Crumbl Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’re a fan of peanut butter and chocolate, you’re going to fall in love with these Crumbl Peanut Butter Cup Cookies. The dough is rich and peanut buttery, with chunks of peanut butter cups throughout. The texture is soft and chewy, with just the right balance of sweetness and nuttiness. The mini peanut butter cups melt slightly during baking, creating pockets of gooey, creamy peanut butter that will make every bite irresistible. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply craving a sweet treat, these cookies will not disappoint!

Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup brown sugar, packed

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 1 cup mini peanut butter cups, chopped (or regular peanut butter cups, chopped)

For Topping:

• ½ cup mini peanut butter cups, chopped (for topping)

• ¼ cup peanut butter, melted (optional, for drizzling)

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Make the Cookie Dough:

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

2. Cream the butter and peanut butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

3. Add the eggs and vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

4. Mix the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

5. Fold in the peanut butter cups: Gently fold in 1 cup of chopped mini peanut butter cups (or regular peanut butter cups) into the dough. Be careful not to overmix.

6. Chill the dough: Cover the dough and chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This helps the dough firm up and prevents excessive spreading while baking.

Shape and Bake the Cookies:

7. Form the dough balls: Once chilled, scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough and roll it into a ball. Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

8. Press the peanut butter cups on top: Gently press a few extra chopped mini peanut butter cups onto the top of each cookie dough ball for extra peanut butter goodness.

9. Bake the cookies: Bake for 9-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers are still soft. Be careful not to overbake, as these cookies should remain soft and chewy.

10. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Optional Topping:

11. Drizzle with peanut butter: If you like, melt ¼ cup of peanut butter and drizzle it over the cooled cookies for an extra peanut buttery finish.

Serve:

12. Enjoy: Serve these decadent cookies with a glass of milk or enjoy them as a sweet treat any time of the day.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: About 18-20 cookies

• Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Chill Time: 30 minutes (optional)

• Bake Time: 9-12 minutes

• Total Time: 1 hour

Variations

• Add chocolate chips: For extra chocolate flavor, you can add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the dough along with the peanut butter cups.

• Use different peanut butter cups: Try using white chocolate peanut butter cups or dark chocolate peanut butter cups for a different twist.

• Make mini cookies: If you prefer mini cookies, scoop smaller portions of dough and adjust the baking time to about 6-8 minutes.

• Peanut butter drizzle: To make the cookies even more indulgent, drizzle the cookies with melted chocolate and peanut butter after baking.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

• Freezing: You can freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, just bake directly from frozen (add an extra minute or two to the bake time).

• Reheating: To reheat, microwave the cookies for 10-15 seconds to get them soft and warm again.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Yes, you can substitute crunchy peanut butter for creamy peanut butter, though the texture of the cookie dough will be a bit different. The cookies will have more texture from the peanut pieces.

Can I make these cookies without peanut butter cups?

Yes, you can make these cookies without peanut butter cups and simply use chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bars. The peanut butter flavor will still shine through in the dough.

Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes, you can freeze the cookies either before or after baking. To freeze unbaked dough, scoop the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Then transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe container. You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to 1-2 months.

How do I get the cookies soft and chewy?

To ensure your cookies stay soft and chewy, don’t overbake them. The cookies should be golden on the edges but still soft in the center when you take them out of the oven. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Can I use mini or regular peanut butter cups?

Both mini and regular peanut butter cups work great for this recipe. The mini ones are easier to incorporate into the dough, but regular peanut butter cups can be chopped into smaller pieces and added to the dough as well.

Conclusion

Crumbl Peanut Butter Cup Cookies are the perfect combination of soft, chewy peanut butter cookie dough and creamy, melty peanut butter cups. The addition of peanut butter in the dough makes them rich and flavorful, while the chunks of peanut butter cups add an indulgent surprise in every bite. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just satisfying your sweet tooth, these cookies are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. They’re easy to make, and the flavor is out of this world!