Easy Valentine Cookie Cups Recipe

Introduction

These Easy Valentine Cookie Cups combine the rich flavors of peanut butter and chocolate in a delightful bite-sized treat. Perfect for sharing with loved ones or enjoying as a festive snack, they offer a charming twist on classic cookies with a fun, heart-themed topping.

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 30 miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
• Jumbo heart sprinkles, as needed

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a mini muffin pan to prevent sticking.
2. Step 2: Beat together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until well combined.
3. Step 3: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.
4. Step 4: Add baking soda and mix briefly to distribute evenly throughout the dough.
5. Step 5: Stir in the all-purpose flour just until combined; the dough will be soft and slightly sticky.
6. Step 6: Roll the dough into 1-tablespoon balls and place one ball into each cavity of the prepared mini muffin pan.
7. Step 7: Bake the cookie dough balls for 8 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
8. Step 8: Immediately after baking, press one miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup into the center of each hot cookie.
9. Step 9: Once the chocolate softens slightly, press a jumbo heart sprinkle onto each peanut butter cup for decoration.
10. Step 10: Refrigerate the pan for 10 to 15 minutes to set the chocolate and make removal easier.
11. Step 11: Carefully remove the cookie cups from the pan and serve.

Tips & Variations

• Use regular creamy peanut butter rather than natural for the best texture and flavor.
• Miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are essential; bite-size ones are too small to work well.
• Avoid overbaking to keep the centers soft and chewy; cookies should look slightly underdone when removed.
• Thoroughly grease the pan to ensure the cookie cups release cleanly after chilling.
• For a festive twist, try swapping heart sprinkles for red or pink colored sugar.

Storage

Store leftover cookie cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To enjoy warm, allow them to come to room temperature or microwave briefly for about 10 seconds. The chocolate topping may soften more quickly when warmed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use natural peanut butter instead of creamy peanut butter?

It’s best to use regular creamy peanut butter because natural peanut butter has a different consistency and oil separation that can affect the dough texture and baking results.

Can I make these cookie cups ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. After baking and decorating, keep the cookie cups refrigerated until ready to serve.

Easy Valentine Cookie Cups Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 98 reviews

Delight in these easy and adorable Valentine Cookie Cups made with creamy peanut butter cookie dough and topped with miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and jumbo heart sprinkles. Perfectly soft with a sweet chocolate center, these cookie cups are a festive treat that come together quickly and are sure to impress at any celebration.

• Author: Isla
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Total Time: 33 minutes
• Yield: 30 mini cookie cups 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour

Topping

• 30 miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
• Jumbo heart sprinkles, as needed

Instructions

1. Prepare Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a mini muffin pan to ensure the cookie cups will release easily after baking.
2. Cream Butter, Peanut Butter, and Sugars: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
3. Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract thoroughly until the batter is smooth and uniform in texture.
4. Add Baking Soda: Stir in the baking soda briefly, distributing it evenly throughout the dough.
5. Add Flour: Fold in the all-purpose flour just until combined. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky but manageable.
6. Shape Dough: Roll the dough into 1-tablespoon balls and place one ball into each cavity of the prepared mini muffin pan, forming the base for your cookie cups.
7. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes, until the edges of the cookie cups are set but the centers remain soft to the touch.
8. Add Peanut Butter Cups: Immediately upon removal from the oven, press one miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup into the center of each hot cookie so that it slightly melts and adheres.
9. Decorate: When the chocolate softens just a bit, gently press a jumbo heart sprinkle onto each Reese’s cup to create a festive look.
10. Chill: Refrigerate the entire pan for 10–15 minutes to allow the chocolate to set firmly and to help the cookie cups hold their shape.
11. Remove and Serve: Carefully pop the cookie cups out of the pan and serve immediately, enjoying the combination of creamy peanut butter and melty chocolate with a decorative touch.

Notes

• Use regular creamy peanut butter—not natural peanut butter—as it provides the right texture and sweetness.
• Use standard miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for the topping; bite-size cups are too small for this recipe.
• Do not overbake the cookie cups; the centers should look slightly underdone to maintain a soft texture.
• Refrigerate after baking to ensure clean removal from the pan and to set the chocolate properly.
• Grease the mini muffin pan thoroughly to prevent the cookies from sticking during baking and removal.

Keywords: Valentine cookie cups, peanut butter cookies, Reese’s peanut butter cups, mini muffin cookies, holiday treats, easy dessert