Name: Peanut Butter Cup Candy Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 225g Unsalted butter, at room temperature; 170g Dark Brown or Muscovado Sugar; 100g Granulated / White Sugar; 50g Raw / Turbinado Sugar; 1 egg; 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract; 300g All-purpose flour; ½ tsp baking soda; ½ tsp baking powder; 1 tsp salt; 250g chopped peanut butter cups, plus a few extra for topping; 100g milk chocolate, coarsely chopped, plus more for finishing; 100g dark chocolate, coarsely chopped, plus more for finishing; Flaky Sea Salt such as Maldon for finishing

Jump to Recipe· 4.2 from 8 reviews

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If you adore the heavenly combination of peanut butter and chocolate in cookie form, then let me introduce you to the ultimate indulgence: the Peanut Butter Cup Candy Cookies Recipe. These cookies, bursting with chunks of Reese’s peanut butter cups and swirls of milk and dark chocolate, elevate the classic cookie experience to a whole new level. Each bite offers a perfect balance of buttery softness, a hint of sea salt, and gooey chocolate, making them irresistible any time of day.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A shiny metal bowl filled with one thick layer of light brown cookie dough with dark chocolate chips mixed throughout. A white spatula with a wooden handle rests inside the bowl, partially covered with dough. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Creating the Peanut Butter Cup Candy Cookies Recipe is surprisingly simple thanks to a handful of essential ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Each ingredient plays a special role in delivering the cookie’s perfect texture, rich flavor, and delightful color.

Unsalted butter (225g): This is your cookie’s foundation, providing that tender, rich texture and buttery flavor essential to every good cookie.
Dark Brown or Muscovado Sugar (170g): Adds deep caramel notes and contributes to a chewy bite.
Granulated / White Sugar (100g): Helps with spreading and gives a slight crisp edge.
Raw / Turbinado Sugar (50g): A little extra crunch and a hint of natural sweetness come from this less refined sugar.
Egg (1): Binds everything together for that perfect chewy center.
Vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract (1 tsp): Enhances all the other flavors with a warm, sweet aroma.
All-purpose flour (300g): The backbone of your cookie dough, supporting structure without being too dense.
Baking soda (½ tsp) and baking powder (½ tsp): These leavening agents give the dough a light rise and tender crumb.
Salt (1 tsp): Balances sweetness and boosts the flavors, especially amplifying the peanut butter and chocolate.
Chopped peanut butter cups (250g plus extra): The star ingredient, delivering those irresistible pockets of peanut butter and chocolate in every bite.
Milk chocolate, coarsely chopped (100g plus more for finishing): Adds creamy sweetness and luscious texture.
Dark chocolate, coarsely chopped (100g plus more for finishing): Brings a slight bitterness that perfectly contrasts the peanut butter.
Flaky sea salt such as Maldon: For that final elegant touch—enhancing flavor and adding a delicate crunch.

How to Make Peanut Butter Cup Candy Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugars

Start by blending your room-temperature butter and the trio of sugars for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes pale, light, and fluffy. This crucial step helps create the cookie’s tender crumb and brings out those luscious caramel undertones. Then, add your egg and vanilla, mixing it all together and scraping down the bowl as needed to ensure nothing gets left behind.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl or sieve, sift together your flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add these dry ingredients to your butter mixture and mix on low speed until just combined. You want some streaks of flour visible—that’s a good sign that your dough won’t turn out tough.

Step 3: Fold in Chopped Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cups

Now comes the fun part: gently mixing in the chopped peanut butter cups along with the milk and dark chocolate. This combination ensures every cookie is studded with delightful chunks of candy. To get the best distribution, fold any stubborn bits in by hand with a spatula so every bite is an adventure in texture and flavor.

Step 4: Shape and Chill the Dough

Using a cookie scoop, portion out two-tablespoon balls of dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets. For extra chocolate pockets, flatten a dough ball, press more chopped peanut butter cups and chocolate on top, and then roll it back into a ball. Cover the tray with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the fridge for at least an hour. This chilling step is essential to develop flavor and prevent excessive spreading in the oven.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Place 6 dough balls on a baking sheet, leaving room for spreading. Bake for 13 to 14 minutes — 13 if you crave soft, chewy centers, or 14 if you want edges with a bit more crunch. If you like, perfect their shape post-baking by nudging them gently with a cookie cutter. Finally, sprinkle generously with flaky sea salt while still warm—this adds a subtle, mouthwatering contrast to the sweet and nutty flavors.

How to Serve Peanut Butter Cup Candy Cookies Recipe

A stack of five thick, round cookies with a golden-brown color and dark chocolate chunks melted on top stands at the center on a white marbled surface. Around the stack, there are more cookies lying flat with large, melted chocolate pieces and small bits scattered. Some cookie pieces and chocolate chunks are spread near the cookies. Behind the stack, a tall white bottle of milk is slightly blurred. The cookies have a rough, crumbly texture with shine from the melted chocolate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To really elevate these cookies, sprinkle a little more flaky sea salt just before serving—it highlights the cookie’s sweetness and gives that irresistible gourmet touch. Alternatively, a drizzle of melted peanut butter or chocolate on top adds extra decadence if you want to impress guests.

Side Dishes

These cookies are a star on their own but can be wonderfully paired with a tall glass of cold milk or a cup of strong coffee, which balances the sweetness perfectly. For special occasions, consider serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.

Creative Ways to Present

Package a few warm cookies in a decorative box for a sweet homemade gift, or arrange them beautifully on a platter alongside fresh fruit or nut clusters for a party spread. Stacking them on cake stands or wrapping them in parchment paper tied with twine makes for an inviting display that’s as charming as the cookies themselves.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After these cookies have cooled completely, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay delicious and chewy for at least 4 to 5 days, so you can enjoy that Peanut Butter Cup Candy Cookies Recipe magic throughout the week.

Freezing

If you want to keep cookies fresh for longer, freeze the baked cookies between layers of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. They will maintain their flavor and texture for up to 3 months. You can also freeze the shaped dough balls before baking—just thaw them in the fridge overnight before cooking.

Reheating

To revive the cookies’ freshly-baked warmth, pop them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5 minutes or microwave on low for 15 to 20 seconds. This will soften them up nicely and bring back that just-out-of-the-oven allure.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of peanut butter cup for this recipe?

Absolutely! While Reese’s are the classic go-to, feel free to experiment with other brands or even mini peanut butter cups. The important part is chopping them into chunky pieces so each bite has wonderful bits of peanut butter and chocolate.

Is chilling the dough absolutely necessary?

Chilling the dough for at least an hour is highly recommended. It helps the cookies hold their shape during baking, prevents excessive spreading, and allows flavors to deepen. If you’re short on time, 30 minutes can work, but for best results, don’t skip it.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

You can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that works cup-for-cup. Just keep in mind that texture might vary slightly and it’s best to choose a blend with xanthan gum to maintain structure.

How do I store cookies to keep them soft?

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature with a slice of bread or a few apple slices inside. The moisture from these keeps cookies soft and chewy for longer.

Why does the recipe call for multiple types of sugar?

Using a mix of sugars—brown, white, and raw—adds complexity to the flavor and affects texture. Brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness, white sugar creates a crisp edge, and raw sugar gives little crunchy crystals that enhance the eating experience.

Final Thoughts

There is something truly joyful about baking and sharing this Peanut Butter Cup Candy Cookies Recipe. It’s a surefire crowd-pleaser for peanut butter and chocolate lovers alike, combining simple ingredients into a cookie that’s bursting with flavor and texture. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll quickly become a beloved classic in your recipe collection. Bake a batch, share with friends, and enjoy every delicious bite!

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