These Peanut Butter Cup Cookies bring together two classic flavors—rich, creamy peanut butter and decadent chocolate—in a single, delightful bite. Soft and chewy, each cookie has a smooth peanut butter base with a surprise chocolate center that melts in your mouth. Perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or just a special treat for yourself, these cookies are easy to make and impossible to resist. The recipe yields enough for a crowd, making them ideal for sharing, or enjoy them all on your own! They’re guaranteed to satisfy both chocolate and peanut butter cravings in one bite.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 40 miniature chocolate-covered peanut butter cups, unwrapped
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix together flour, salt, and baking soda.
- In a large bowl, beat together butter, white sugar, brown sugar, and peanut butter until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and milk to the butter mixture and beat well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just blended.
- Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place each ball into the cups of a mini muffin tin.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes or until the cookies are lightly browned.
- Remove from oven and immediately press a peanut butter cup into the center of each cookie. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully remove and let cool completely on a wire rack.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 85 kcal per cookie | Servings: 40 cookies
History and Popularity of Peanut Butter and Chocolate
The combination of peanut butter and chocolate is one that has been around for nearly a century and remains as popular as ever. Invented by Harry Burnett Reese in the 1920s with the creation of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, this pairing quickly became a sensation. Reese’s cups gained a cult following, and soon people began incorporating peanut butter cups into baked goods to replicate the beloved flavor duo in cookies, cakes, and brownies. The combination of these ingredients brings a balance of sweet, salty, and slightly bitter notes that appeal to the senses in a way few other pairings can.
In the mid-20th century, peanut butter cup cookies were born as a way to elevate traditional peanut butter cookies with an extra chocolatey kick. Many people started baking these cookies as holiday treats, for bake sales, or simply as a fun family activity. They quickly became a staple in home kitchens across America.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
This Peanut Butter Cup Cookie recipe is the perfect balance of simplicity and indulgence. Here’s what makes it truly exceptional:
- Texture: The cookies are soft and slightly chewy, which is enhanced by the richness of peanut butter. Adding the peanut butter cup in the center of each cookie brings an extra creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture that creates a delightful contrast with the cookie itself.
- Flavor: The natural nuttiness of the peanut butter complements the sweetness of the chocolate perfectly. When baked, peanut butter releases its oils, making the cookies tender while enriching them with a subtle roasted flavor. Adding a Reese’s cup or similar peanut butter cup as a topping introduces a layer of sweetness that enhances the flavor without overpowering it.
- Easy Preparation: Unlike many cookie recipes that involve complex steps or multiple types of chocolate, this recipe requires only a handful of ingredients and is easy to follow. It’s approachable even for beginner bakers and doesn’t require any special tools beyond a mini muffin pan.
- Perfect for Sharing: This recipe yields about 40 cookies, which makes it perfect for gatherings, holiday parties, bake sales, or potluck events. You can easily double the recipe if you’re baking for a larger crowd, making it a flexible and shareable treat.
Nutritional Benefits of Peanut Butter
While these cookies are certainly a treat, they also contain a few nutritional benefits thanks to peanut butter. Peanut butter is a rich source of protein, healthy fats, and various vitamins and minerals. Here are some key benefits:
- Healthy Fats: Peanut butter contains monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are known to support heart health by lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) levels.
- Protein: Each serving of peanut butter packs a good amount of protein, which helps keep you full and satisfied, making these cookies more than just an empty-calorie dessert.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Peanut butter is a source of vitamins such as B6 and E, as well as essential minerals like magnesium and potassium. These nutrients support energy metabolism, muscle function, and immune health.
When enjoyed in moderation, these cookies provide a way to indulge in something sweet without feeling completely guilty.
Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
To get the most out of this recipe, here are some tips that can help ensure the best results every time:
- Use Creamy Peanut Butter: For the smoothest texture, opt for creamy peanut butter rather than chunky, as it helps create a soft and cohesive dough.
- Work with Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and egg are at room temperature before you begin. This allows them to blend better, resulting in a smoother cookie dough.
- Press the Peanut Butter Cups Quickly: For the best presentation and to avoid melting, gently press a peanut butter cup into each cookie immediately after removing the pan from the oven. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes in the pan before transferring them to a wire rack.
- Store Properly: These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. To extend their freshness, consider freezing them in single layers separated by parchment paper, and thaw them at room temperature as needed.
Variations to Try
If you’re feeling adventurous, here are some ways to switch up this classic recipe:
- Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups: For a richer, less sweet taste, try using dark chocolate peanut butter cups instead of the standard milk chocolate ones. This adds a deeper cocoa flavor that balances the sweetness.
- Add a Sprinkle of Sea Salt: Once you press the peanut butter cups into the cookies, sprinkle a bit of flaky sea salt on top. The hint of salt brings out the flavor of the chocolate and adds a nice contrast.
- Try Different Nut Butters: Substitute the peanut butter in the recipe with almond or cashew butter for a new twist on flavor. Just make sure to choose creamy varieties for consistency.
- Add Mini Chocolate Chips: For an extra chocolatey cookie, add a handful of mini chocolate chips to the dough before shaping it into balls.
Serving Ideas and Pairings
These Peanut Butter Cup Cookies are a versatile dessert that can be enjoyed on their own or paired with other treats. Here are some serving suggestions:
- As Part of a Cookie Platter: Include these cookies on a dessert platter with an assortment of other cookies, like oatmeal raisin, sugar cookies, or chocolate chip cookies.
- With a Glass of Milk or Hot Cocoa: Serve these cookies with a cold glass of milk or a cup of hot cocoa for a classic and comforting combination.
- With Ice Cream: For a special treat, serve these cookies with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream. The warm cookies and cold ice cream create a delightful texture contrast.
Conclusion
Peanut Butter Cup Cookies are the kind of recipe that never goes out of style. They bring together the nostalgic flavor of peanut butter with a chocolate twist that makes them hard to resist. Their ease of preparation, delicious taste, and crowd-pleasing nature make them a must-have for any cookie lover’s recipe collection. Whether you’re baking for a special event, holiday gathering, or just to treat yourself, these cookies are bound to bring smiles to everyone who tries them.
Print
Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Description
These Peanut Butter Cup Cookies bring together two classic flavors—rich, creamy peanut butter and decadent chocolate—in a single, delightful bite. Soft and chewy, each cookie has a smooth peanut butter base with a surprise chocolate center that melts in your mouth. Perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or just a special treat for yourself, these cookies are easy to make and impossible to resist. The recipe yields enough for a crowd, making them ideal for sharing, or enjoy them all on your own! They’re guaranteed to satisfy both chocolate and peanut butter cravings in one bite.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 40 miniature chocolate-covered peanut butter cups, unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix together flour, salt, and baking soda.
- In a large bowl, beat together butter, white sugar, brown sugar, and peanut butter until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and milk to the butter mixture and beat well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just blended.
- Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place each ball into the cups of a mini muffin tin.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes or until the cookies are lightly browned.
- Remove from oven and immediately press a peanut butter cup into the center of each cookie. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully remove and let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
