Peanut Butter Cup Christmas Cookies are a festive and indulgent treat that combines the creamy richness of peanut butter with the decadence of chocolate. With their irresistible flavor and adorable holiday presentation, these cookies are perfect for cookie swaps, holiday parties, or gifting.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive and Fun: A delightful addition to your holiday cookie platter with their charming look.
- Rich and Decadent: The combination of peanut butter cookies and chocolate peanut butter cups is a match made in heaven.
- Kid-Friendly: A great recipe for getting the kids involved in baking and decorating.
- Quick and Easy: Minimal ingredients and simple steps make this a stress-free holiday treat.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Peanut butter
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Egg
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Mini peanut butter cups, unwrapped
- Optional: Sprinkles or holiday decorations
Directions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together peanut butter, sugars, and softened butter until smooth and fluffy. Add the egg and mix well.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place them in a mini muffin tin or on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden.
- Add the Peanut Butter Cups: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a mini peanut butter cup into the center of each cookie. Let the cookies cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
- Decorate: If desired, add sprinkles or holiday decorations before the chocolate sets.
- Serve: Once cooled, arrange on a festive platter and enjoy!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Variations
- Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle melted chocolate over the cookies for an extra touch of indulgence.
- Nut-Free Option: Use sunflower seed butter and nut-free chocolate cups for those with allergies.
- Holiday Colors: Add red and green sprinkles or edible glitter to make them even more festive.
- Crunchy Additions: Mix crushed pretzels or toffee bits into the dough for a crunchy twist.
- Alternative Fillings: Substitute peanut butter cups with caramel candies or chocolate truffles for variety.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze the cookies in a single layer before transferring to a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Reheating: These cookies don’t need reheating, but if desired, warm them briefly in the microwave for a gooey texture.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Yes, but it will add a slightly textured crunch to the cookies.
Do I have to use a mini muffin tin?
No, you can bake the cookies on a regular baking sheet, but using a muffin tin helps hold their shape better.
How do I prevent the chocolate from melting too much?
Press the peanut butter cups into the cookies immediately after baking and let them cool undisturbed.
Can I use homemade peanut butter cups?
Absolutely! Homemade peanut butter cups add a personal touch to the recipe.
What can I use if I don’t have mini peanut butter cups?
You can use chocolate kisses or small chocolate truffles as substitutes.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can refrigerate the dough for up to 2 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.
How do I ensure the cookies are soft?
Avoid overbaking; the cookies should still look slightly underdone when you remove them from the oven.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, simply double the ingredients while keeping the ratios the same.
Can I use natural peanut butter?
Yes, but ensure it’s well-mixed, as the oil separation can affect the dough’s consistency.
What’s the best way to transport these cookies?
Use a cookie tin or a shallow, sturdy container to keep them from shifting or breaking during transport.
Conclusion
Peanut Butter Cup Christmas Cookies are the ultimate holiday treat, combining classic flavors with a festive twist. Their rich taste, beautiful presentation, and easy preparation make them a go-to recipe for the holiday season. Perfect for sharing with friends and family, these cookies are sure to bring joy to your Christmas celebrations. Bake a batch today and indulge in holiday cheer!
Print
Peanut Butter Cup Christmas Cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Peanut Butter Cup Christmas Cookies are a festive twist on the classic treat. Soft peanut butter cookies are baked to perfection and topped with mini Reese’s cups for a decadent, chocolatey surprise. Perfect for holiday cookie trays or gifting!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) 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 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 36 mini Reese’s peanut butter cups, unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease or line a mini muffin tin with paper liners.
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Shape the Cookies:
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place each ball into a cup of the mini muffin tin.
- Bake:
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Add the Peanut Butter Cups:
- Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, press a mini Reese’s peanut butter cup into the center of each cookie. The edges of the cookies may crack slightly—that’s okay!
- Cool:
- Let the cookies cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve or Decorate (Optional):
- For a festive touch, drizzle melted white chocolate or sprinkle with holiday sprinkles.
Notes
- These cookies can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- For a nut-free version, substitute the peanut butter and Reese’s cups with sunflower seed butter and chocolate candies.
- Freeze unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes to the bake time.