If you’ve ever dreamed of a cookie that perfectly marries rich, creamy peanut butter with the delightful surprise of a melt-in-your-mouth chocolate center, then you’re going to love this Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe. This treat combines the classic flavors you adore in a peanut butter cup into a soft, chewy cookie that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just craving a personal sweet escape, these cookies bring joy in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple, pantry-friendly, and utterly essential, these ingredients come together to create the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Each component plays a crucial role, from the creamy peanut butter adding moisture and depth, to the brown sugar lending just the right hint of caramel warmth.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Provides richness and tender texture to your cookies.
- Creamy peanut butter (1/2 cup): The star ingredient that delivers that classic peanut buttery goodness.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Adds sweetness and helps create a delightful crisp edge.
- Brown sugar (1/2 cup, packed): Keeps the cookies chewy and adds a subtle molasses flavor.
- Large egg (1): Binds ingredients together while contributing to the cookie’s soft crumb.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the overall aroma and flavor depth.
- All-purpose flour (1 1/4 cups): Forms the structure of your cookies, ensuring they hold their shape.
- Baking soda (3/4 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise lightly, giving them that perfect tender fluff.
- Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Assists in leavening for balanced texture.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Offsets sweetness and enhances every flavor note.
- Mini peanut butter cups (24, unwrapped): The irresistible chocolate-peanut butter center that makes these cookies unforgettable.
How to Make Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Tin
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This sets the stage for perfectly baked cookies. Grease a mini muffin tin or line it with paper liners to prevent sticking and keep cleanup simple.
Step 2: Cream the Butters and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until your mixture looks light and fluffy—about 2 to 3 minutes. This step is crucial for incorporating air, which ensures a tender cookie texture. Next, add your egg and vanilla extract and continue mixing until everything is smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This helps distribute your leavening agents evenly so your cookies bake up uniformly. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until fully incorporated. Overmixing can toughen your cookies, so mix with care.
Step 4: Shape and Bake the Cookies
Using a tablespoon, scoop and roll the dough into balls. Place each dough ball into the greased mini muffin tin, giving them a little space to spread. Pop the tin into your preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges turn a lovely light golden color and the tops are set but still soft to the touch.
Step 5: Add the Peanut Butter Cup Center
The moment that makes these cookies truly special happens right out of the oven. While the cookies are still warm in the tin, press one mini peanut butter cup gently but firmly into the center of each cookie. This ensures the chocolate melts just enough to hug the peanut butter but keeps its shape. Let the cookies cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Want to elevate your Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe even more? Try sprinkling a little flaky sea salt atop the mini peanut butter cups once pressed into the warm cookies. It adds a sophisticated saltiness that perfectly balances the sweet chocolate and peanut butter. Alternatively, a light dusting of powdered sugar can give the cookies a charming, delicate finish.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, classic and comforting. For a fun twist, serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream for an irresistible dessert combo. They’re also fantastic with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, making snack time feel like a cozy, indulgent treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Looking to impress guests? Arrange your peanut butter cup cookies on a decorative platter lined with parchment paper or doilies. Wrap individual cookies in clear cellophane tied with a festive ribbon for cute party favors. You can even sandwich two cookies together with a dab of peanut butter or chocolate ganache for a decadent twist that everyone will rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe fresh by placing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and delicious for up to 3 days, making them perfect for spontaneous cravings or sharing throughout the week.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze these cookies if you want to savor them later. Freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag once solid. They keep well for up to 3 months and thaw beautifully at room temperature when you’re ready.
Reheating
To bring your Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe back to fresh-from-the-oven warmth, simply microwave a cookie for about 10 to 15 seconds. The chocolate center will soften up gorgeously, delivering that melty, gooey delight all over again.
FAQs
Can I use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy?
Yes! Chunky peanut butter adds a wonderful texture with little peanut bits that make each bite extra interesting. Just be sure to mix it well with the butter for an even dough.
Are mini peanut butter cups necessary, or can I use regular-sized ones?
Mini peanut butter cups are ideal because they fit perfectly atop each cookie and melt evenly. If you only have regular-sized cups, you could quarter them, but expect a messier result and longer melting times.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely. Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Make sure your baking powder and other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
How do I prevent cookies from spreading too much in the oven?
Ensure your butter is softened but not melted before mixing. Chilling the dough briefly before baking can also help the cookies hold their shape better.
Can I double this Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe for a bigger batch?
Definitely! Just double all ingredients and bake in multiple batches or use additional muffin tins. The recipe scales well without losing its magic.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about the way chocolate and peanut butter come together in these Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe treats. They’re simple to make, irresistibly delicious, and guaranteed to bring smiles to anyone lucky enough to get a taste. So grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to make some memories – with cookies that feel like a warm hug in every bite.
Print
Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these rich and chewy Peanut Butter Cup Cookies featuring a soft peanut butter cookie base topped with a mini peanut butter cup. Perfectly balanced with a mix of creamy peanut butter and buttery sweetness, these cookies bake up golden and delicious, making them ideal for any peanut butter lover seeking a quick and easy treat.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (125g) creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (110g) brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups (160g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 24 mini peanut butter cups, unwrapped (Reese’s recommended)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a mini muffin tin or line it with paper liners to prevent sticking during baking.
- Cream wet ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until the dough is fully combined with no streaks of flour.
- Shape and bake: Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. Place each dough ball into the prepared mini muffin tin. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookie edges appear lightly golden and the tops are just set.
- Add peanut butter cups and cool: Remove the muffin tin from the oven and while the cookies are still warm, immediately press one mini peanut butter cup into the center of each cookie. Let the cookies cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened, not melted, for best creaming results.
- Using mini muffin tins helps keep the cookies uniform in size and shape.
- Do not overbake to keep cookies soft and chewy.
- Press the peanut butter cups in while cookies are warm so they adhere well.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
