Indulgent Mini Peanut Butter Cookie Cups Recipe

Bite-sized Bliss: Mini Peanut Butter Cookie Cups Recipe

Dive into a world of irresistible sweetness with these mini peanut butter cookie cups that promise pure indulgence.

Soft, buttery cookies cradle a rich chocolate center, creating a delightful treat that melts in your mouth.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of classic peanut butter flavor and smooth chocolate goodness.

The compact size makes these miniature desserts ideal for parties, potlucks, or a quick sweet escape.

Bite-sized and utterly addictive, these cookie cups transform ordinary moments into delectable memories.

The simple recipe guarantees success, even for novice bakers looking to impress.

Grab a plate and get ready to savor these delightful little morsels that will have everyone asking for seconds.

For Cookie Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and tender texture for the cookie cups.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and creates a light, airy crumb.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
For Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Adds rich, creamy flavor and helps create a soft cookie texture.
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help create a chewy, golden-brown exterior.
  • Creamy Peanut Butter: Delivers intense nutty flavor and moisture to the cookie base.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds richness.
  • Milk: Keeps cookies moist and helps blend ingredients smoothly.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and enhances overall flavor profile.
For Topping and Filling:
  • Peanut Butter Cups: Creates a decadent chocolate-peanut butter center.
  • Chocolate: Creates smooth, glossy ganache for drizzling.
  • Milk: Helps create creamy ganache texture.
  • Peanut Butter Chips: Optional crunchy topping for extra nutty crunch.
  • Mini Muffin Pan: 24-cup pan for baking perfect mini cookie cups.
  • Cookie Scoop: Extra-small size for uniform, round cookie balls.
  • Mixing Bowls: Three medium bowls for dry ingredients, wet ingredients, and mixing.
  • Whisk: For combining dry ingredients smoothly.
  • Electric Mixer: To beat butter, sugars, and create a creamy batter.
  • Blender: Optional tool for crushing peanut butter chips.
  • Piping Bag: For drizzling ganache neatly over cookies.
  • Cooling Rack: To cool cookies after baking.
  • Measuring Cups: For accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Spatula: For scraping and mixing ingredients.
  • Preparation Setup

Warm up the oven and get your mini muffin pan ready for the delightful journey of creating peanut butter cookie cups.

  • Dry Ingredient Blend

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl, creating a smooth powder mixture that will give structure to your cookies.

  • Wet Ingredient Fusion

Cream together butter, sugars, and peanut butter until silky smooth. Add egg, milk, and vanilla extract, mixing until everything blends perfectly.

  • Cookie Dough Formation

Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, creating a soft, luscious dough. Scoop small rounds and place them into the muffin pan.

  • Chilling Moment

Pop the pan into the freezer for a quick 10-minute chill to help the cookies hold their shape.

  • Baking Magic

Bake the cookies until they’re golden and slightly puffy. Immediately press a peanut butter cup into the center of each warm cookie.

  • Chocolate Drizzle

Prepare a quick ganache by melting chocolate with warm milk. Drizzle over cooled cookie cups for an extra touch of decadence.

  • Final Flourish

Optional: Crush some peanut butter chips and sprinkle over the tops for a crunchy, delightful finish.

  • Make cookie dough balls ahead of time and freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months, ready to bake whenever a sweet craving hits.
  • Replace peanut butter cups with caramel-filled chocolates or dark chocolate truffles for a delightful flavor twist that keeps the recipe exciting and fresh.
  • Slightly underbake the cookie cups by 1-2 minutes to achieve a softer, chewier center that melts in your mouth with each delicious bite.
  • Substitute regular peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or almond butter for those with peanut allergies, ensuring everyone can enjoy these delectable treats.
  • Experiment with different toppings like sea salt, chopped nuts, or colorful sprinkles to elevate the visual appeal and add an extra layer of crunch to your mini cookie cups.
  • Sweet Dessert Pairing: Serve these delightful cookie cups alongside a cold glass of milk or a creamy vanilla milkshake for a classic indulgent treat.
  • Gifting Presentation: Package these mini cookie cups in clear cellophane bags tied with a ribbon for a charming homemade gift that will impress friends and family.
  • Party Platter Wow: Arrange the cookie cups on a decorative platter with extra peanut butter cups and crushed chips scattered around for a stunning dessert centerpiece at gatherings.
  • Gourmet Topping Adventure: Experiment with additional toppings like sea salt, caramel drizzle, or whipped cream to elevate the flavor profile and create a personalized dessert experience.
  • Fridge-Friendly Storage: Keep these delightful cookie cups in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They'll maintain their delicious texture and rich flavor without losing their charm.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Cookie dough balls can be prepared and stored in the freezer for 2-3 weeks. Simply place them in a sealed freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper for easy future baking.
  • Room Temperature Trick: Allow refrigerated cookie cups to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. This helps restore their soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and enhances the chocolate ganache's smoothness.
  • Freezer Friend Strategy: Once completely cooled and decorated, wrap individual cookie cups in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay fresh for up to 1 month, ready to enjoy whenever sweet cravings strike.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Total Time: 28 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 22

Print
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Indulgent Mini Peanut Butter Cookie Cups Recipe

Indulgent Mini Peanut Butter Cookie Cups


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4.7 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 28 minutes
  • Yield: 22 1x

Description

Creamy peanut butter filling nestles inside these delectable mini peanut butter cookie cups, creating a perfect blend of sweet and salty flavors. Cookie lovers will savor each bite of this irresistible dessert that promises pure indulgence.


Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ cup (128 grams) peanut butter
  • ½ cup (100 grams) brown sugar
  • ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
  • 8 tbsps (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups (220 grams) flour
  • 36 mini peanut butter cups, unwrapped
  • 1 egg, room temperature
  • 1/8 cup (30 milliliters) milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 4 oz (113 grams) semi-sweet chocolate bar, chopped
  • ¼ cup (60 milliliters) milk, heated
  • ⅓ cup (57 grams) peanut butter chips, crushed

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Thoroughly grease a mini muffin pan to ensure effortless cookie removal and prevent sticking.
  2. Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until uniformly combined.
  3. Wet Mixture: Cream butter, sugars, and peanut butter until achieving a smooth, homogeneous texture.
  4. Liquid Integration: Blend egg, milk, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture until fully incorporated.
  5. Dough Formation: Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, stirring until a cohesive cookie dough develops.
  6. Portioning: Scoop and roll 36 uniform dough balls, ensuring consistent size and shape.
  7. Chilling: Place dough balls in the prepared muffin pan, then freeze for 10 minutes to solidify.
  8. Baking: Preheat oven to 375°F and bake for 8 minutes until edges turn golden brown.
  9. Chocolate Cup Insertion: Immediately press an unwrapped peanut butter cup into the center of each warm cookie.
  10. Ganache Creation: Pour heated milk over chopped chocolate, stirring until achieving a silky, smooth consistency.
  11. Finishing Touches: Transfer ganache to a piping bag, drizzle over cooled cookie cups, and sprinkle with crushed peanut butter chips.

Notes

  • Prevent Sticking: Thoroughly grease the mini muffin pan to ensure cookies release easily without breaking.
  • Uniform Consistency: Cream butter, sugars, and peanut butter until smooth to create a perfect cookie texture.
  • Chill for Success: Freeze dough balls for 10 minutes before baking to help maintain shape and prevent spreading.
  • Ganache Tip: Pour heated milk over chocolate and stir gently to create a silky, smooth drizzle that enhances the cookie’s flavor.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 22
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg
Mia Reynolds

Mia Reynolds

Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist

Expertise

Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners

Education

New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont

  • Certificate: Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on baking skills, pastry basics, and creating delicious, approachable baked goods.

Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont

  • Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
  • Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.

Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.

Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.

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