Peanut Butter Cup Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Recipe

There’s just something so cozy and festive about combining peanut butter, hot chocolate, and cookies all in one bite — that’s why the Peanut Butter Cup Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Recipe is my all-time favorite for holiday gatherings. It’s like having a warm hug on a chilly day, complete with sweet, melty bites that everyone falls in love with.

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Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients & Why They Work
• Make It Your Way
• Step-by-Step: How I Make Peanut Butter Cup Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Recipe
• Top Tip
• How to Serve Peanut Butter Cup Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Recipe
• Make Ahead and Storage
• Frequently Asked Questions:
• Final Thoughts
• Peanut Butter Cup Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in the Peanut Butter Cup Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Recipe plays a role in creating that magical combination of texture and flavor. I love that it uses simple store-bought products, which means you can whip these up quickly without hunting for specialty items—making it perfect for last-minute holiday baking sessions.

• Store-bought sugar cookie dough: Convenient and reliable, it forms the perfect buttery, slightly chewy base for your cookie cups.
• Miniature Reese’s cups: Classic peanut butter and chocolate blend – the star filling that melts just right.
• White chocolate chips: Great for melting into a “glue” to hold your candy cane handles onto each cookie cup.
• Mini candy canes: Adds peppermint flavor and it’s cleverly turned into a tiny mug handle, which is both fun and festive.
• Store-bought white icing: Used for “whipped cream” topping, adding sweet, creamy decoration without extra effort.
• Marshmallow bits: These tiny marshmallows mimic the classic hot chocolate topping perfectly, found usually near hot chocolate mixes at the store.
• Holiday sprinkles: Bright colors and seasonal cheer that bring those cookie cups to life visually.

Make It Your Way

I love getting creative with the Peanut Butter Cup Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Recipe by switching up the decorations or trying different fillings. It’s such a forgiving recipe that encourages you to put your own spin on the flavor and look.

• Variation: One year, I swapped the peanut butter cups for mini salted caramel chocolates — the contrast was delightful and brought a rich twist to the cookie cups.
• Dietary Modifications: For a gluten-free treat, I’ve used gluten-free sugar cookie dough brands with great success, just keep an eye on the baking time as texture might differ.
• Seasonal Changes: Try red and green sprinkles for Christmas or pastel ones if you want to keep a festive vibe for Valentine’s or Easter.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Peanut Butter Cup Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Recipe

Step 1: Shape the Cookie Cups

First things first — preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly spray a mini muffin pan with non-stick spray. Then unwrap the sugar cookie dough and break it apart into 24 pieces, pressing each piece gently into the mini muffin cups. I usually take a small square of wax paper and press down with my fingers in the cookie dough’s center to create a perfect little cup shape, but you can also use the end of a wooden spoon for this. This indentation is key because it will hold the Reese’s cup later without spilling over. Bake for about 13 minutes until they turn slightly golden around the edges but still soft enough to maintain shape.

Step 2: Prepare Your Decorations

While the cookies bake, it’s the perfect time to get your decorations ready. Unwrap all your miniature Reese’s cups, and trim the candy cane hooks off with a serrated knife — these curved hooks will become the “handles” for our cookie cup mugs. Keep the straight parts of the candy canes; those will act as peppermint stir sticks later. Fill a piping bag with store-bought white icing for the whipped cream look, and have your marshmallow bits and sprinkles out and ready to go.

Step 3: Add the Peanut Butter Cups with Peppermint Sticks

As soon as your cookie cups come out of the oven, gently press one miniature Reese’s cup into the center of each cookie cup while they’re warm (this helps them slightly melt, so they stick perfectly). Then insert the peppermint “stir stick” at a slight angle inside each cookie cup. Let everything cool for at least 20 minutes — this resting time helps your cookie cups firm up just right before decorating.

Step 4: Attach Your Candy Cane Handles

Now, melt just 1 tablespoon of the white chocolate chips to create a sticky glue. Using this “glue,” carefully attach each candy cane handle to the side of the cookie cup. It’s a delicate step—handle the candy cane hooks gently, as they can snap easily. Set the cookie cups aside for at least 10 minutes to allow the chocolate to harden and secure the handles firmly.

Step 5: Decorate Your Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups

Finally, pipe small dollops of white icing on top of each peanut butter cup to mimic whipped cream bubbling over hot chocolate. Sprinkle marshmallow bits and festive holiday sprinkles on top to complete the look. These small touches make the cookie cups look irresistible — like tiny cups of holiday magic!

How to Serve Peanut Butter Cup Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Recipe

Garnishes

I like to stick with classic peppermint sticks and mini marshmallow bits for garnish because they evoke that cozy hot chocolate feel. Sometimes I sneak in crushed candy canes on top for an extra pop of peppermint crunch—it's a simple addition that really elevates the experience.

Side Dishes

These cookie cups pair beautifully with a warm mug of actual hot chocolate or coffee for those who want to double down on the chocolatey goodness. For holiday parties, I usually serve them alongside gingerbread cookies or spiced nuts to mix up textures and flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive touch, I like to arrange the Peanut Butter Cup Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Recipe on a holiday-themed platter lined with pine sprigs and twinkling fairy lights. Wrapping small sets in clear cellophane tied with red ribbons also makes adorable gifts guests can take home.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature, which keeps them soft and delicious for up to a week. Refrigerating generally makes the cookies tough and less enjoyable, so I avoid that whenever possible.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the cookie cups successfully by first arranging them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freezing until firm, and then transferring to freezer-safe bags. When you’re ready, thaw at room temperature for a few hours—perfect for prepping ahead of holiday events!

Reheating

If you want to warm up the cookie cups, I gently heat them in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes, just enough to soften the cookie and slightly melt the peanut butter cup without ruining the icing decorations. Be careful to not overheat or the candy cane handles could soften.

Final Thoughts

I can’t tell you how many smiles I’ve seen when friends and family bite into these Peanut Butter Cup Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Recipe treats for the first time. They’re easy to make, visually delightful, and deliver that perfect cozy combo of peanut butter, chocolate, and peppermint we all crave during the holidays. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become your go-to for festive celebrations and a wonderful way to create warm memories in your kitchen.

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