Sweet Holiday Magic: Festive Peanut Butter Cup Christmas Cookies Recipe

Chocolate and peanut butter collide in these delightful peanut butter cup Christmas cookies that will steal the show at any holiday gathering.

Reese’s candy adds a playful twist to the classic cookie recipe.

Soft, chewy edges give way to a rich, decadent center studded with melted chocolate pieces.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors.

The festive sprinkles bring a pop of color that makes these cookies as beautiful as they are delicious.

You’ll love how easily these treats come together with minimal effort.

Serve these crowd-pleasing cookies and watch them disappear in minutes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 160 kcal

Servings: 24

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Cup Holiday Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and tender crumb for classic cookie texture.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and creates soft, light texture with gentle browning.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness of the cookies.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Deliver rich sweetness and help create soft, chewy cookie texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich flavor and helps cookies spread perfectly while adding moisture.
• Peanut Butter: Adds deep nutty flavor and creamy consistency to the cookie base.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, aromatic undertone that complements peanut butter.

• Egg: Binds ingredients together and provides structure to the cookie dough.
• Mini Reeses Peanut Butter Cups: Delivers delightful chocolate-peanut butter burst in center.
• White Chocolate: Optional decorative element for festive holiday presentation.
• Holiday Sprinkles: Adds playful, colorful touch for seasonal celebration.

Kitchen Gear for Christmas Cookie Success

• Mini Muffin Tin: Essential for creating perfectly shaped cookie cups.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining butter, peanut butter, and sugars until fluffy.
• Separate Small Bowl: Needed for whisking dry ingredients separately.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: Crucial for beating ingredients smoothly and creating light texture.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Cookie Scoop or Spoon: Helps create uniform 1-inch dough balls.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly after baking.
• Optional Piping Bag or Spoon: Useful for drizzling white chocolate decorations.

How to Bake Peanut Butter Cup Cookies with Ease

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 375F and prep a mini muffin tin with a light greasing or paper liners.

• Whip Up the Cookie Base

Grab a mixing bowl and blend butter, peanut butter, and sugars until they’re super fluffy and dreamy. Toss in the egg and vanilla, mixing until everything looks smooth and happy.

• Create the Dough

In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly fold these dry ingredients into your wet mixture, stirring until a soft, delightful dough comes together.

• Shape and Nestle

Roll the dough into adorable little balls and gently place each one into the muffin tin cups.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Pop the tin in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden color.

• Crown with Peanut Butter Cups

Right after pulling the cookies from the oven, press a mini Reeses peanut butter cup into the center of each warm cookie. Don’t worry if the edges crack – that’s part of their charm!

• Cool and Celebrate

Let the cookies rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. For extra holiday flair, drizzle with white chocolate or sprinkle with festive decorations.

Flavor Ideas for Holiday Cookie Magic

• Quick Tips for Irresistible Cookies
• Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, even blending without lumps.
• If the dough feels too sticky, refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to make rolling easier and prevent spreading during baking.
• Unwrap peanut butter cups beforehand and keep them at room temperature to help them melt slightly and sink perfectly into warm cookies.
• Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to make these cookies suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Replace butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and choose dairy-free chocolate peanut butter cups for a plant-based friendly treat.

Serving Suggestions for Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

• Holiday Party Platter: Arrange cookies on a festive Christmas tray with small holiday-themed decorations, creating a delightful dessert centerpiece that catches everyone's eye.
• Gifting Cookie Charm: Package these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbons, making perfect homemade Christmas gifts for neighbors, teachers, or family friends.
• Cocoa Pairing Perfection: Serve warm cookies alongside rich hot chocolate or creamy eggnog, creating a cozy seasonal treat that brings instant comfort and joy to anyone enjoying them.
• Dessert Table Showstopper: Display cookies on a tiered dessert stand with other holiday sweets, allowing the mini peanut butter cups to shine as a delectable focal point of your festive spread.

Save and Store Your Holiday Cookie Batch

• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for quick enjoyment.
• Cookies with chocolate may stay fresh longer when stored in the refrigerator, maintaining their delightful texture and flavor for extended periods.
• Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for 2-3 days before baking. This technique enhances flavor development and makes holiday baking more convenient.

FAQs

• How do I prevent the cookies from sticking to the pan?

Use a non-stick mini muffin tin or generously grease the pan with butter or cooking spray. Alternatively, line each cup with paper liners for easy removal.

• Can I use natural peanut butter for this recipe?

Stick with traditional creamy peanut butter like Jif or Skippy. Natural peanut butter has different oil content and might make the cookies too dry or spread differently.

• What if my dough seems too soft or sticky?

Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before rolling into balls. This helps the dough firm up and makes it easier to shape the cookies.

• Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking. Alternatively, baked cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.

Festive Peanut Butter Cup Christmas Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Festive peanut butter cup Christmas cookies blend rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter in a holiday classic. Delightful morsels bring sweet cheer to seasonal gatherings and spread joy with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ cup (113 g) creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (110 g) brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 36 mini Reeses peanut butter cups, unwrapped

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Instructions

1. Prepare Workspace: Ignite the oven to 375F (190C) and position a mini muffin tin with paper liners or light grease to prevent sticking.
2. Craft Butter Mixture: Vigorously cream butter, peanut butter, and sugars until achieving a fluffy, light consistency that resembles soft clouds.
3. Develop Cookie Foundation: Blend egg and vanilla extract into the creamy mixture, ensuring complete and smooth incorporation, then gently fold in flour, baking soda, and salt to form a tender dough.
4. Shape Cookies: Mold uniform dough balls approximately one inch in diameter, carefully positioning each into the mini muffin tin compartments.
5. Bake to Perfection: Slide the tin into the preheated oven, baking for 8-10 minutes until edges turn delicately golden, signaling optimal doneness.
6. Embellish and Cool: Immediately after removing from oven, press a mini Reeses peanut butter cup into the center of each warm cookie, allowing slight surface cracking, then rest cookies in the tin for ten minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
7. Optional Decoration: Elevate the festive presentation by drizzling melted white chocolate or sprinkling holiday-themed decorative elements for enhanced visual appeal.

Notes

• Control Butter Temperature: Ensure butter is softened but not melted to maintain ideal cookie texture and prevent spreading during baking.
• Perfect Dough Consistency: Mix wet and dry ingredients just until combined, avoiding overmixing to keep cookies tender and prevent toughness.
• Precise Baking Timing: Watch cookies closely during 8-10 minute window, removing when edges turn golden to prevent overcooking and maintain soft center.
• Chocolate Placement Technique: Press Reese’s cups immediately after baking while cookies are warm, allowing gentle indentation without breaking the delicate cookie structure.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 202
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 96 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 18 mg