Irresistible Homemade Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe

Crafting mouthwatering peanut butter cup cookies brings pure delight to any afternoon gathering.

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

Decadent treats like these remind me of childhood memories shared with cousins during summer vacations.

Unexpected bursts of chocolate chunks nestled within soft, chewy cookie dough promise an incredible sensory experience.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance between rich peanut butter and smooth chocolate flavors.

Mixing these ingredients becomes a delightful adventure that sparks joy in your kitchen.

Let’s transform simple ingredients into an extraordinary dessert that will make everyone ask for seconds.

Why Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Are a Treat Worth Baking

• Perfect for Beginners who want a simple, foolproof cookie recipe that requires minimal baking skills and basic ingredients.
• Whips up in under 30 minutes from start to finish, making it an ideal last-minute dessert for sudden sweet cravings or unexpected guests.
• Combines the irresistible combination of chocolate and peanut butter that appeals to both kids and adults, ensuring no leftovers at family gatherings or potlucks.
• Involves minimal complex steps, allowing children to help in the kitchen and learn basic baking techniques while creating delicious memories together.

What Goes Into Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cookie, providing structure and texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a tender, soft cookie base.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and contributes to their soft, chewy texture.

• Eggs: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture to the dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall cookie flavor with its warm, sweet aroma.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and brings out the other flavors in the cookie.

• Peanut Butter Cups, Reese's Cups: The star ingredient that provides a rich, chocolatey peanut butter center. Choose full-size cups for maximum flavor impact.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and creates a light, soft texture.

How to Make Peanut Butter Cup Cookies with Ease

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Station

Heat your oven to a cozy 350°F. Grab a mini muffin tin and give it a light spray of cooking oil or line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.

Step 2: Create the Cookie Dough

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Unsalted butter
• Large egg
• Vanilla extract
• Baking soda
• Salt

In a spacious mixing bowl, cream together the butter and both sugars until they become light and fluffy. Crack in the egg and splash of vanilla, mixing until everything is beautifully combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms.

Step 3: Shape the Cookie Bases

Scoop small portions of dough and roll them into bite-sized balls. Gently place each ball into the prepared muffin tin cavities, pressing them slightly to create a cup shape.

Step 4: Bake the Cookie Shells

Slide the muffin tin into the preheated oven. Bake for about 10-12 minutes until the edges turn a lovely golden brown. The centers should look slightly soft but will firm up as they cool.

Step 5: Add Peanut Butter Cups

• Miniature peanut butter cups

Once the cookies are out of the oven, immediately press a peanut butter cup into the center of each warm cookie. The residual heat will help the chocolate melt slightly, creating a delicious gooey center.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest in the tin for a few minutes to set. Carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Watch them disappear quickly once friends and family get a taste!

Handy Tips for Peanut Butter Cookie Perfection

• Perfectly Portion Dough Balls: Use a small cookie scoop to create uniform cookie sizes, ensuring even baking and consistent appearance every time.
• Chill Before Baking: Refrigerate cookie dough for 15-20 minutes to prevent spreading and maintain a perfect round shape during baking.
• Choose Quality Peanut Butter: Select creamy, smooth peanut butter without added oils for the best texture and richest flavor in your cookies.
• Swap for Dietary Needs: Replace regular peanut butter with almond or sunflower seed butter for nut-free alternatives that work equally well.
• Cool Completely Before Handling: Let cookies rest in the pan for 5 minutes after baking, then transfer to a wire rack to prevent breaking and allow proper setting.

Keep Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Fresh and Tasty

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Place wax paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay fresh for 2-3 months.
• Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying.
• Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a preheated 300F oven for 3-4 minutes to restore their soft, fresh-baked texture.

What to Pair with Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

• A full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon complements the rich chocolate and peanut butter flavors, cutting through the sweetness while enhancing the cookie's decadent profile.
• The smooth espresso and vanilla notes create a harmonious balance with the cookie's sweet and nutty characteristics, offering a delightful mid-afternoon treat.
• Classic whole milk provides a cool, refreshing counterpoint to the warm, rich cookie, bringing out the peanut butter's creamy texture and chocolate's deep undertones.
• A salted caramel hot chocolate or frappe mirrors the cookie's sweet-salty elements, creating a luxurious flavor experience that intensifies the dessert's complexity.

New Twists on Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and use certified gluten-free chocolate peanut butter cups for celiac or gluten-sensitive bakers.
• Vegan Alternative: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use egg replacer or mashed banana, and select dairy-free chocolate peanut butter cups from plant-based brands like Unreal or Justin's.
• Low-Sugar Option: Swap regular sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and choose dark chocolate peanut butter cups with higher cocoa percentage and lower sugar content.
• Keto-Friendly Adaptation: Use almond flour instead of wheat flour, replace sugar with erythritol, and select sugar-free peanut butter cups or create homemade keto chocolate cups using sugar-free chocolate and natural peanut butter.

Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Questions Answered

• Can I use natural peanut butter instead of regular peanut butter?

Natural peanut butter can work, but it might make the cookie dough slightly more crumbly. Stir the natural peanut butter well and consider adding an extra tablespoon of butter to help bind the ingredients.

• What if I don't have mini muffin tins?

You can use a regular baking sheet and create drop cookies instead. The texture will be slightly different, but they’ll still taste delicious. Space the cookies about 2 inches apart on the parchment-lined sheet.

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

After baking, let the cookies cool in the tin for 2-3 minutes before gently pressing the peanut butter cups into the center. The residual heat will slightly melt the chocolate without completely destroying the cup’s shape.

• Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the cookie dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. When ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before scooping and baking.

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Delightful Peanut Butter Cup Cookies blend rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter into an irresistible treat. Sweet meets savory in this simple dessert, promising pure bliss with each heavenly bite you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients (Proteins and Fats):

• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (128 grams) creamy peanut butter (Jif or Skippy works best!)
• 1 large egg

Sweeteners:

• ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (110 grams) brown sugar, packed

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 24 mini Reeses peanut butter cups, unwrapped

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a moderate temperature, preparing it for delectable cookie creation.
2. Prepare a mini muffin tin with a light coating of cooking spray, ensuring effortless cookie removal.
3. Cream together softened butter and sugars until the mixture transforms into a light, fluffy consistency.
4. Incorporate eggs and vanilla extract, blending until the ingredients harmonize smoothly.
5. Gently fold in flour, salt, and baking soda, stirring until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
6. Roll the cookie dough into small, uniform spheres and nestle each one into the prepared mini muffin cavities.
7. Bake the cookie bases until the edges turn a delicate golden brown, indicating their readiness.
8. Immediately after removing from the oven, create gentle indentations in each warm cookie using the back of a spoon.
9. Allow the cookies to cool briefly in the tin, allowing them to set and firm up slightly.
10. Carefully transfer the cookie shells to a cooling rack to prevent continued baking.
11. Unwrap peanut butter cups and press one into the center of each cooled cookie shell.
12. Let the cookies rest until the chocolate softens and melds seamlessly with the cookie base.
13. Serve these indulgent treats at room temperature, revealing their irresistible peanut butter and chocolate harmony.

Notes

• Swap regular peanut butter for natural or almond butter to create a unique flavor profile and cater to different dietary preferences.
• Freeze unwrapped peanut butter cups for 15 minutes before placing them into cookie dough to prevent melting and maintain their shape during baking.
• Use gluten-free flour blend if you want a celiac-friendly version of these delightful cookies, ensuring everyone can enjoy this sweet treat.
• Consider using dark chocolate peanut butter cups for a slightly less sweet and more intense chocolate experience that adults might appreciate.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 160
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg