Why Make This Recipe
Peanut Butter Cup Cookies are a delightful combination of two beloved treats: cookies and peanut butter cups. If you love the rich and creamy flavor of peanut butter, combined with the smooth chocolate of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, this recipe is perfect for you. These cookies are not only easy to make but also a hit among family and friends. They work wonderfully for any occasion, from holiday gatherings to simple weeknight desserts. With their perfectly chewy texture and gooey peanut butter filling, Peanut Butter Cup Cookies will satisfy your sweet tooth in the best way.
How to Make Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
Making Peanut Butter Cup Cookies is a simple and enjoyable process. Follow these steps to create batches of delicious cookies that will impress everyone.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 24–30 pieces Miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, unwrapped
Directions
Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial as it ensures even baking of the cookies. Also, line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
Cream the Butters and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, add the softened unsalted butter and creamy peanut butter. Then add the granulated sugar and packed light brown sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat these ingredients together on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Creaming incorporates air into the mixture, giving the cookies a nice texture.
Add the Egg and Vanilla: Once the butter and sugars are fluffy, add the large egg and 1 tsp of vanilla extract to the bowl. Beat these ingredients into the mixture until they are smooth and fully combined. The egg helps bind the ingredients and adds moisture.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients while mixing at low speed. Mix just until combined, being careful not to overmix. Overmixing can lead to tougher cookies, which is not what we want.
Form the Cookie Dough: Take about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball shape, roughly 1 inch in diameter. Place each dough ball about 2 inches apart on the lined baking sheets to allow room for spreading.
Bake the Cookies: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. Keep an eye on the cookies so that the edges turn lightly golden, while the centers remain slightly soft. The cookies will continue to cook a little after you take them out.
Add the Peanut Butter Cups: As soon as you remove the cookies from the oven, gently press a Miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup into the center of each cookie. This step adds a delicious melt-in-your-mouth chocolate and peanut butter surprise to every bite.
Cool the Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes to set slightly. After 10 minutes, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling on the wire rack helps maintain their texture.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
Peanut Butter Cup Cookies are delicious on their own, but there are several fun ways to serve them. You can present them as part of a dessert platter alongside other cookies and treats. They also pair wonderfully with a glass of milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream; just imagine the cookie melting into the ice cream with each bite. For a fun twist, you can also serve them as an after-school snack with some fresh fruit.
How to Store Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
Storing your Peanut Butter Cup Cookies is easy. Once they have cooled completely, place them in an airtight container at room temperature. They can last for about 3-5 days. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing them.
Freezing Instructions
To freeze the cookies, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them for about an hour. Once they are frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or a resealable plastic bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, just let them thaw at room temperature.
Tips to Make Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
Softened Butter: Ensure your unsalted butter is softened properly. If you forgot to take it out ahead of time, you can quickly soften it by cutting it into smaller pieces or microwaving it for a few seconds. Just be careful not to melt it completely.
Use Room Temperature Eggs: Using eggs at room temperature helps to create a smoother batter and contributes to a better texture in your cookies.
Don’t Overmix the Dough: Overmixing can develop gluten in the flour, leading to tougher cookies. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
Experiment with Nut Butters: While creamy peanut butter is fantastic, you can try using almond butter or cashew butter for a different flavor.
Variations
Chocolate Chips: For an extra chocolatey flavor, consider adding a handful of chocolate chips into the dough along with the flour mix. This will make the cookies even more decadent.
Nutty Surprise: If you’re a nut lover, try adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for added texture and flavor.
Different Candies: Swap out the Miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups with other candies, like chopped Snickers or M&Ms, to create a new flavor profile.
FAQs
Can I use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy?
Yes, you can use chunky peanut butter if you prefer a little extra texture in your cookies. Just keep in mind that it might alter the overall dough consistency slightly.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
Look for lightly golden edges and a slightly soft center. The cookies will continue to cook when they are removed from the oven, so it’s okay if they look a little underbaked in the center.
Can I make the dough in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough ahead of time. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 48 hours. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before rolling into balls and baking.
Can these cookies be made gluten-free?
To make them gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Just double-check that the other ingredients, especially baking soda, are gluten-free.
By following these guidelines, you can create delicious Peanut Butter Cup Cookies that everyone will love. They are a perfect blend of chocolate and peanut butter, making them a truly irresistible treat!
Print
Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful combination of cookies and peanut butter cups, these Peanut Butter Cup Cookies are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 24–30 pieces Miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream the softened unsalted butter and creamy peanut butter with granulated and light brown sugars until light and fluffy.
- Add the large egg and vanilla extract, and beat until smooth.
- Mix the flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl, then gradually add to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Form 1-inch dough balls and place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are golden and centers are slightly soft.
- Add a Miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup to the center of each cookie immediately after baking.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: cookies, peanut butter, chocolate, dessert, easy recipe