If you are looking for a dessert that perfectly balances nutty richness and sweet indulgence, look no further than this Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe. These cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with chunks of mini peanut butter cups that melt into a heavenly surprise with every bite. The simplicity of the ingredients belies their incredible flavor, making this recipe your new go-to for quick, satisfying treats that feel homemade but impress like a bakery favorite. Whether you want a cozy snack or a crowd-pleasing dessert, these cookies never disappoint.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to baking these irresistible cookies, and you’ll find each one plays an important role in creating the perfect texture, taste, and appearance.
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter: The star ingredient that gives these cookies their rich, nutty flavor and moist texture.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: Balances the peanut butter’s savoriness with just the right amount of sweetness.
- 1 large egg: Binds the dough together and helps create that lovely soft chew.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a background warmth and depth that elevates the overall flavor.
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda: Gives a slight lift and tender crumb to the cookies.
- ½ cup mini peanut butter cups, chopped: Bursts of melty candy magic throughout every cookie.
- ½ cup chocolate chips (optional): Perfect for melting and drizzling over the top for extra chocolate decadence.
- Sea salt (optional): A sprinkling to enhance flavor contrasts and bring out the sweetness.
How to Make Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This step ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, giving them that perfect non-greasy bottom.
Step 2: Combine Your Wet and Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, mix together the creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and baking soda. The dough will be thick and sticky, which is exactly what you want for chewy, rich cookies.
Step 3: Fold in the Peanut Butter Cups
Gently fold the chopped mini peanut butter cups into your dough. This step adds delicious pockets of melted peanut butter candy that make these cookies truly exceptional.
Step 4: Portion Your Cookies
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto your parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading. Using a cookie scoop helps keep them uniform in size.
Step 5: Flatten Slightly
With a fork, gently flatten each cookie slightly. This not only helps them bake evenly but also creates a classic crisscross pattern that looks inviting and familiar.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, until the edges turn golden brown. This quick bake time keeps the centers soft and chewy, which is the hallmark of this recipe.
Step 7: Add the Chocolate Drizzle (Optional)
If you want to take these to the next level, melt your chocolate chips in short bursts in the microwave and drizzle generously over the cooled cookies. Toss on a pinch of sea salt for a mouthwatering sweet and salty finish.
Step 8: Cool Completely
Transfer your cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling ensures the melted peanut butter cups and chocolate drizzle set nicely without becoming a mess.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top enhances the flavor and adds a perfect contrast to these sweet, nutty treats. You can also add extra mini peanut butter cups or a dusting of powdered sugar for a festive touch.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a tall glass of cold milk or a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate. The rich peanut butter and chocolate flavors are comfort food essentials that turn any sip into a mini celebration.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe on a decorative platter with assorted nuts and chocolate chunks for a stunning dessert board. Alternatively, sandwich them with vanilla ice cream for an indulgent homemade ice cream sandwich experience that’s sure to wow your friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh and chewy for up to 4 days. Adding a slice of bread to the container can help maintain moisture.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking for up to three months. Simply thaw at room temperature before baking, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time as needed. Baked cookies freeze well too; just place them in a single layer on a tray to freeze and then transfer to a freezer-safe container.
Reheating
Warm your cookies for a few seconds in the microwave or in a low oven to revive that just-baked softness and enhance the gooey peanut butter cup centers. This little step makes them feel fresh from the oven every time.
FAQs
Can I use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy?
Yes! Chunky peanut butter will add a bit more texture and crunch to your cookies, which some people love. Just be aware that it may change the dough’s consistency slightly, so adjust the mixing time as needed.
Are peanut butter cups necessary for this recipe?
They are the highlight of this Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe, providing those delicious melty bursts of candy. However, if you don’t have any, chocolate chips alone can still make tasty cookies with a slightly different flavor profile.
How big should the cookie dough balls be?
A tablespoon-sized scoop works perfectly. This size creates cookies that bake evenly and yield about 16 cookies per batch. Feel free to make them smaller or larger, but adjust baking times accordingly.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
This recipe is naturally gluten-free as it contains no flour. Just be sure to double-check that your peanut butter cups and other ingredients do not contain any gluten additives.
What if I don’t have mini peanut butter cups?
You can chop regular-sized peanut butter cups into small pieces or even use peanut butter chips as a substitute. The key is to have those little pockets of peanut butter candy throughout the cookies for that signature taste.
Final Thoughts
This Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe has quickly become a heartfelt favorite because it’s simple, fast, and absolutely delicious. It’s one of those recipes I love sharing because it feels like a warm hug in cookie form. Give it a try, and trust me, you’ll keep coming back for more every time you need a little sweet escape.
Print
Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 16 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these rich and chewy Peanut Butter Cup Cookies, perfectly combining creamy peanut butter and chopped mini peanut butter cups for a decadent treat. Easy to make with simple ingredients, these cookies offer a sweet and slightly salty flavor with an optional chocolate drizzle for extra indulgence.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup mini peanut butter cups, chopped
Optional Toppings
- ½ cup chocolate chips (for drizzle)
- Sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Make Dough: In a large bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and baking soda. Mix well until ingredients are fully blended into a thick and sticky dough.
- Incorporate Peanut Butter Cups: Gently fold the chopped mini peanut butter cups into the dough, ensuring even distribution without breaking them up too much.
- Portion Cookies: Use a tablespoon to scoop dough portions onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Flatten Cookies: Lightly press each cookie down with a fork to flatten and create a classic peanut butter cookie pattern.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown, signaling they are done.
- Optional Chocolate Drizzle: While the cookies cool on the sheet, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cookies and sprinkle with sea salt for a sweet-savory contrast.
- Cool Completely: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing them to set properly before serving or storing.
Notes
- Be careful not to overbake; cookies will firm up as they cool.
- Use creamy peanut butter for best texture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- You can omit the chocolate drizzle and sea salt if preferred.
- For a more intense peanut butter flavor, consider using natural peanut butter but adjust sugar to taste.
