If you are craving a truly delightful treat that combines the creamy richness of peanut butter with the irresistible charm of chocolate, this Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies boast a perfectly tender crumb with a molten mini peanut butter cup nestled right in the center, making every bite a harmonious balance of soft, chewy, and melty goodness. Trust me, once you experience these, they’ll quickly become your go-to comfort cookie, perfect for sharing with friends or savoring all by yourself.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe lies in its simple yet carefully chosen ingredients. Each brings a unique element that contributes to the cookie’s rich flavor, tender texture, and perfect rise. Gather these pantry staples and get ready to create something truly special!
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Adds creamy richness and helps achieve a tender crumb.
- Creamy peanut butter (1/2 cup): Provides that signature nutty flavor and moist texture.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Balances sweetness and helps with cookie crispness.
- Brown sugar (1/2 cup, packed): Adds moisture and a subtle caramel depth.
- Large egg (1): Binds ingredients and lifts the dough.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors and adds warmth.
- All-purpose flour (1 1/4 cups): The backbone of the dough, giving cookies structure.
- Baking soda (3/4 teaspoon): Leavens the cookies gently, aiding in rise.
- Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Ensures a light, soft texture.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and boosts flavor complexity.
- Mini peanut butter cups (24, unwrapped): The star ingredient that gives these cookies their irresistibly gooey center.
How to Make Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preparing Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your oven is at the perfect temperature when your cookies are ready to bake. Don’t forget to gently grease a mini muffin tin or line it with paper liners — this will help your cookies come out easily without sticking!
Step 2: Creaming the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Use a mixer or sturdy spoon to cream everything together until the mixture is smooth, light, and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Then beat in the egg and vanilla extract until the batter is beautifully homogenous and aromatic.
Step 3: Mixing the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the flour, giving you perfectly baked cookies every time.
Step 4: Combining and Portioning the Dough
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined — overmixing can lead to tougher cookies, and we want tender perfection! Once the dough is ready, scoop out about 1 tablespoon per cookie and gently roll into balls. Place each dough ball into the mini muffin tin you prepared earlier, shaping them slightly if needed.
Step 5: Baking and Adding Peanut Butter Cups
Bake your cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, watching for lightly golden edges and tops that are set but still tender. The magic happens right after baking — remove the muffin tin from the oven and immediately press one mini peanut butter cup into the center of each warm cookie, allowing the chocolate to melt slightly and nestle in beautifully. Let your 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
These cookies are stunning on their own, but adding a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top right after baking enhances the sweetness and brings out the peanut butter flavor. You can also dust with a little powdered sugar for a pretty, festive touch that’s perfect for gift-giving.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a cold glass of milk or a cup of rich coffee or hot cocoa to complement their creamy, nutty essence. They make a fantastic afternoon pick-me-up or a cozy dessert to enjoy after dinner.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, arrange your Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe on a colorful platter edged with crushed peanuts or chocolate shavings. Or package a few in decorative cellophane bags tied with a ribbon to share the joy — they’re sure to be a crowd favorite, no matter how you present them!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. This keeps them soft and delicious without drying out, so you can savor a peanut butter cup treat whenever the craving hits.
Freezing
These cookies freeze wonderfully! Simply place cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months, making them a fantastic make-ahead dessert or snack option.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy a frozen cookie, let it thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. For that just-baked warmth and melty peanut butter cup, pop it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Perfection with minimal effort!
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter will add a delightful texture and slight crunch to your cookies, giving a little extra bite that some people really love.
Do I have to use mini peanut butter cups?
Mini peanut butter cups work best because they fit snugly into each cookie, but you can chop regular-sized cups into smaller pieces if needed. Just be careful not to overfill the cookies.
What if I don’t have a mini muffin tin?
No worries! You can shape the dough into standard cookie rounds on a baking sheet instead. Just remember to slightly flatten each ball and press a mini peanut butter cup on top immediately after baking.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend and make sure your baking powder and other ingredients are gluten-free. The texture should remain just as tender and tasty.
How do I avoid peanut butter cups melting too much?
Press the peanut butter cups into the cookies right after baking, while warm but not super hot, and let the cookies cool completely in the pan. This helps the cups soften just enough to meld with the cookie without losing their shape entirely.
Final Thoughts
This Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe is one of those special treats that hits every note of comfort, indulgence, and fun. Whether you’re baking for a party, a holiday, or a quiet moment at home, these cookies deliver unbeatable flavor and that wonderful peanut butter-chocolate combo we all adore. I encourage you to give the recipe a try and watch it become a cherished favorite in your kitchen too!
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
Description
Deliciously soft and chewy Peanut Butter Cup Cookies featuring a creamy peanut butter dough with a mini peanut butter cup nestled in the center of each cookie. Perfectly baked to golden edges and topped with melted peanut butter cups for a rich and indulgent treat.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 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
Dry Ingredients
- 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). Grease a mini muffin tin or line it with paper liners to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: 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. Then, beat in the egg and vanilla extract until they are fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to form a cookie dough.
- Shape and Bake Cookies: Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. Place each dough ball into the prepared mini muffin tin. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the tops are set.
- Add Peanut Butter Cups: Remove the tin from the oven and immediately press one mini peanut butter cup into the center of each warm cookie, allowing it to soften slightly and adhere.
- Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Use mini muffin tins for perfectly shaped peanut butter cup cookies.
- Press the peanut butter cups into the cookies while warm to help them melt slightly and stick.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a chocolate twist, you can drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cookies.
