Description
Delight in these rich and chewy Peanut Butter Cup Cookies that boast a perfect balance of creamy peanut butter and melty mini peanut butter cups. Quick to prepare and baked until golden, these cookies offer a sweet and salty contrast with an optional chocolate drizzle and sea salt sprinkle, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup mini peanut butter cups, chopped
Optional Topping
- ½ cup chocolate chips (optional, for drizzle)
- Sea salt, for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dough: In a large bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and baking soda. Stir until fully incorporated, resulting in a thick and sticky dough.
- Add Peanut Butter Cups: Gently fold the chopped mini peanut butter cups into the dough, distributing them evenly without overmixing to preserve texture.
- Form Cookies: Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and place them onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow spreading during baking.
- Flatten Cookies: Use a fork to slightly flatten each cookie, creating a classic crisscross pattern and helping the cookies bake evenly.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown, indicating they are perfectly cooked.
- Optional Chocolate Drizzle: While the cookies cool on the baking sheet, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave in short bursts, stirring until smooth. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cooled cookies and sprinkle with sea salt for an enhanced sweet-salty flavor combination.
- Cool Completely: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool entirely to set the texture and toppings before serving.
Notes
- Using creamy peanut butter helps achieve a smoother dough consistency.
- For best results, avoid overbaking to keep cookies soft and chewy.
- The optional chocolate drizzle and sea salt add a delicious contrast but can be omitted for a simpler cookie.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Can be frozen before or after baking for extended storage.
