a natural sweetness while keeping the recipe low in refined sugar. The coconut oil not only helps create a silky-smooth chocolate coating but also offers beneficial healthy fats.

Considering the protein in the peanut butter powder and chocolate chips, each serving of two of these bites should have about 8 grams of protein, making them a high-protein option for a snack or dessert.

With just four ingredients and no baking required, this recipe is a quick and convenient way to satisfy a sweet tooth. Whether you need a mid-afternoon energy boost or a post-dinner treat, these protein-packed peanut butter cups are a simple snack that’s worth a try. You might just fall in love with recipes like our Peanut Butter-Oat Energy Cups and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup-Inspired Smoothie, too.