Peanut Chocolate Cookie Cups

Chocolate and peanut butter come together in these mouthwatering cookies, featuring a gooey center that melts in your mouth. Our family kitchen has seen these homemade goodies win over every generation as they turn the familiar peanut butter cup into something warm and freshly baked.

I've watched these treats become the most asked-for dessert at family get-togethers over the years. There's something about that soft cookie wrapped around a melty center that nobody can turn down – from grandparents to grandkids, everyone wants seconds.

Picking Quality Ingredients

• All-purpose flour: Makes the cookie hold together just right. Go for unbleached for better taste and stay away from the self-rising kind
• Creamy peanut butter: Pick natural kinds without added sugar for real flavor. Make sure to stir it well before you measure
• Unsalted butter: Must be soft but not melty. It's ready when you can make a small dent with your finger
• Mini peanut butter cups: Keep them cold until you need them. They're much easier to unwrap when chilled
• Brown sugar: Look for soft, moist sugar for that caramel-like taste. Smash any hard bits before measuring
• Vanilla extract: The real stuff brings out the best in both the peanut butter and chocolate

Baking Flawless Treats

Get Everything Ready:

Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab two mixing bowls – one for wet stuff, one for dry. Put parchment on your baking sheets. Setting up beforehand makes baking go smoothly. Arrange everything in the order you'll use it and let cold ingredients warm up first.

Mix the Dry Stuff:

Stir 1¾ cups flour, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon salt together really well. Use gentle but complete movements so there aren't any soda clumps that might taste bitter. This mixing also puts air in the flour for lighter cookies. Break up any lumps you spot.

Make the Cookie Foundation:

Beat ½ cup soft butter until it looks fluffy, about 2 minutes on medium. Then add your sugars bit by bit, beating another 3 minutes until it's pale and airy. Don't rush this part – it creates tiny bubbles that make your cookies just right.

Add the Wet Ingredients:

Put in one egg, one teaspoon vanilla, and two tablespoons milk one after another, mixing well each time. It should look smooth and well-mixed. Take your time here – each new thing needs to blend in completely.

Combine Everything:

Slowly add the dry mix to your wet mix, stirring just enough to combine them. Roll the dough into 1½-inch balls, push your thumb in each center, and stick a cold peanut butter cup inside. Wrap the dough around it completely.

Bake Them Right:

Put cookies two inches apart on your lined sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn light golden but the middles still look a bit soft. Let them sit on the hot pan for 5 minutes before moving to cooling racks.

Save it

My grandma always told me to cool the dough in the fridge for at least an hour before baking. This little trick helps the flavors get better and stops the cookies from getting too flat in the oven.

Ways To Serve

These cookies look great on a wooden board for family snacks or stacked on a fancy plate for parties. They go perfectly with cold milk, hot coffee, or warm cocoa. For a special treat, warm them slightly and pop some vanilla ice cream on top.

Fun Twists To Try

Switch things up by using dark chocolate peanut butter cups if you love intense chocolate flavor. Throw some chopped peanuts in the dough for extra crunch. During Christmas or other holidays, roll the warm cookies in colored sugar or drizzle melted chocolate on top. If you like mint, try using peppermint patties instead of peanut butter cups.

Keeping Them Fresh

After they cool down, put your cookies in a sealed container at room temp for up to 5 days. Put parchment between the layers so they don't stick together. You can freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months and just let them thaw on the counter when you want them. Pop them in the microwave for a few seconds to make them taste fresh-baked again.

Save it

There's something magical about these cookies that captures what home baking is all about. They're crafted with care, they create moments families remember, and they never fail to make people happy. They might seem simple, but their power to bring joy makes them truly special.

Common Questions

→ Should I use crunchy peanut butter?

You can, but creamy makes the cookies softer.

→ What does milk do in the recipe?

It makes the cookies more tender and soft.

→ Can these be frozen?

Absolutely, freeze them up to 3 months.

→ When do I place the chocolates?

Right after baking while the cookies are hot.

→ Why should I use a mini muffin tin?

It shapes the cookies perfectly to hold chocolate.