Peanut Butter Cup Christmas Cookies are a delicious combination of peanut butter, chocolate, and the holiday spirit.
These cookies feature a soft peanut butter dough wrapped around a mini peanut butter cup, creating a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors.
With their festive appearance and irresistible taste, they are perfect for holiday cookie trays, gifting, or simply enjoying a cup of hot cocoa.
These easy-to-make cookies will be a hit with everyone, and they'll quickly become a seasonal favorite!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Irresistible Flavor: The combination of peanut butter and chocolate in every bite is a crowd-pleasing favorite.
- Easy to Make: This recipe requires just a few ingredients and minimal effort, making it great for busy holiday baking.
- Perfect for Gifting: These cookies are a festive and delicious gift for friends, family, and neighbors.
- Festive Appearance: With mini peanut butter cups tucked inside, these cookies look as good as they taste.
- Make Ahead-Friendly: You can make the dough ahead of time and freeze the cookies for later, making them perfect for holiday planning.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 36 mini peanut butter cups, unwrapped
Directions:
- Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the peanut butter, butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and then add the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
- Step 3: Shape the Cookies
Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. Place a mini peanut butter cup in the center of each dough ball and wrap the dough around it, ensuring the peanut butter cup is fully covered.
- Roll the dough ball into a smooth shape. like it sweeter, you can add more sugar or cocoa powder.
- Step 4: Bake the Cookies
Place the cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are golden and the centers are set.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Variations:
- Peanut Butter Chip Variation: Add a cup of peanut butter chips to the dough for an extra burst of peanut butter flavor.
- Chocolate Drizzle: After the cookies cool, drizzle them with melted chocolate for an added touch of decadence.
- Minty Twist: Swap the peanut butter cups for mini mint chocolate cups for a refreshing mint-chocolate flavor.
- Gluten-Free Version: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a gluten-free cookie option.
Serving and Storage
Serving:
These cookies are best served fresh out of the oven or after they’ve cooled.
They make a great addition to holiday cookie platters and are perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Storage:
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container.
They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Simply thaw at room temperature before serving.
Tips for Success
- Use Softened Butter: Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature for the best cookie texture.
- Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on the cookies, as they bake quickly. Overbaking will result in a dry texture.
- Chill the Dough: If the dough is too sticky to work with, chill it in the refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes before shaping the cookies.
- Customize with Toppings: Add sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or drizzle melted chocolate on top for a festive touch.
FAQs
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking.
Yes, chunky peanut butter will work, though it will give your cookies a bit of extra texture.
Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough for up to 3 months. Roll the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet to freeze before transferring them to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Be sure to wrap the dough tightly around the peanut butter cups to avoid melting during baking. If you're concerned, you can freeze the peanut butter cups before wrapping them in dough to help keep their shape.
Peanut Butter Cup Christmas Cookies are a holiday treat that’s sure to delight everyone who tries them.
The combination of soft peanut butter dough and gooey chocolate from the peanut butter cups creates a mouthwatering flavor that’s perfect for the season.
Whether you're baking for a party, a gift exchange, or simply treating yourself, these cookies will be a holiday favorite.
Enjoy them with a glass of milk or your favorite hot beverage, and share the love with family and friends!
PEANUT BUTTER CUP CHRISTMAS COOKIES
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 24 mini peanut butter cups (unwrapped)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups chocolate chips (optional, for drizzling)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, peanut butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and mix until combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Remove from the oven and immediately press a mini peanut butter cup into the center of each cookie.
- Cool and Drizzle (optional): Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. For extra chocolate flavor, drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cookies.
Notes
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the cookie dough in advance, wrap it in plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Bake when ready.
- Customizing the Flavor: For added flavor, mix in mini chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate over the top after baking. You can also use crunchy peanut butter for a different texture.
- Serving Suggestions: These cookies are perfect for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, or a sweet treat to leave out for Santa. Serve with a glass of milk.
- Storage Tips: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze the cookies for up to 2 months.
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