Peanut butter cup cookies – what’s not to love? They’re the perfect blend of salty and sweet, crunchy and creamy, and they’re always a hit with kids and adults alike. Imagine sinking your teeth into a soft and chewy cookie, only to be met with the delightful surprise of a melty peanut butter cup center. It’s pure bliss! And the best part? These cookies are surprisingly easy to make at home.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, I’m here to guide you through every step of the way. Get ready to wow your friends and family with a batch of these irresistible treats.
Gather Your Ingredients: A Symphony of Flavors
Before we begin our baking adventure, let’s gather our delicious ingredients:
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter (my secret ingredient? Using natural peanut butter adds a depth of flavor that’s simply irresistible!)
For the Peanut Butter Cup Filling:
- 18-20 miniature peanut butter cups, frozen (freezing them prevents them from melting completely while baking)
Optional add-ins:
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (because who can resist extra chocolate?)
- 1/2 cup chopped peanuts (for an extra crunch)
Tools of the Trade: Your Baking Essentials
Every good baker needs their trusty tools! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer (or a whisk and some strong arms!)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Spatula
Let’s Get Baking: The Fun Begins!
Now, let’s turn that kitchen into a cookie haven. Follow these easy steps:
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This will prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze!
- Cream Together the Sweetness: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and both sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. This is where your arm muscles come in handy if you’re using a whisk!
- Eggs-cellent Addition: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Make sure each ingredient is well incorporated before adding the next.
- Dry Ingredients Unite: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the dry ingredients are evenly distributed for a perfectly textured cookie.
- Peanut Butter Power: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, followed by the peanut butter. Be careful not to overmix!
- Chocolate Surprise: Stir in your chocolate chips and chopped peanuts, if using.
- Scoop and Shape: Scoop the cookie dough (about 2 tablespoons per cookie) onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie.
- Press the Treasure: Gently press a frozen peanut butter cup into the center of each cookie dough mound.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown and the centers are just set.
- Cooling Time: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows them to firm up and prevents breakage.
