Peanut Butter Cup Cookies are the ultimate treat for anyone who loves the irresistible combination of rich, creamy peanut butter and chocolate. These cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with the flavors of your favorite candy – the peanut butter cup! Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply craving something sweet, this recipe is a must-try. With a base of buttery cookie dough infused with peanut butter, these cookies are topped with a mini peanut butter cup, making every bite a perfect blend of sweetness, nuttiness, and chocolate goodness. The texture of these cookies is to die for – a soft center with just the right amount of crunch around the edges. The best part is how easy they are to make! With a handful of ingredients and a few simple steps, you’ll be enjoying freshly baked cookies in no time. These cookies are great for sharing at parties, packing into lunchboxes, or just enjoying as a personal indulgence. If you’ve ever had a craving for something that perfectly combines chocolate and peanut butter, this recipe is the one to satisfy it!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Irresistible Combination

The combination of peanut butter and chocolate is a classic pairing that never disappoints. The peanut butter in the dough and the mini peanut butter cups create a flavor explosion in every bite.

2. Soft and Chewy

These cookies have a soft, chewy texture that’s balanced with a slight crisp around the edges. Every bite is the perfect blend of melt-in-your-mouth goodness.

3. Quick and Easy

With just a few ingredients and minimal preparation time, these cookies are easy to make and perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without a lot of effort.

4. Perfect for Peanut Butter Lovers

If you’re a peanut butter fan, these cookies are made just for you! The peanut butter flavor shines through both in the dough and in the peanut butter cups, making them an irresistible treat.

5. Customizable

Feel free to switch up the type of peanut butter cup you use – milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate cups all work wonderfully. You can also add extra peanut butter chips for an even bigger peanut butter punch.

Ingredients

Peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
Butter
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar
Eggs
All-purpose flour
Baking soda
Salt
Vanilla extract
Mini peanut butter cups (or regular ones, cut in half)

Variations

Add Peanut Butter Chips: For an extra peanut butter flavor, you can add peanut butter chips to the dough.
Dark Chocolate Cups: Swap out the mini peanut butter cups for dark chocolate peanut butter cups for a more intense chocolate taste.
Crunchy Peanut Butter: Use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy for added texture in the cookie dough.
Reese’s Pieces: For an even more peanut-buttery twist, add some Reese’s Pieces to the dough.
Nut-Free Version: Replace the peanut butter with sunbutter or almond butter for a nut-free option that’s still delicious.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This will take about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer.

Step 3: Add Peanut Butter, Eggs, and Vanilla

Add the peanut butter, eggs, and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix until everything is well combined.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Step 5: Scoop the Dough

Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop out portions of dough. Roll them into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Step 6: Press in the Peanut Butter Cups

Gently press a mini peanut butter cup (or half a regular one) into the center of each cookie dough ball.

Step 7: Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy while they’re still warm or store for later!

Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Overmix the Dough: Overmixing the dough can result in tough cookies. Mix just until the dry ingredients are incorporated.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the butter and eggs are at room temperature before mixing. This ensures the dough comes together smoothly.
Press the Peanut Butter Cups Gently: Be careful not to press the peanut butter cups too hard into the dough to avoid them melting completely during baking.
Adjust Baking Time for Your Oven: Every oven is different, so keep an eye on the cookies as they bake. You want them to be golden brown around the edges but still soft in the middle.

How to Serve

These Peanut Butter Cup Cookies are delicious on their own, but they can also be served with a cold glass of milk, hot coffee, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat. You can also pair them with other cookies or pastries for a fun dessert platter.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. They’ll stay soft and chewy, making them the perfect grab-and-go treat.

Freezing

To freeze the dough, scoop the dough balls and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze them until solid, then transfer the dough balls to a freezer bag. You can bake the cookies straight from the freezer by adding an extra 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

To enjoy freshly warmed cookies, simply pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, or reheat them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes.

FAQs

1. Can I use regular peanut butter cups instead of mini ones?

Yes! You can use regular peanut butter cups, just cut them in half so they fit better on the cookies.

2. Can I make these cookies with natural peanut butter?

You can, but the texture might be slightly different, as natural peanut butter is often more oily and runny. If you do, you may need to adjust the amount of flour.

3. Can I use almond butter instead of peanut butter?

Yes, almond butter works as a great substitute if you’re allergic to peanuts or prefer the taste of almonds.

4. Do I need to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling is not necessary for this recipe, but it can help prevent the cookies from spreading too much if you prefer a thicker cookie.

5. Can I add chocolate chips to the dough?

Absolutely! Feel free to mix in some chocolate chips for extra chocolatey goodness.

6. How do I prevent the peanut butter cups from melting too much during baking?

Press the peanut butter cups gently into the dough so they don’t sink too deep into the cookie as it bakes.

7. Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes, you can freeze both the dough and the baked cookies for later enjoyment.

8. How long should I bake the cookies?

Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.

9. How do I make these cookies chewier?

For chewier cookies, reduce the baking time slightly and make sure not to overbake them.

10. Can I use crunchy peanut butter for the dough?

Yes, crunchy peanut butter will give the cookies a bit of extra texture, making them even more delicious.

Conclusion

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies are the perfect dessert for anyone who loves the classic pairing of peanut butter and chocolate. These cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with flavor, thanks to the combination of peanut butter in the dough and a mini peanut butter cup pressed right in the center. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just for yourself, this recipe is easy, customizable, and guaranteed to satisfy your sweet cravings. Make a batch today and enjoy these irresistible treats with friends, family, or just a glass of milk!