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December 3, 2021 By Kathryn Donangelo 34 Comments

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

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Last Updated on December 3, 2021 by Kathryn Donangelo

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Thick and soft-baked peanut butter cookies are topped with Reese’s peanut butter cups making these a peanut butter lovers’ dream cookie. Peanut Butter Cup Cookies are easy to make and perfect for any occasion all year round. 

PIN Peanut Butter Cup Cookies to try later!

Plate of peanut butter cup cookies

Peanut butter and chocolate are the most incredible combination, ever. They get even better when they are combined in a cookie. Soft, thick, and totally irresistible, you won’t be able to have just one. Promise!

These Peanut Butter Cup Cookies are baked and then topped with a mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup that slightly melts into the center. The ooey-gooey peanut butter and chocolate Reese’s cup center is my absolute favorite.

If you’re looking for a cookie to bake for Santa this year, he would love these! 😉

Close up of peanut butter cookie

INGREDIENTS

Butter: I prefer to use unsalted so I can control the salt.

Brown sugar: adds sweetness and will make the cookies chewy.

Peanut butter: smooth peanut butter and use creamy peanut butter. Stay away from natural peanut butter or reduced-fat/low-fat. Use the good stuff for these.

Egg: used to bind the ingredients together. It’s best if the egg is at room temperature so it can blend in with the cookie dough better.

Vanilla extract: enhances and adds flavor.

All-purpose flour: whole wheat flour could also be used as a healthier alternative.

Salt: just a pinch.

Baking powder + baking soda: used as a leavening,

Reese’s mini peanut butter cups: the best part of the cookie!

Inside of peanut butter cup cookie

HOW TO MAKE PEANUT BUTTER CUP COOKIES

STEP ONE. Use an electric mixer or stand mixer to cream together the butter and sugars until light and creamy. Add in the peanut butter, egg, and vanilla. Mix until combined. 
 
STEP TWO. In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Add wet ingredients and mix just until combined and a dough has formed.
 

peanut butter cup cookie steps

STEP THREE. Place cookie dough in the refrigerator for at least two hours before baking.
 
STEP FOUR. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Roll cookies into 22 balls by using a mini ice cream scoop. Place 11 cookies on each prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes.
 
STEP FIVE. Push Reese’s cups in the center of each cookie, pressing gently. Let them sit for another five minutes before removing them to the cooling rack. Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Cookies on baking sheet

RECIPE VARIATIONS

  • Drizzle melted dark or milk chocolate on top of the cookies to add even more chocolate to the cookies.
  • Switch the candies up! Instead of topping these peanut butter cookies with a mini Reese’s add a Rolo, Hershey’s Kiss, Reese’s pieces, or any of your favorite chocolate candy pieces on top.
  • Add sprinkles to the tops for themed occasions or holidays. 
  • Add mini chocolate chips to the cookie dough batter. I prefer to use mini chocolate chips since they are smaller and easier to mix in the dough.

bite of peanut butter cookie

TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST COOKIES

  • Roll the cookies in sparkling sugar to make them extra pretty and sparkle.
  • Use a mini ice cream scoop and then roll the cookie dough into balls for the perfect cookie shape.
  • It’s always best to use regular creamy peanut butter. Do not use natural peanut butter as the consistency is not the same or low fat since it will change the flavor. Use the good stuff for these cookies such as creamy Jif or Skippy peanut butter.
  • Be sure to use room-temperature eggs and butter. This will help the ingredients blend and combine well together. 
  • Do not over-mix the cookies. Once a cookie dough has formed, stop mixing for the best results.

stack of peanut butter cup cookies

STORING LEFTOVERS

Store cookies in an airtight container or ziplock bag for up to 5 days.

Freeze cookies: You can also freeze any leftover cookies for up to 6 months. Let the cookies defrost at room temperature when ready to eat.

Freeze cookie dough balls: Freeze cookie dough balls by placing the cookie dough balls on a baking sheet and flash freeze for 30 minutes or until hardened. Transfer the cookie dough balls to a large ziplock bag or airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Let cookie dough balls defrost completely and then press the mini Reese’s peanut butter cup into the cookie. Bake according to the recipe box below. 

Peanut Butter Cup Cookie

THESE PEANUT BUTTER CUP COOKIES ARE

  • Easy enough for kids to make, and fun! Let them press the peanut butter cup in the center. 
  • Thick, chewy, and soft…the perfect cookie!
  • Loaded with peanut butter flavor and has just the right amount of chocolate. See my notes in this blog post on ways to add more chocolate.
  • The best dessert when served with vanilla ice cream.

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

I bet you can’t have just one cookie….these are too good! I’m telling you, if you need a cookie to make to please everyone. This is the cookie to bake!

peanut butter cup cookies

You can bake these cookies all year round, not just during the holidays. Everyone loves a good peanut butter cookie, but these cookies are on a whole other level.

Bake these for parties, get-togethers, for your neighbors, teachers, add them to your kid’s lunch box, or bake a batch to have at home all week! 

close up of cookies on plate

Freaky Friday Blog Hop

It’s time again for another fun blog hop that’s been hosted by Michaela from An Affair From the Heart.  This time, we are making cookies…just in time for Christmas! 😉

This is how it works, each food blogger is assigned to another food blogger and we select a cookie recipe from their blog, recreate it, photograph it, try it, and then share it with you all!

This Peanut Butter Cup Cookie recipe originally comes from Sue over at SueBee Homemaker. I am so happy that I was selected to make something from Sue’s blog as I loved looking at ALL of her super delicious recipes. She has tons of recipes that are both sweet and savory– the best part is all recipes are on a reasonable budget! How awesome is that? She also has plenty of healthy recipes as well on her blog like this Healthy Taco Salad, 

Other cookie recipes I was debating on making were these Brownie Crinkle Cookies, Brown Butter Toffee Cookies, and her Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars. Seriously, every single recipe I saw on Sue’s blog looks AMAZING and so easy to make. Be sure to check it out too!

Take a look at all of our 2021 Freaky Friday Holiday Cookie Exchange Recipes:

  1. An Affair from the Heart – Candy Cane Puppy Chow
  2. The Carefree Kitchen – Christmas Linzer Cookies
  3. Devour Dinner – Peppermint Meltaways
  4. Family Around the Table – Chocolate Overload Cookies
  5. The Foodie Affair – Easy Pecan Pie Crust Cookie Recipe
  6. Fresh April Flours – Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
  7. The Fresh Cooky – White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
  8. Hostess at Heart – Crumbl Cookie Recipe
  9. House of Nash Eats – Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
  10. Kathryn’s Kitchen Blog – Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
  11. Lemoine Family Kitchen – Lemon Thumbprint Cookies with Strawberry Jam
  12. Lemon Blossoms – Cranberry Orange Biscotti
  13. Life Currents – Chocolate Mint Rugelach
  14. Life, Love & Good Food – White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
  15. Soulfully Made – Polar Bear Paw Cookies
  16. The Speckled Palate – Saltine Cracker Toffee
  17. Sue Bee Homemaker – Jam Thumbprint Cookies
  18. Take Two Tapas – Sugar Cookie Truffles

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Thick and soft-baked peanut butter cookies are topped with Reese's peanut butter cups making these a peanut butter lovers' dream cookie. Easy to make and perfect for any occasion all year round. 
5 from 40 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: peanut butter cup cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 22 cookies
Author: Kathryn Donangelo

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter; softened
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 large egg; at room temperature
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 22 mini Reese's peanut butter cups

Instructions

  • Using an electric mixer or stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugars until light and creamy. Add in the peanut butter, egg, and vanilla. Mix until combined. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix again.
  • In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Add wet ingredients and mix just until combined and a dough has formed.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least two hours before baking.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Roll cookies into 22 balls by using a mini ice cream scoop. Place 11 cookies on each prepared cookie sheets. Flatten with your hand just a tiny bit and bake in the center rack (one cookie sheet at a time) for 10 minutes.
  • Remove cookies from oven, and let rest for two minutes. Push Reese's cups in the center of each cookie, pressing gently. Let them sit for another five minutes before removing them to the cooling rack. Enjoy!
Find Kathryn's Kitchen Blog on Instagram!Mention @Kathryns.Kitchen.Blog or tag #kathrynskitchen!

Notes

  • Drizzle melted dark or milk chocolate on top of the cookies to add even more chocolate to the cookies.
  • Switch the candies up! Instead of topping these peanut butter cookies with a mini Reese's add a Rolo, Hershey's Kiss, Reese's pieces, or any of your favorite chocolate candy pieces on top.
  • Add sprinkles to the tops for themed occasions or holidays. 
  • Add mini chocolate chips to the cookie dough batter. I prefer to use mini chocolate chips since they are smaller and easier to mix in the dough.
Storing leftovers:
  • Store cookies in an airtight container or ziplock bag for up to 5 days.
  • Freeze cookies: You can also freeze any leftover cookies for up to 6 months. Let the cookies defrost at room temperature when ready to eat.
  • Freeze cookie dough balls: Freeze cookie dough balls by placing the cookie dough balls on a baking sheet and flash freeze for 30 minutes or until hardened. Transfer the cookie dough balls to a large ziplock bag or airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.

MORE COOKIE RECIPES

  • M&M Santa Cookies
  • Reindeer Cookies
  • Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
  • White Chocolate Macadamia Nut
  • Lemon Sugar Cookies
  • Toffee Cookies
  • Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
  • Soft and Buttery Snickerdoodles

CAN’T GET ENOUGH?

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Filed Under: Christmas, Cookies, Desserts, Holidays Tagged With: cookies

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. sheila@lifeloveandgoodfood.com'Sheila Thigpen says

    December 3, 2021 at 9:07 am

    5 stars
    A peanut butter lover’s dream come true! These cookies are amazing!

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      December 6, 2021 at 10:57 am

      5 stars
      Thank you Sheila! These really are! 🙂

      Reply
  2. michaela@anaffairfromtheheart.com'Michaela Kenkel says

    December 3, 2021 at 10:27 am

    5 stars
    These cookies speak directly to my tummy, Kathryn! Peanut butter cups are my weakness!! Thank you for sharing with us, and for being a part of our group! Happy holidays to you and your family!

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      December 6, 2021 at 10:56 am

      5 stars
      Thank you so much Michaela! Also thank you, for all of your work on putting this cookie exchange together! I love being a part of this group 🙂

      Reply
  3. kathymcdaniel@gmail.com'Kathy says

    December 3, 2021 at 7:48 pm

    5 stars
    I love peanut butter cookies! this recipe is a must try!!

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      December 6, 2021 at 10:55 am

      5 stars
      I hope you love them! 🙂

      Reply
  4. thefoodieaffair@gmail.com'Sandra Shaffer says

    December 4, 2021 at 9:20 am

    5 stars
    I can’t get over how thick these cookies are. I want to sink my teeth into one right now… Great recipe to mix up and freeze to bake fresh anytime!

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      December 6, 2021 at 10:55 am

      5 stars
      I agree! 🙂 It’s always a good idea to have these stored in the freezer! Thank you Sandra!

      Reply
  5. kathleen@thefreshcooky.com'Kathleen Pope says

    December 4, 2021 at 6:38 pm

    5 stars
    Soft, thick, chewy, peanut buttery!!! All my faves, a great Christmas cookie!!

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      December 6, 2021 at 10:54 am

      5 stars
      Thank you so much, Kathleen!

      Reply
  6. debi@dw2.net'Debi says

    December 5, 2021 at 6:14 am

    5 stars
    A soft buttery cookie topped with a peanut butter cup… what could be better?!? These are awesome!

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      December 6, 2021 at 10:54 am

      5 stars
      Thank you!! 🙂

      Reply
  7. sue@suebeehomemaker.com'Sue Ringsdorf says

    December 5, 2021 at 7:22 am

    5 stars
    These cookies are perfection, Kathryn! Such a great choice and you did an excellent job with them. YUM!

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      December 6, 2021 at 10:54 am

      5 stars
      Thank you so much Sue, your recipe is amazing and I’m so happy I made these! Can’t wait to try more from your blog 🙂

      Reply
  8. jillbaird@gmail.com'Jill Baird says

    December 5, 2021 at 9:17 am

    5 stars
    These are cookie perfection! Putting these on our baking list for this weekend!

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      December 6, 2021 at 10:53 am

      5 stars
      I hope you enjoyed every bite of these cookies 🙂

      Reply
  9. hostessatheart@gmail.com'Julie Menghini says

    December 5, 2021 at 7:25 pm

    5 stars
    These cookies were the hit of our get-together. You just can’t beat chocolate and peanut butter in a delicious cookie!

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      December 6, 2021 at 10:52 am

      5 stars
      Thanks so much Julie!

      Reply
  10. a.lemoine@me.com'Angela says

    December 6, 2021 at 6:57 am

    5 stars
    My boys are obsessed with peanut butter cups!! These cookies are going to be a perfect after school surprise

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      December 6, 2021 at 10:52 am

      5 stars
      I love that you are going to surprise your boys, I hope they love them!

      Reply
  11. erin@thespeckledpalate.com'Erin says

    December 6, 2021 at 6:36 pm

    5 stars
    I love peanut butter and chocolate but have never had a cookie like this until now. FOR SHAME! So glad to have been introduced to these now and cannot wait to make these again. They are just too dang good.

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      December 8, 2021 at 3:29 pm

      5 stars
      SO glad you loved these Erin! 🙂

      Reply
  12. erdeange@yahoo.com'Lynn @ Fresh April Flours says

    December 7, 2021 at 9:42 am

    You can’t go wrong with that chocolate + PB combo!

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      December 8, 2021 at 3:30 pm

      5 stars
      I agree, April!

      Reply
  13. bj3699@bellsouth.net'Jennifer says

    December 10, 2021 at 12:37 pm

    5 stars
    I love a simple peanut butte cookie! Especially with my coffee in the morning LOL. You made them over the top with the peanut butter cups! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      December 11, 2021 at 6:54 am

      5 stars
      Agreed! Coffee and peanut butter are an amazing combination!! 🙂

      Reply
  14. nikki@soulfullymade.com'Nikki Lee says

    December 10, 2021 at 4:02 pm

    5 stars
    These are one of my favorite cookies to make during the holidays!

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      December 11, 2021 at 6:53 am

      5 stars
      Mine too! So glad you love them 🙂

      Reply
  15. familyaroundthetable@gmail.com'Ellen says

    December 10, 2021 at 7:19 pm

    5 stars
    Such good tips about freezing. This is a favorite cookie in my house.

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      December 11, 2021 at 6:53 am

      5 stars
      Thank you! It’s a cookie favorite at our house too! 🙂

      Reply
  16. maps@devourdinner.com'Rebecca says

    December 10, 2021 at 8:13 pm

    5 stars
    I love this flavor combination. Delish!

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      December 11, 2021 at 6:53 am

      5 stars
      Thank you Rebecca!

      Reply
  17. amy@houseofnasheats.com'Amy Nash says

    December 10, 2021 at 8:35 pm

    5 stars
    These cookies are AMAZING. The texture is so chewy and soft and fan-flippin-tastic! I’m going to make them again next week.

    Reply
    • Kathryn Donangelo says

      December 11, 2021 at 6:52 am

      5 stars
      Yay! So happy you loved them! Thanks Amy 🙂

      Reply

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