Kids and adults alike will love these classic Peanut Butter Cup Cookies. Miniature Reese’s cups are nestled into peanut butter cookie cups for an easy cookie that will be a hit at holiday cookie exchanges.
INTRO
PEANUT BUTTER CUP COOKIES IN A MINI MUFFIN TIN
Have you had Peanut Butter Cup Cookies before?
I feel like they are a classic at holiday parties and cookie exchanges, along with Peanut Butter Blossoms and Rum Balls.
And honestly, it makes sense why. Peanut butter and chocolate were made to be together, and these cookies are quick and easy to make.
Instead of baking the cookies on a cookie sheet, like you would with Peanut Butter Blossoms or Mint Chocolate Cookies, the dough balls are baked in a mini muffin pan.
The muffin pan mimics the shape of the mini Reese’s peanut butter cups that get pushed into the center of each freshly baked cookie.
The whole thing makes for an adorable cookie cup that can be devoured in one or two bites.
Even better, they’re a great use for any leftover Halloween candy you might still have laying around. Or even bags of holiday candy leftover from parties.
HOW TO MAKE REESE’S CUP COOKIES
The base for Peanut Butter Cup Cookies is a simple peanut butter cookie dough. The dough is very similar to the one used to make my Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies.
Cream together the butter, peanut butter, and both the granulated and brown sugars. Both types of sugar play a role in the texture of these cookies, so don’t skip either of them!
(Psst! Did you forget to soften your butter ahead of time? Try my tricks for how to soften butter quickly!)
After the sugars and butters are fluffy, in goes 1 egg, vanilla and a bit of milk. Then add the dry ingredients and mix well.
To shape the cookies, grab a small cookie scoop and scoop the dough into the wells of a mini muffin pan. Kids love helping to scoop the dough, so it’s a great way to get them involved in the process.
After the cookies are baked, immediately press an unwrapped mini peanut butter cup into each cookie while they are still in the pan. Allow the cookies to cool before removing them from the pan so they maintain their cute cup shape.
These cookies are fun and easy and will be a hit with everyone at your holiday gatherings or cookie exchanges. Or freeze a batch to sneak bites of even after the holidays are over – I know I will.

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup butter softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 40 miniature chocolate-covered peanut butter cups unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Sift together the flour, salt and baking soda; set aside.
- Cream together the butter, sugar, peanut butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla and milk. Add the flour mixture; mix well.
- Use a small cookie scoop to scoop equal portions of dough into 40 wells in an ungreased mini muffin pan.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until just set. Remove from oven and immediately press a mini peanut butter cup into each ball. Cool and carefully remove from pan.
Jamie
Monday 18th of September 2023
This was a super easy recipe to make and it turned out so good! I will definitely make them more often. Great for bake sales!
Jamie
Tuesday 19th of September 2023
So glad you enjoyed these, Jamie! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your feedback. Happy baking! Jamie
cheryl naughton
Saturday 19th of September 2020
I tried this recipe and I was surprised by how easy it was and how fast I was able to create awesome treats.
I'm a big fan and I appreciate your recipes and expertise!
Jamie
Monday 28th of September 2020
So happy to hear you enjoyed the cookies, Cheryl! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback! -Jamie
Deb Carmicheal
Friday 13th of December 2019
I have been making these for years and you are so right they are super delicious. I've never added milk but will try it next time I make these cookies. Which will be very soon for Christmas gifts
Jamie
Saturday 14th of December 2019
Thanks so much for stopping by, Deb! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking! -Jamie
Carol
Friday 13th of December 2019
I have a recipe like this from an 1974 church cookbook. Those are made in a regular muffin pan and use full-size peanut butter cups.
Jamie
Saturday 14th of December 2019
Thanks so much for stopping by, Carol! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking! -Jamie
Amelia
Tuesday 6th of January 2009
What a great idea! I must make these for my peanut-buttercup-loving family! Thanks for sharing /=]