Irresistible Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe for Sweet Smiles

Baking these mouthwatering peanut butter cup cookies brings pure happiness to any afternoon.

Sweet chocolate and creamy peanut butter create an irresistible combination that melts in your mouth.

Soft, chewy textures promise a delightful experience for dessert lovers.

Rich flavors burst through each carefully crafted bite, promising pure indulgence.

Chocolate lovers will absolutely adore these decadent treats that take minimal effort to prepare.

Chocolate chips and peanut butter cups merge into a symphony of deliciousness that feels like a warm hug.

You need to experience this incredible recipe right now.

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Everyone Will Crave

• Blast Through Baking: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make these cookies a breeze to create, perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• Crowd-Pleasing Treat: Combining classic peanut butter cookie flavors with chocolate peanut butter cups ensures these cookies will be an instant hit with kids and adults alike.
• Quick Dessert Solution: Minimal prep time and fast baking means you can have delicious homemade cookies ready in under half an hour, ideal for sudden sweet cravings or unexpected guests.
• Versatile Party Favorite: Great for potlucks, birthday celebrations, school events, or casual gatherings where you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

• Peanut Butter: The creamy foundation that gives rich flavor and texture to the cookies.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a soft cookie texture.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds structure to the cookie dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, sweet aroma.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and creates a light, tender texture.

• Mini Peanut Butter Cups: Chocolate and peanut butter candies that add a delightful surprise in the center of each cookie.

• Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy removal from the baking sheet.

Baking Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Made Simple

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Warm up the oven to 350F (175C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.

Step 2: Create Cookie Dough

• Peanut butter
• Sugar
• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Baking soda

Mix all ingredients until the mixture becomes smooth and fully combined.

Step 3: Shape Cookie Balls

Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into perfect round balls.

Space each ball about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 4: Create Classic Cookie Texture

Use a fork to gently press down on each dough ball, creating a classic crisscross pattern and slightly flattening the cookies.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the cookie edges turn golden and the centers look set.

Step 6: Add Chocolate Peanut Butter Surprise

While cookies are baking, unwrap mini peanut butter cups. Once cookies come out of the oven, immediately press a peanut butter cup into the center of each warm cookie, allowing it to slightly sink in.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest completely on the baking sheet. Once cooled, transfer to a wire rack.

Serve and enjoy these delightful treats!

Top Tips for Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

• Refrigerate the cookie dough for 15-20 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain a perfect round shape.
• Use creamy, smooth peanut butter without added oils for the best texture and consistent cookie results.
• Press peanut butter cups gently into warm cookies to prevent melting while ensuring they stay in place.
• Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to ensure easy cookie removal and prevent burning.
• Keep cookies in a cool, dry place and separate layers with parchment paper to maintain their delicate chocolate topping.

Fun Twists for Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

• Chocolate Chip Swap: Replace peanut butter cups with chocolate chips or chunks for a classic cookie variation.
• Almond Butter Alternative: Substitute peanut butter with almond butter for a different nutty flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free flour blend and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for celiac-friendly cookies.
• Vegan Adaptation: Replace egg with flax egg, use dairy-free chocolate cups, and choose plant-based peanut butter to create a vegan-friendly version.

Best Foods to Serve with Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Strong espresso cuts through the cookie’s sweetness, creating a bold contrast that highlights the peanut butter’s nutty depth.

Smooth chocolate milk enhances the peanut butter cup’s flavor, creating a nostalgic and indulgent dessert experience that feels like childhood comfort.

Chilled vanilla milkshake complements the cookie’s warmth, providing a cool, creamy backdrop that balances the rich peanut butter and chocolate notes.

Deep, slightly bitter dark roast coffee intensifies the cookie’s sweet and nutty profile, offering a sophisticated adult twist to this playful treat.

Keeping Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Fresh

• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days. Keep them cool and dry to maintain freshness.
• Place cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Warm individual cookies for 10-15 seconds on medium power. Check to prevent overheating, which can make them tough and dry.
• Warm cookies at 275F for 3-5 minutes. Spread on a baking sheet and cover loosely with foil to prevent burning and retain moisture.

FAQs

• Are these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, the basic recipe is naturally gluten-free since it doesn’t contain flour. However, always check that your peanut butter and other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

• Can I use natural peanut butter?

It’s best to use traditional creamy peanut butter with stabilizers. Natural peanut butter might make the cookies too oily and less stable.

• How do I prevent the peanut butter cups from melting completely?

Remove cookies from the oven and quickly press peanut butter cups into the center while cookies are still hot but not scorching. The residual heat will slightly melt the chocolate without completely dissolving it.

Gooey Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Indulgent “gooey peanut butter cup cookies” blend rich chocolate with creamy peanut butter in a heavenly dessert. Warm, freshly baked cookies invite comfort and pure delight for those craving an irresistible sweet treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg

Binding and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Topping:

• 12 mini peanut butter cups (such as Reeses)

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C), preparing a parchment-lined baking sheet for the upcoming cookie creation.
2. In a spacious mixing vessel, blend peanut butter, sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and baking soda until achieving a smooth, uniform consistency.
3. Craft uniform dough spheres using a tablespoon measure, positioning them with generous spacing across the prepared baking surface.
4. Employ a fork to delicately flatten each dough ball, creating gentle crosshatch patterns and ensuring even thickness.
5. Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven, allowing the cookies to transform for 8-10 minutes until golden-edged and structurally stable.
6. During the baking interval, meticulously unwrap the miniature peanut butter cups, readying them for their culinary placement.
7. Immediately upon cookie extraction, tenderly nestle a peanut butter cup into the center of each warm cookie, applying gentle pressure to anchor them securely.
8. Allow the cookies to rest and solidify completely on the baking sheet, permitting the chocolate cups to stabilize before transferring to a cooling rack.

Notes

• Ensure peanut butter is at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cookie texture.
• Use creamy peanut butter for consistent dough and softer cookies, avoiding natural varieties with separated oils.
• Chill dough for 15-20 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and maintain cookie shape.
• For gluten-free option, substitute regular flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 152
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 65 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg