Oh my gosh, you HAVE to try these Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies! They're the perfect marriage of chewy peanut butter cookies and gooey Snickers bars - like your favorite candy bar decided to crash a cookie party. I first made these for my nephew's birthday, and now he begs for them every year. The way the caramel and peanuts melt into the warm peanut butter dough? Absolute magic.
This recipe came about one lazy Sunday when I was craving something sweet but couldn't decide between cookies or candy. Why not both? The result was these irresistible treats that disappeared faster than I could plate them. What makes them special is how the Snickers bars soften just enough in the oven, creating little pockets of caramel-chocolate-peanut bliss in every bite. Trust me, one batch never lasts long in my house!
Why You’ll Love These Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies
These cookies are pure joy in every bite, and here's why they'll become your new favorite:
- Easy to make - No fancy techniques, just simple mixing and baking
- Perfect flavor balance - Sweet caramel meets salty peanut butter in perfect harmony
- Total crowd-pleaser - Kids and adults go crazy for these at parties
- Surprise inside - The hidden Snickers center makes every bite exciting
- Great for gifting - Package them up cute and watch people's faces light up
Honestly, I've never brought these anywhere without someone asking for the recipe. They're that good!
Ingredients for Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies
Gathering the right ingredients makes all the difference with these cookies. Here's what you'll need:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened - Room temperature blends better!
- 1 cup peanut butter - Creamy or crunchy both work great
- 1 cup packed brown sugar - Pack it in firmly for that rich molasses flavor
- 1 cup granulated sugar - For that perfect cookie sweetness
- 2 large eggs - Helps bind everything together
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - Pure vanilla makes all the difference
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour - The base of our cookie dough
- 1 teaspoon baking soda - Gives just the right amount of lift
- ½ teaspoon salt - Balances all that sweetness
- 48 mini Snickers bars - The star of the show!
See? Nothing too fancy - just good quality ingredients that create magic together. Now let's get mixing!
Equipment You’ll Need
You probably have most of this in your kitchen already - here's what you'll want to grab:
- Large mixing bowl - For combining all that peanut buttery goodness
- Baking sheets - At least two, because these cookies disappear fast!
- Parchment paper - Lifesaver for easy cleanup
- Measuring cups and spoons - Precision matters with baking
- Electric mixer - A hand mixer works great, but a wooden spoon and elbow grease do too
- Spatula - For scraping every last bit of dough
That's it! Now we're ready to make some cookie magic.
How to Make Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies
Ready to make the most addictive cookies ever? Follow these simple steps and you'll be biting into peanut butter-Snickers heaven in no time. The secret is in the technique - don't rush the process and you'll be rewarded with perfect cookies every time.
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars
First things first - preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Now, grab that softened butter (it should give slightly when pressed) and beat it with the peanut butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. This is where the magic starts! Creaming for 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer creates tiny air pockets that make your cookies tender. "Looks like peanut butter clouds," my niece always says when it's done right.
Step 2: Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition - this prevents the batter from breaking. Then mix in that gorgeous vanilla extract. The batter should be smooth and slightly glossy now. Pro tip from my baking fails: if your eggs are cold, dunk them in warm water for 5 minutes first. Room temp ingredients just blend better!
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Now, add this to your peanut butter mixture about 1 cup at a time, mixing just until combined after each addition. Don't overmix here - a few flour streaks are fine as they'll disappear when you shape the dough. Overmixing makes tough cookies, and nobody wants that!
Step 4: Assemble and Bake
Time for the fun part! Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough, flatten it slightly in your palm, then place a mini Snickers in the center. Carefully wrap the dough around the candy, rolling it gently between your palms to form a smooth ball. Place cookies 2 inches apart on your prepared sheets - they'll spread while baking. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are golden but centers still look slightly soft. They'll firm up as they cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to racks.
Tips for Perfect Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies
After making these cookies more times than I can count, here are my foolproof tips for Snickers peanut butter cookie perfection:
- Butter matters: Seriously, let it soften naturally - microwaved butter makes greasy cookies
- Watch the clock: Pull cookies out when edges are golden but centers look underdone - they keep cooking on the hot sheet
- Freeze extras: Shape dough balls around Snickers and freeze them raw - bake straight from frozen (add 1-2 minutes)
- Size consistency: Use a cookie scoop for even portions so they bake uniformly
- The cool down: Resist eating them hot! Letting cookies rest 5 minutes prevents candy lava burns
Follow these, and you'll get that perfect soft-chewy texture with melty Snickers centers every time!
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
Want to mix things up? Here are my favorite ways to play with this recipe while keeping that amazing texture:
- Nut butter swap: Almond butter works beautifully, but the cookies will spread more
- Candy change-up: Try mini Milky Ways or Rolos instead of Snickers - different gooey center!
- Gluten-free option: Use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend (the texture stays perfect)
- Extra crunch: Mix in ½ cup chopped peanuts for added texture
- Chocolate boost: Add ¼ cup cocoa powder to the dough for double chocolate delight
Just remember - anything that changes the fat content (like different nut butters) might affect how much they spread. My advice? Stick to the original first, then get creative!
Storing and Freezing Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies
These cookies stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days - if they last that long! For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in single layers between parchment for up to 3 months. My favorite trick? Freeze the dough balls with Snickers already wrapped inside - just bake straight from frozen (add 1-2 extra minutes). A quick 10-second zap in the microwave makes day-old cookies taste freshly baked again. Pro tip: Hide some in the back of the freezer for emergency sweet cravings!
Nutritional Information
Now, let's be real - we're not eating Snickers peanut butter cookies for their health benefits! But if you're curious about what you're indulging in, here's the scoop. Each cookie packs that perfect combo of protein from the peanut butter, quick energy from the sugars, and pure happiness from the chocolate and caramel. The exact numbers can vary depending on your specific ingredients (like which peanut butter brand you use or how big you make your cookies), but that's not really the point, is it?
Nutritional values are estimates and vary based on ingredients used. My philosophy? Life's too short to stress over cookie calories - just enjoy every melty, peanut-buttery bite! If you're watching portions, I recommend sharing... or not. No judgment here!
FAQs About Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies
Can I use regular-sized Snickers instead of minis?
You bet! Just chop full-size Snickers into quarters - each piece should be about the size of a mini. Be careful not to overfill, though, or your cookies might explode their chocolatey guts while baking.
Why do my cookies spread too much?
Usually this means your butter was too soft or your dough got warm. Chill the shaped dough balls for 30 minutes before baking if it's a hot day. Also, make sure you're using enough flour - measure by spooning into cups and leveling off.
Can I make these without peanut butter?
Absolutely! Sunflower seed butter works great for nut-free versions. The texture stays perfect, though the flavor changes slightly. My niece's school actually prefers this version for allergy-friendly treats.
How do I know when they're done baking?
Look for golden edges and set centers - the tops will still look slightly soft. They'll firm up as they cool. If you wait until they look "done" in the oven, you'll end up with hockey pucks instead of soft, chewy cookies!
Can I double this recipe?
Of course! I do it all the time for bake sales. Just mix in two batches if your bowl isn't huge - overfilling makes it hard to incorporate ingredients evenly. The dough freezes beautifully too, so you can bake some now and save some for later.
Final Thoughts
Okay, now it's your turn - go make these Snickers peanut butter cookies and watch the magic happen! I'd love to hear how yours turn out. Tag me when you bake them so I can see your delicious creations. Happy baking, friends!
Print
Irresistible Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies You'll Love
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 48 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious peanut butter cookies stuffed with mini Snickers bars for a sweet and satisfying treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 48 mini Snickers bars, unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
- Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually mix into the peanut butter mixture.
- Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Flatten each ball and place a mini Snickers in the center. Fold dough around the Snickers and reshape into a ball.
- Place cookies 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are golden.
- Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks.
Notes
- Use room-temperature butter for easier mixing.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freeze unbaked dough balls for later use.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Snickers, peanut butter, cookies, dessert, baking
Leave a Reply