If you’re a peanut butter fan, get ready to fall in love with these Peanut Butter Cup Cookies! Imagine biting into a soft, chewy peanut butter cookie with a mini peanut butter cup nestled in the center, creating the perfect blend of creamy, chocolatey goodness. These cookies are everything you love about classic peanut butter treats but with a rich, indulgent twist.

Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a cookie exchange, or just craving something sweet, this easy peanut butter cup cookie recipe is a must-try. With a few simple ingredients and a foolproof method, you’ll have bakery-style cookies that melt in your mouth. Plus, I’ll share tips on how to make them extra soft and flavorful, along with storage and freezing instructions to keep them fresh for longer.

If you love soft peanut butter cookies with chocolate, these Peanut Butter Cup Cookies will be your new go-to treat! They’re easy to make, packed with peanut butter flavor, and have a gooey, melty peanut butter cup in the center that takes them to the next level.

Perfect for holiday baking, gifting, or satisfying a sweet tooth, this recipe is a keeper. Try them once, and you’ll be hooked!

Why You’ll Love These Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Soft and chewy – No dry cookies here! These have the perfect texture.
Rich peanut butter flavor – The dough is packed with peanut butter, making every bite irresistible.
Melty chocolate center – Mini peanut butter cups add the ultimate gooey chocolate-peanut butter combo.
Easy to make – No chilling required, and the dough comes together in minutes.
Perfect for any occasion – Great for Christmas, bake sales, or an afternoon snack.

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED

• Flour: The essential base that builds the structure of the cookie dough.
• Baking Powder: The leavening agent that helps the cookies rise with a light texture.
• Sugar: Provides a delightful sweetness and aids in achieving a golden-brown finish.
• Egg: Adds moisture and binds the ingredients together for a tender crumb.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Infuses the dough with a rich, aromatic flavor.
• Salted Butter: Contributes smooth richness and enhances the overall taste.
• Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: The irresistible surprise center that brings a burst of chocolate and peanut butter in every bite.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 12-count mini muffin pan. Set the pan aside.

Add the flour, baking powder, sugar, egg, vanilla, and butter to a stand mixer bowl, and blend until a cookie dough forms.

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Press 1-2 tablespoons of the prepared dough into each cup of the mini muffin pan. Form the dough into a cup by pressing it against the sides.

Bake for 10 minutes, or until lightly browned and cooked through.  Bake the cups for 5 minutes. Then, remove the cookies and press the cookie down with a spoon into the pan and against the sides as it will have risen some. Bake for another 5-8 minutes or until the cookies are browned.

Place a mini-Reese’s PB cup into the center of each cookie cup. Allow the cups to cool completely before removing them from the pan.

STORAGE OPTIONS

Freeze: Place cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until firm, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. Store for up to 3 months.

Refrigerate: Keep cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week to maintain freshness.

VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Chocolate Lovers’ Twist – Swap the peanut butter cookie base for a classic chocolate cookie dough for an extra-rich treat.

Nut-Free Alternative – Use sunflower seed butter or cookie butter instead of peanut butter for an allergy-friendly version.

Crunchy vs. Creamy – Prefer a little texture? Try crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth for a bit of nutty crunch.

Stuffed Surprise – Press a caramel-filled chocolate or a mini marshmallow into the center instead of a peanut butter cup for a fun variation.

Flourless Option – Use a flourless peanut butter cookie recipe for a gluten-free twist that’s just as soft and chewy.

Topping Fun – Sprinkle crushed peanuts, sea salt, or a drizzle of melted chocolate over the cookies before serving for extra flavor.

Little Cookie Peanut Butter Bites

Yield: 12

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

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Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• ½ tsp. baking powder
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 1 tsp. pure Vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp. salted butter, softened
• 12 Reese’s peanut butter cups, mini

Instructions

1. Set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 12-count mini muffin pan. Set the pan aside.
2. Add the flour, baking powder, sugar, egg, vanilla, and butter to a stand mixer bowl, and blend until a cookie dough forms. 
3. Press 1-2 tablespoons of the prepared dough into each cup of the mini muffin pan. Form the dough into a cup by pressing it against the sides.
4. Bake for 10 minutes, or until lightly browned and cooked through.  Bake the cups for 5 minutes. Then, remove the cookies and press the cookie down with a spoon into the pan and against the sides as it will have risen some. Bake for another 5-8 minutes or until the cookies are browned.
5. Place a mini-Reese’s PB cup into the center of each cookie cup. Allow the cups to cool completely before removing them from the pan.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 104Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 47mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 0gSugar: 10gProtein: 2g