Peanut Butter Cup Cookies: Easy to Make, Soft and Chewy
Are you craving a sweet and soft treat that combines the rich flavors of peanut butter and chocolate? These Peanut Butter Cup Cookies are the perfect solution!
Easy to make, chewy, and packed with the indulgent taste of peanut butter cups, these cookies will quickly become a favorite in your home.
Whether you're baking for a party, a family gathering, or just a cozy night in, these cookies are sure to impress.
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Ingredients You Need
- 1 1/3 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (250g) peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
- 3/4 cup (150g) brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 24 mini peanut butter cups, unwrapped
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
Making these Peanut Butter Cup Cookies is simple and fun, and the best part is that you only need a few ingredients to create these deliciously soft and chewy cookies.
Follow this detailed step-by-step guide to achieve the perfect cookies every time. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned baker, this process is easy to follow, and the end result will be totally worth it!
1. Prepare Your Oven and Mini Muffin Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the oven reaches the perfect temperature for baking your cookies.
While the oven is warming up, take your mini muffin pan and either line it with paper liners or lightly grease each cavity with non-stick spray or butter. This will help the cookies come out of the pan easily once baked.
Using a mini muffin pan gives the cookies their perfect cup shape, so be sure to use the right size pan for this recipe.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Use a whisk to thoroughly mix the dry ingredients together.
This step ensures that the baking soda is evenly distributed, which is essential for the cookies to rise and have a light texture. Set this bowl aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.
3. Cream the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the unsalted butter and peanut butter. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the mixture until it becomes light and creamy.
This process incorporates air into the butter and peanut butter, which will give your cookies a nice texture. Once the butter and peanut butter are fully combined, add in the brown sugar and granulated sugar.
Beat the mixture until it’s smooth and fluffy. This should take about 2–3 minutes. Now, add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated. These wet ingredients are the foundation of your cookies' flavor and texture.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, using a spatula or mixer on low speed to combine them. Stir until just incorporated—be careful not to overmix.
Overmixing the dough can lead to tough cookies. The dough should be thick and slightly sticky, making it easy to scoop and roll into balls.
5. Portion and Press the Dough
Now comes the fun part! Use a 1-tablespoon-sized scoop or a spoon to portion out the dough. Roll each portion into a ball and place it into each cavity of the prepared mini muffin pan.
The dough will be slightly sticky, so it may help to wet your hands with a little water or lightly coat them with flour as you roll.
Once you have filled all the cavities with dough, gently press a mini peanut butter cup into the center of each dough ball.
Make sure the peanut butter cup is pressed down enough so that it stays secure during baking, but don't push it all the way through.
6. Bake the Cookies
Place the muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 10–12 minutes. The cookies should be slightly golden at the edges and the dough should be set, but still soft in the center.
Since these cookies are small and thick, it’s important to keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking. Overbaking can result in dry cookies, and we want them to stay soft and chewy!
7. Cool and Enjoy
Once the cookies are done baking, remove the pan from the oven and allow the cookies to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. This helps them set and makes them easier to remove from the pan without breaking.
After 5 minutes, carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. This is when the magic happens—your cookies will finish setting, and the peanut butter cup will firm up into a delicious, gooey center.
Store and Freeze It
These cookies stay fresh for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. To freeze them, place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze for 2 hours, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag.
They’ll keep for up to 3 months. To enjoy, simply thaw and, if desired, heat in the oven for 5 minutes to restore their soft, chewy texture.
Delicious Variations and Tips
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Twist: For a fun variation, add a teaspoon of jelly or jam on top of the peanut butter cup before pressing it into the dough. This adds a sweet burst of flavor and brings a nostalgic PB&J twist to your cookies.
- Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Cups: Try using salted caramel peanut butter cups instead of regular ones for a richer, more decadent flavor.
- Nut-Free Option: If you need a nut-free alternative, you can swap out the peanut butter for sunflower seed butter, which works well as a one-to-one replacement.
- Make Ahead: You can make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Simply scoop the dough, store it in an airtight container, and bake when ready.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Perfect for Peanut Butter Lovers
If you're a fan of peanut butter, this recipe is a must-try! The peanut butter cups in the center melt perfectly into the cookie, creating a gooey, indulgent treat in every bite. The peanut butter dough also provides the perfect balance of rich flavor and softness, making these cookies the ultimate peanut butter dessert.
Whether you prefer smooth or crunchy peanut butter, this recipe is versatile enough to satisfy any peanut butter craving.
Quick and Easy to Make
This recipe is super easy and requires minimal prep time. You don’t need fancy equipment or advanced baking skills to make these cookies. With just a few simple ingredients and an easy-to-follow process, you'll have fresh, homemade cookies in no time.
Whether you’re baking on a weekend or looking for a last-minute treat, these cookies come together quickly and effortlessly—perfect for busy bakers!
A Sweet Surprise in Every Bite
These Peanut Butter Cup Cookies are a must-try for any peanut butter lover. With their soft and chewy texture, they’re the perfect combination of flavors, and the mini peanut butter cup in the center adds a deliciously sweet surprise.
Whether you’re baking for yourself or sharing with friends, these cookies are sure to become a favorite!
Pin this recipe for later or share it with your friends. Don’t forget to try out the fun variations and get creative with your own peanut butter cup combinations!
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Source: Joy of Baking
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