If you’re looking to impress at your next gathering or simply treat yourself, this Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe is your golden ticket! Imagine a soft, buttery cookie cradling a gooey, chocolatey mini peanut butter cup in its center—each bite is pure joy. This recipe is a long-standing favorite in my kitchen because it hits all the right notes: sweet, salty, creamy, and just a little bit chewy. Whether you’re celebrating, gifting, or late-night baking, these cookies will turn even an ordinary moment into something extra special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love most about the Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe is how each simple ingredient comes together to make a cookie that’s just irresistible. Every component has a specific role to play, from the creaminess of the peanut butter to the classic sweetness of brown sugar. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Ensures the cookies are rich and moist with a tender crumb.
- Creamy peanut butter (1/2 cup): The star of the show, for that signature nutty flavor and soft texture.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Adds the perfect touch of sweetness and helps crisp the cookie edges.
- Brown sugar (1/2 cup, packed): Brings chewiness and a deeper caramel note to each bite.
- Large egg (1): Binds everything together and adds structure to the dough.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Gives the dough a lovely warmth and rounds out the flavors.
- All-purpose flour (1 1/4 cups): Forms the cookie base and creates a sturdy pocket for the candy.
- Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise so they cradle each peanut butter cup perfectly.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and highlights all the flavors.
- Mini peanut butter cups (24, unwrapped): The glorious center of every cookie, adding melty chocolate-peanut bliss.
How to Make Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Equipment
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a mini muffin tin or line it with paper liners. This step guarantees your cookies won’t stick, making it easy to pop them out later—and it sets the stage for those iconic cookie cups everyone loves.
Step 2: Cream the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. You’ll want to mix until the texture is light and fluffy—this aerates the dough, giving your cookies that classic melt-in-your-mouth appeal.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Beat until everything is thoroughly combined. These add moisture and help infuse that classic, home-baked aroma into your Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe.
Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to your wet ingredients, stirring just until no dry flour remains. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so gentle hands here!
Step 5: Form and Bake the Cookie Cups
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and drop each one into the prepared mini muffin tin cups. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the tops are just set and lightly golden. These cookies should look puffy, not brown—so keep an eye out!
Step 6: Add the Peanut Butter Cups
Here’s the fun part! Right after you pull the cookies from the oven, gently press one mini peanut butter cup into the center of each warm cookie. The heat melts the chocolate slightly, creating an irresistible gooey center.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool in the tin for about 10 minutes so they firm up. Afterward, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is crucial for the flavors to settle and the centers to set just right. Your Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe is ready for the cookie jar—or your next celebration!
How to Serve Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra flourish, sprinkle a few flakes of sea salt on top just before serving—this instantly makes the chocolate pop! You can even dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a thin zigzag of melted peanut butter for a bakery-style finish.
Side Dishes
These cookies shine with a cold glass of milk, but they also pair beautifully with coffee, hot cocoa, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Place them alongside a platter of fresh berries for a lovely balance of flavors and colors.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack them high on a tiered dessert tray or arrange them in decorative cupcake wrappers for parties. For gift-giving, tuck a few cookies into cellophane bags tied with ribbon—you’ll spread joy with each delicious bite of this Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (which is a big “if”!), keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They’ll stay soft and flavorful, and that chocolate center remains melt-in-your-mouth good.
Freezing
These freeze like a dream! Once baked and completely cooled, layer the cookies in a freezer-safe container with parchment between the layers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and they’ll taste bakery-fresh.
Reheating
To revive that “just-baked” feel, pop a cookie in the microwave for 7 to 10 seconds. The chocolate center softens up perfectly, making each bite as decadent as the day they were made.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter gives a pop of texture and extra nutty flavor, though the cookies may not be quite as soft. Both versions are delicious, so use whichever you have on hand for your Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe.
What if I don’t have a mini muffin tin?
You can shape the dough into regular cookie balls and bake on a lined cookie sheet. As soon as they come out, gently press the peanut butter cup into the center. They’ll spread more, but the taste is just as incredible.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the dough and refrigerate up to 2 days in advance. Simply let the dough come to room temperature before rolling and baking for the best results.
How do I prevent the cookies from sticking to the pan?
Either use paper liners in your mini muffin tin or lightly grease each cup. Letting cookies cool in the pan also helps them firm up, so they release easily without losing their shape.
Are there any fun variations?
Definitely! Try rolling the dough balls in granulated sugar before baking for a sweet crust, or experiment with dark chocolate peanut butter cups for a richer twist. A sprinkle of chopped peanuts or mini chocolate chips on top adds even more pizzazz to this Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe!
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason so many bakers (myself included!) fall for this Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe every single time—it’s outrageously delicious, joyfully simple, and sure to win hearts. Go ahead and bake a batch soon; just be ready for them to disappear faster than you’d ever expect!
Print
Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these delectable Peanut Butter Cup Cookies that combine the classic flavors of peanut butter and chocolate in a delightful and easy-to-make treat.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Topping:
- 24 mini peanut butter cups, unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a mini muffin tin with liners or greasing.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla extract; mix well.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until just combined.
- Form cookies: Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place in muffin tin. Bake for 10-12 minutes until set.
- Add topping: Immediately press a mini peanut butter cup into each cookie. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely.
Notes
- These cookies freeze well once baked and cooled.
- For added texture, roll dough balls in granulated sugar before baking.
- Dark chocolate peanut butter cups can be used for a richer flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
