If you’re a fan of rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and soft cookie-style crusts, these Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Bites are about to become your new favorite treat. They taste like a gourmet version of a peanut butter cup—only thicker, softer, and more indulgent. With their perfect balance of sweetness, crunch, and melt-in-your-mouth texture, these bites make the ideal dessert for parties, after-dinner cravings, or gifting during the holidays.
This recipe requires no complicated steps, which makes it perfect even for beginners. You’ll only need a muffin tin, a few pantry staples, and about 20 minutes of hands-on time. Once the cookie bases bake, they’re filled with luscious peanut butter and topped with smooth, glossy chocolate that hardens into the perfect shell. Every bite tastes like pure bliss.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Base:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Peanut Butter Layer:
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
For the Chocolate Topping:
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon butter or coconut oil
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cookie Cups
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease a muffin tin.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until creamy.
- Add in the egg and vanilla, mixing until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Stir dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
- Scoop 1½ tablespoons of dough into each muffin cup.
- Press gently to form a shallow indentation (don’t make a hole—just flatten slightly).
2. Bake
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden.
- Remove from the oven and immediately use the back of a spoon or small cup to press a deeper well into each cookie cup.
- Allow cups to cool completely in the tin.
3. Make the Peanut Butter Filling
- In a bowl, mix peanut butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add about 1 teaspoon of filling into each cooled cookie cup.
- Spread or flatten slightly so the chocolate topping can sit evenly.
4. Prepare the Chocolate Topping
- Melt chocolate chips with the butter or coconut oil in the microwave at 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Spoon melted chocolate over each peanut butter-filled cup, spreading to the edges.
5. Chill and Serve
- Refrigerate for 20–30 minutes until the chocolate topping sets.
- Gently remove each cookie bite from the muffin tin.
- Enjoy chilled or at room temperature.
Storage Tips
- Room temperature: Up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Refrigerated: Up to 1 week.
- Frozen: Store in freezer bags for up to 2 months.
These treats freeze beautifully—perfect for make-ahead holiday desserts!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy and beginner-friendly
- Uses simple pantry ingredients
- No fancy tools required
- Great for parties, gifting, or snacking
- Rich, creamy, and satisfying