Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups

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Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups are a dreamy dessert mash-up that delivers the best of both cookie and candy worlds. Imagine a soft, chewy cookie base nestled inside a chocolate cup, topped generously with creamy peanut butter and finished off with a sprinkle of rich chocolate chips. Each bite is a delightful explosion of sweet, salty, and buttery flavors that melt in your mouth.

These cookie cups are perfect for celebrations, gifting, or satisfying your personal sweet cravings. The compact, cupcake-style presentation makes them easy to serve and a visual treat that impresses every time. Whether you’re a fan of peanut butter, chocolate, or simply love bite-sized desserts, these indulgent treats will not disappoint.

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What Kind of Peanut Butter Should I Use?

Creamy peanut butter works best for this recipe to achieve that smooth, luscious texture on top. While natural peanut butter is great for health-conscious baking, the added oils and sugars in conventional creamy peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) help create a more stable, spreadable topping. If you’re going for a richer flavor, a swirl of crunchy peanut butter can also add a fun texture.

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Ingredients for the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups

Peanut Butter: This is the hero ingredient that gives the cookie cups their rich, nutty taste.

Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips balance the sweetness and add bursts of cocoa in every bite.

Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a deeper, caramel-like sweetness to the cookie base.

Granulated Sugar: Helps with texture and sweetness, giving the cookies their classic chewiness.

Butter: Softened unsalted butter creates a tender cookie texture and complements the peanut butter perfectly.

Egg: Acts as a binder, giving the cookies structure.

Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the sweet and nutty flavors in the dough.

All-Purpose Flour: The base that holds the dough together, providing the perfect cookie texture.

Baking Soda: Leavens the dough slightly, ensuring the cookies puff up just right.

Salt: Balances all the sweet elements and enhances the chocolate and peanut flavors.

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How To Make the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups

Step 1: Prepare Your Tools and Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners. Measure out all your ingredients to ensure a smooth workflow.

Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough Base

In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well until fully combined. Gradually add the flour, baking soda, and salt, stirring until a soft dough forms. Fold in a generous amount of chocolate chips.

Step 3: Shape and Bake the Cookie Cups

Scoop about a tablespoon of dough into each muffin liner, pressing it slightly to form a shallow cup shape. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are just set.

Step 4: Add the Peanut Butter Topping

While the cookie cups are still warm, gently press the center of each cup to create a small well. Fill each well with a spoonful of creamy peanut butter. The warmth will help it melt slightly and settle in beautifully.

Step 5: Garnish and Cool

Top the peanut butter layer with a few more chocolate chips for a delightful finish. Allow the cups to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up and makes removing them easier.

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Serving and Storing Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups

Serve these cookie cups slightly warm to enjoy the soft, gooey peanut butter and melty chocolate chips at their best. They’re perfect as an afternoon treat with coffee or as a show-stopping dessert at gatherings. For an extra indulgence, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

To store, place the cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also refrigerate them to extend their shelf life to about 10 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months. Just thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave before serving.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Yes, crunchy peanut butter adds a nice texture, but make sure it’s not too dry to spread smoothly on the cookie cups.

Can I make these cookie cups ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can bake and store them in an airtight container for a few days, or freeze them until needed. Just warm them slightly before serving.

What if I don’t have a muffin tin?

You can shape the dough into thicker cookies on a baking sheet, then use a spoon to press a well in the center after baking and add the peanut butter.

How do I keep the cookie cups from sticking to the liners?

Use high-quality paper liners or lightly spray them with nonstick baking spray. Letting them cool fully before removing also helps.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking mix. Check that your other ingredients are gluten-free too.

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