Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookie Cups Recipe

Sweet Peanut Butter Cookie Cups Recipe: Effortless Homemade Joy

Decadent chocolate and creamy peanut butter cookie cups dance together in a dessert that promises pure indulgence.

These bite-sized treats blend rich, velvety chocolate with smooth peanut butter in ways that make taste buds sing.

Every morsel delivers a perfect balance of sweet and salty notes that complement each other beautifully.

The recipe combines simple ingredients with a technique that turns ordinary cookies into extraordinary miniature delights.

Warm from the oven, these little cups of happiness melt in your mouth with an irresistible texture.

Skilled bakers and novice dessert lovers alike will find joy in creating these delectable morsels.

Let’s find out this delightful recipe and watch as magic unfolds in your kitchen.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 42 minutes

Calories: 270 kcal

Servings: 13

For Cookie Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and tender crumb for the cookie cups.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds richness to the dough.
  • Unsalted Butter: Creates tender, flaky texture with rich buttery flavor.
  • Smooth Peanut Butter: Delivers intense nutty taste and creamy consistency.
  • Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and deep caramel-like sweetness.
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides additional sweetness and helps with cookie browning.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and creates soft, tender texture.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
For Filling:
  • Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, tangy base for filling.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, complex flavor depth.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream: Ensures light, airy filling texture.
  • Smooth Peanut Butter: Reinforces nutty flavor profile.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the creamy filling.
For Topping and Garnish:
  • Raspberry Jam: Adds bright, fruity contrast to rich peanut butter flavors.
  • Chopped Peanuts: Provides crunchy texture and extra nutty accent (optional).
  • Muffin tin: Standard 12-cup size for shaping cookie cups.
  • Large mixing bowls: Two separate bowls for dry and wet ingredients.
  • Electric mixer: Essential for creaming butter and beating ingredients smoothly.
  • Cookie scoop: 3-tablespoon size for consistent dough portioning.
  • Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool evenly after baking.
  • Small jar or container: Used for creating indentations in warm cookies.
  • Piping bag: For neatly adding peanut butter mousse on top.
  • Microwave-safe dish: Needed for warming raspberry jam.
  • Whisk or spatula: For folding ingredients gently.
  • Oven Preparation

Warm up your oven and get a muffin tin ready with a light spray coating.

  • Dough Foundation

Mix together dry ingredients in one bowl while creaming butter and peanut butter in another until silky smooth.

  • Mixing Magic

Combine wet and dry ingredients gently, ensuring everything blends perfectly without overmixing.

  • Cookie Cup Creation

Scoop dough into muffin cups, pressing down to create nice rounded shapes.

  • Baking Moment

Bake until edges turn golden and centers look soft, creating delicate cookie cups.

  • Cup Shaping

While cookies are warm, press center gently to form beautiful indentations for filling.

  • Mousse Magic

Whip cream cheese with peanut butter and fold in fluffy whipped cream to create dreamy filling.

  • Raspberry Surprise

Warm raspberry jam and carefully spoon into cookie cup centers.

  • Finishing Touches

Pipe peanut butter mousse over jam layer and sprinkle with chopped peanuts for extra crunch.

  • Chill and Serve

Refrigerate for a few hours to let flavors mingle and enjoy these decadent treats within a couple days.

  • Seal these delightful cookie cups in an airtight container to maintain their incredible texture and prevent moisture buildup, keeping them fresh and delicious for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
  • Want softer cookies? Let the dough rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before scooping, which helps butter soften and creates a more tender, melt-in-your-mouth experience.
  • Replace raspberry jam with strawberry, blackberry, or even chocolate sauce for a totally different taste profile that'll keep your taste buds guessing and excited about each bite.
  • Experiment with different nut toppings like chopped almonds, toasted pecans, or crushed walnuts to add extra crunch and introduce new flavor dimensions to these irresistible cookie cups.
  • Prepare the cookie base and mousse separately up to two days in advance, storing them covered in the refrigerator, then assemble just before serving to maintain peak freshness and texture.
  • Dessert Platter Perfection: Create an elegant display by arranging these peanut butter cookie cups on a white ceramic platter, alternating with fresh raspberries and mint leaves for a pop of color.
  • Decadent Party Centerpiece: Serve these cookie cups at gatherings as a show-stopping dessert, placing them on tiered cake stands that highlight their beautiful layers and glossy raspberry topping.
  • Coffee Companion Delight: Pair these treats with a rich espresso or creamy latte, allowing the nutty peanut butter and sweet raspberry flavors to complement the warm beverage's robust notes.
  • Gifting Gourmet Style: Package individual cookie cups in clear gift boxes with ribbons, making them a stunning homemade present for friends, teachers, or weekend brunch hosts.
  • Smart Storage Solutions: Keep cookie cups sealed tightly in an airtight container inside refrigerator for maximum freshness up to 3 days.
  • Freezing Friendly: Wrap individual cups separately in plastic wrap, then store inside freezer-safe container for up to 4 weeks without losing delicious texture.
  • Temperature Tips: Always serve chilled for best taste and mousse consistency, removing from refrigerator just before enjoying to maintain perfect creamy structure.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie bases and mousse separately up to 48 hours in advance, assembling final dessert right before serving to guarantee ultimate flavor and presentation quality.
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Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookie Cups Recipe

Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookie Cups Recipe


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4.6 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 42 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Irresistible chocolate and peanut butter cookie cups combine classic comfort with indulgent flavor. Rich chocolate centers nestled in buttery peanut cookie shells offer sweet satisfaction for dessert enthusiasts eager to explore delightful homemade treats.


Ingredients

Scale
  • ¾ cup (180 grams) smooth peanut butter (not natural)
  • 3 oz (85 grams) cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup (57 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ½ cup (100 grams) light brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
  • 1 ¼ cups (156 grams) all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp (3 grams) salt
  • ¼ tsp (1.25 grams) baking soda
  • ½ cup (120 ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) raspberry jam, seedless (or your choice of jam)
  • Optional: chopped peanuts

Instructions

  1. Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and generously spray a standard muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy cookie removal.
  2. Dry Ingredient Preparation: Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together, creating a uniform dry ingredient mixture that will provide consistent texture to the cookie base.
  3. Creaming Stage: Utilize an electric mixer to blend butter and peanut butter until silky, then gradually incorporate granulated and brown sugars. Whip at medium-high speed until the mixture transforms into a pale, aerated consistency.
  4. Wet Ingredient Integration: Reduce mixer speed and introduce egg and vanilla extract, blending until thoroughly combined and smooth.
  5. Dough Formation: Gently fold reserved flour mixture into wet ingredients, stirring minimally to prevent gluten development and maintain a tender cookie texture.
  6. Baking Process: Distribute dough evenly into muffin tin cavities using a large cookie scoop, pressing gently to create uniform cups. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn light golden while maintaining a soft center.
  7. Shaping and Cooling: Immediately after removing from oven, create wells in each warm cookie cup using a small jar or container. Allow cookies to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
  8. Mousse Preparation: Whip chilled heavy cream until stiff peaks form. In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth, then incorporate peanut butter. Fold whipped cream into the mixture delicately to preserve its airy texture.
  9. Jam and Assembly: Warm raspberry jam in short microwave intervals, stirring between bursts. Distribute jam into cooled cookie cups and chill for 20 minutes. Pipe peanut butter mousse generously over the raspberry layer.
  10. Finishing Touches: Refrigerate assembled cookie cups for minimum 2 hours to meld flavors. Optional garnish with chopped peanuts and additional raspberry jam dollops. Serve chilled and consume within 2-3 days for peak enjoyment.

Notes

  • Chill Equipment for Whipping: Use refrigerated bowls and beaters to achieve maximum cream volume and stability.
  • Press Gently While Warm: Create cookie cup wells immediately after baking when cookies are still warm to prevent cracking.
  • Fold Carefully: Incorporate whipped cream into peanut butter mixture using gentle folding techniques to maintain light, airy texture.
  • Store Smartly: Refrigerate cookie cups and consume within 2-3 days to ensure peak flavor and texture quality.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 270
  • Sugar: 16 g
  • Sodium: 180 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 29 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 35 mg
Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds

Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Home Cooking Innovation & Comfort Recipes
  • Flavor Development & Ingredient Pairing
  • Seasonal Produce Integration
  • Recipe Testing & Instructional Clarity
  • Culinary Education & Community Workshops

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

  • Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.

Oregon State University

  • Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
  • Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.

Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café. 

Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.

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