Peanut Butter Cookie Cups

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Peanut Butter Cookie Cups are a sweet-and-salty dream baked into handheld form. These bite-sized treats have soft, chewy peanut butter cookie shells with a rich chocolate center that melts in your mouth. They’re easy to bake, even easier to eat, and absolutely irresistible to kids and adults alike.

If you’re a fan of peanut butter and chocolate, this recipe might just be your new favorite. It delivers on both textures and taste—the golden, slightly crisp edge of the cookie cup contrasts beautifully with the smooth, melty chocolate nestled in the middle.

They’re perfect for every occasion: birthday parties, holiday cookie trays, school snacks, or an after-dinner treat. You can whip up a batch in under 30 minutes, and they disappear even faster.

What makes this recipe even more appealing is that it uses pantry staples. There’s no need for anything fancy or hard to find. Just grab your peanut butter, flour, sugar, and a bag of mini chocolate candies or squares.

The magic happens in a mini muffin tin. That shape lets the cookies form their own little cups, creating the perfect vessel to hold a warm chocolate center. It’s like a reverse peanut butter cup—soft on the outside, melty in the middle.

They’re also a dream to customize. Swap in almond butter or sunflower butter. Use dark chocolate instead of milk. Top with crushed nuts, sprinkles, or a tiny sprinkle of sea salt for contrast.

These cookies are freezer-friendly, so you can make a big batch and enjoy them whenever the craving hits. Just pop them in the microwave for a few seconds and you’re back in cookie heaven.

There’s no need to chill the dough, which means faster results. It’s a great recipe to make with kids, too—they’ll love pressing the chocolate into the warm cookie cups.

Presentation-wise, they look like bakery treats. Neat, uniform, shiny centers—all in a perfect little bite. Bring them to a potluck or pack them in a gift tin, and they’ll steal the show.

Once you master this basic version, you’ll find endless variations. From adding caramel to using flavored chocolate, the options are endless.

The flavor is classic, timeless, and unbeatable. Peanut butter and chocolate are always a winning combination.

So if you’re looking for a quick, easy, and delicious cookie that hits every note, these Peanut Butter Cookie Cups are a go-to you’ll bake again and again.

Servings

Makes: 24 cookie cups

Time

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Bake Time: 12–14 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 24 mini chocolate squares or peanut butter cups (unwrapped)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin.
2. In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy.
3. Add peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to wet mixture and mix until just combined.
5. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough into each muffin cup.
6. Bake for 12–14 minutes, until lightly golden and puffed.
7. Immediately press one mini chocolate candy into the center of each cookie cup.
8. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips

• Use a cookie scoop for even portions.
• Don’t overbake—the cookies will continue to set as they cool.
• Press the chocolate in gently, just enough to sink into the warm center.
• Store in an airtight container at room temp for up to 5 days or freeze for 1 month.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It’s fast, foolproof, and totally delicious. The texture combo of soft cookie and melty chocolate is addictive, and the presentation is always a hit. Plus, the recipe’s endlessly adaptable.

Peanut Butter Cookie Cups are a go-to treat for good reason. With chewy peanut butter cookie shells and melty chocolate centers, they’re easy to bake, hard to resist, and perfect for sharing or snacking anytime.