If you are a fan of peanut butter and Snickers candy bars, you are in for an incredible treat with this Snickers-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe. Imagine a soft, chewy peanut butter cookie with a gooey, melty Snickers center that surprises you with every bite. This recipe is a perfect blend of salty, sweet, and nutty flavors wrapped into one delightful cookie that’s sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, everyday ingredients is the key to making these cookies spectacular. Each component adds its own magic—from the rich peanut butter giving these cookies their signature flavor to the buttery base ensuring a tender texture, every ingredient matters.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter provides richness and keeps the cookies tender and moist.
- Creamy peanut butter: Adds that unmistakable nutty flavor and creamy texture that makes the cookie irresistible.
- Granulated sugar: Balances the saltiness with sweetness and helps achieve a slight crunch on the outside.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a depth of caramel flavor, enhancing the overall taste.
- Large egg: Binds ingredients together while contributing to the cookie’s chewy texture.
- Vanilla extract: Elevates all the flavors with its warm, aromatic notes.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for structure in the cookies, creating the perfect soft yet sturdy base.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and spread just enough.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the peanut butter flavor.
- Mini Snickers bars: The star ingredient for that melty, caramel-nougat center that makes these cookies unforgettable.
- Optional granulated sugar for rolling: Adds an extra touch of sparkle and slight crunch to the cookie’s exterior.
How to Make Snickers-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preparing Your Oven and Baking Sheet
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cream Butter, Peanut Butter, and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial as it incorporates air, helping the cookies rise just slightly and developing their tender texture.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla Extract
Beat in a large egg and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. The egg acts as a binder while the vanilla adds a lovely depth of flavor that complements both the peanut butter and Snickers perfectly.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients Separately
In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients separately ensures even distribution, which is essential for consistent texture and flavor throughout your cookies.
Step 5: Create the Cookie Dough
Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep your cookies tender and chewy rather than tough.
Step 6: Stuff the Dough with Mini Snickers
Scoop out about a tablespoon of dough and flatten it slightly in your palm. Place one mini Snickers bar in the center, then carefully wrap the dough around to seal the candy inside. Roll it into a smooth ball to ensure no chocolate will leak during baking.
Step 7: Optional Sugar Coating and Baking
If you like a slight crunch and sparkle on your cookies, roll each dough ball lightly in granulated sugar before placing them on the prepared baking sheet. Then bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges turn lightly golden while the centers remain soft and slightly underdone for that perfect gooey texture.
Step 8: Cooling the Cookies
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes so they firm up slightly, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps preserve the soft texture and lets the Snickers filling settle beautifully inside.
How to Serve Snickers-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are delicious all on their own, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate on top can add an extra fancy touch. You could even sprinkle some finely chopped peanuts for added crunch and a rustic look.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The rich peanut butter and caramel notes in the cookie complement creamy, cool desserts beautifully, creating a decadent but balanced treat.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun party idea, stack the Snickers-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe into a cookie tower or serve alongside fresh fruit for a colorful contrast. Wrapping each cookie individually with a small ribbon makes them perfect for gifting or sharing.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They remain soft and fresh for up to five days, though they rarely last that long because they are simply irresistible.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking, just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in a zip-top freezer bag. When ready, bake them straight from frozen by adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. Finished cookies freeze well too, perfect for enjoying later without sacrificing any flavor or texture.
Reheating
To warm up refrigerated or frozen baked cookies, pop them into the microwave for about 10 seconds or heat them briefly in a 300°F oven until they are soft and slightly gooey again, bringing back that fresh-baked joy of the Snickers-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter will add an extra layer of texture to these cookies, making each bite pockets of smooth, nutty flavor with crunchy surprises. Just be aware the dough might be a bit more textured.
What if I can’t find mini Snickers bars?
Don’t worry! You can cut regular-sized Snickers bars into smaller chunks or substitute with other favorite chocolate-nut candies. Just be sure they’re wrapped in individual portions or cut appropriately to fit inside the cookie dough.
How do I avoid the Snickers melting out during baking?
Sealing the dough tightly around each candy is key. Make sure the mini Snickers are completely covered with dough and rolled into a snug ball. This keeps the filling inside as it melts, creating that lovely surprise instead of a mess.
Can I make these cookies vegan or dairy-free?
With some ingredient swaps, yes! Use plant-based butter and peanut butter that’s dairy-free, and replace the egg with a flax egg or applesauce. The texture might differ slightly, but the cookies will still be delicious.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh for about five days. If you want them longer, freezing is your best bet without compromising taste or texture.
Final Thoughts
Trying this Snickers-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe is like gifting yourself a moment of pure indulgence, combining two beloved flavors in the most delightful way. Once you experience the gooey, nutty center encased in a tender, sugary cookie, you’ll understand why it’s such a crowd-pleaser. Go ahead, bake a batch and share the love — these cookies are meant to be enjoyed with a big smile and maybe even a second helping.
Print
Snickers-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Indulge in these irresistible Snickers-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies. Soft, chewy peanut butter cookies are perfectly filled with melty mini Snickers bars, creating a delightful surprise in every bite. With a hint of vanilla and a sugary crust, these cookies are a perfect treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
Filling and Topping
- 16–20 mini Snickers bars, unwrapped
- Optional: Extra granulated sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure easy removal and cleanup.
- Cream Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This creates the base of the cookie dough.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture until everything is well combined and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Prepare Dough Balls: Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and flatten it in your hand. Place one mini Snickers bar in the center and wrap the dough around it carefully, sealing the edges fully. Roll the dough into a smooth ball.
- Optional Sugar Coating: If desired, roll each dough ball in extra granulated sugar for a sweet, crunchy exterior, then place them on the prepared baking sheet with some space in between.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes. The edges should turn lightly golden while the centers may still look slightly underdone. This ensures a soft and chewy texture with a gooey Snickers center.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Make sure to fully seal the dough around the Snickers bars to prevent the chocolate from leaking during baking.
- If you prefer, substitute mini Snickers with other mini candy bars like Milky Way or Twix for different flavors.
- For a crunchier cookie, bake an extra 1-2 minutes but be careful not to overbake to keep the centers soft.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Gluten-free flour can be used as a substitute if you want to make these cookies gluten-free.
