Peanut Butter Cookie Cups Recipe

There’s something so satisfying about a bite that combines soft cookie goodness with melty peanut butter surprise inside. This Peanut Butter Cookie Cups Recipe is just that—fun, delicious, and surprisingly easy to make at home. It’s the kind of treat that instantly elevates snack time or a casual gathering.

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Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients & Why They Work
• Make It Your Way
• Step-by-Step: How I Make Peanut Butter Cookie Cups Recipe
• Top Tip
• How to Serve Peanut Butter Cookie Cups Recipe
• Make Ahead and Storage
• Frequently Asked Questions:
• Final Thoughts
• Peanut Butter Cookie Cups Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Peanut Butter Cookie Cups Recipe uses classic pantry staples that harmonize beautifully. The peanut butter adds richness and depth, while the sugars balance sweetness and promote browning. The peanut butter cups become the crown jewel, melting into the center as the cookies bake.

• Peanut Butter Cups: Using good-quality candy cups makes all the difference since they melt just right inside the dough.
• Butter (softened): Opt for unsalted for better control over saltiness; softened butter creamily binds the dough.
• Sugar (granulated) & Brown Sugar: The mix creates a chewy texture and adds a slight caramel note.
• Peanut Butter: Natural or classic, this boosts peanut flavor and moisture in the dough.
• Egg: Adds structure and helps bind ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the warm flavors and rounds out the sweetness.
• Flour: The backbone that gives the cookie structure; sift to avoid lumps.
• Baking Soda: Provides light rise and tender crumb.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies flavor.

Make It Your Way

What I love most about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. I often tweak the baking time slightly or add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top to punch up flavors. You'll find your favorite way in no time.

• Variation: I sometimes swap the peanut butter cups for chocolate truffles or caramel candies for a different spin. It’s always a hit!
• Dietary Modifications: Using gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose works surprisingly well, just be mindful of texture changes.
• Difficulty Levels: If you’re short on time, grab a refrigerated peanut butter cookie dough as a shortcut—I’ve tried it and it’s great for busy days.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Peanut Butter Cookie Cups Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Ready the Mini Muffin Pan

First, I preheat my oven to 350°F and give my mini muffin pan a light coat of cooking spray. This step is crucial to avoid stickiness later—trust me, scraping cookie dough out of tin cups is no fun. Also, unwrap all your peanut butter cups ahead of time because you’ll want them ready and chilled when the cookies come out of the oven.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars Until Light and Fluffy

Next, I use my stand mixer or a sturdy bowl and hand mixer to cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes until the mixture is light in color and fluffy. This step helps with texture and sweetness distribution.

Step 3: Mix in Peanut Butter, Egg, and Vanilla

Once the butter and sugars are looking perfect, I add the peanut butter, then crack in an egg and pour in the vanilla extract. I mix everything just until combined—don’t overwork the dough here or your cookies might turn out tough.

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

I sift together flour, baking soda, and salt separately to avoid lumps, then add it gradually into the wet mixture. I mix just until the dough comes together—you want a soft dough that’s easy to roll but not too sticky. If it’s tacky, a couple of extra tablespoons of flour usually does the trick.

Step 5: Shape Dough and Bake

Roll the cookie dough into 1-inch balls and place each into the mini muffin cups, gently pressing the dough down. I bake them for 8 to 10 minutes or just until the edges turn a pale golden color. This timing is the sweet spot where cookies stay soft yet firm enough to hold the candy topping.

Step 6: Add Peanut Butter Cups and Cool Completely

Right as the cookies come out of the oven, I press one peanut butter cup into the center of each warm cookie. The warmth slightly melts the candy’s edges, creating a lovely fusion. I always let these cool completely in the pan before attempting to remove them; patience really pays off here.

How to Serve Peanut Butter Cookie Cups Recipe

Garnishes

I love adding a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of each peanut butter cup right after baking—it really balances the sweetness. Sometimes, a light dusting of powdered sugar or even a drizzle of melted chocolate amps up the presentation and flavor for special occasions.

Side Dishes

These cookie cups pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk (classic for a reason!) or a cup of coffee or tea. I’ve also served them alongside vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert combo that’s always met with smiles.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like arranging these peanut butter cookie cups in a tiered serving stand or wrapping a batch in parchment paper tied with twine for gifting. They also make a cute edible centerpiece when stacked in a glass jar lined with colorful parchment.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge if my kitchen is warm. They stay fresh and soft for about 3-4 days—perfect if you want to bake in advance for a party.

Freezing

Freezing works well if you want to keep these longer. Place the cookie cups in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll last up to 3 months and thaw quickly at room temp.

Reheating

To warm them up, I pop a few in the microwave for 10-15 seconds—just enough to softly warm the peanut butter cup inside without melting the cookie too much. Alternatively, a quick oven reheat at 300°F for 5 minutes revives that fresh-baked feel.

Final Thoughts

This Peanut Butter Cookie Cups Recipe has become one of my go-to crowd-pleasers. It's one of those recipes that looks impressive but feels cozy and approachable, perfect for making memories with friends and family. I hope you enjoy baking and sharing these as much as I do—it’s like a warm, peanut buttery hug in every bite!

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