If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that’s bursting with rich, nutty flavor and has a delightful crunch hidden inside, look no further than this Peanutter Butter Cookies Recipe. With its wonderfully creamy peanut butter base and the surprise texture of crushed Nutter Butter cookies, each bite offers a perfect balance of sweet and salty, chewy and crispy. This recipe brings together simple pantry staples to create a charming, irresistible treat that’s perfect for sharing with friends or savoring with your afternoon coffee.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Peanutter Butter Cookies Recipe lies in how each basic ingredient plays a star role–from the sugars that provide sweetness and structure, to the peanut butter that gives these cookies their signature rich flavor. Every component is essential, working harmoniously to ensure these cookies come out perfectly every time.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a deep caramel note that gives the cookies a soft, chewy texture.
- White sugar: Contributes crispness and sweetness to balance the brown sugar’s richness.
- Unsalted butter: Gives a creamy, luscious flavor and helps create tender crumb.
- Crisco shortening: Adds moisture and a lighter texture, preventing cookies from spreading too much.
- Creamy peanut butter: The star of the show, providing that classic nutty flavor and luscious richness.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Large eggs: Help bind the ingredients together while adding richness.
- Vanilla extract: Introduces a warm, aromatic note that complements the peanut butter beautifully.
- Baking soda: Ensures a nice rise and lightness in the cookies.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookie dough, providing structure and chew.
- Crushed Nutter Butter cookies: Adds an extra layer of peanut butter flavor and a delightful crunch throughout each cookie.
How to Make Peanutter Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF. A fully preheated oven ensures your cookies bake evenly and achieve that perfect golden edge without drying out.
Step 2: Cream Together the Sugars, Butter, Shortening, and Peanut Butter
In a large bowl, beat the brown sugar, white sugar, unsalted butter, Crisco shortening, and creamy peanut butter until smooth and fluffy. This step is crucial as it incorporates air into the dough, giving your cookies a wonderful light texture and deep flavor.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, add the eggs and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Beat well to combine. The eggs add moisture and help the dough bind, while vanilla adds warmth and complexity to the overall flavor.
Step 4: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients Gradually
Sift together the salt, baking soda, and all-purpose flour to ensure even distribution. Slowly add these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until blended. Overmixing at this point can make the cookies tough, so be gentle.
Step 5: Fold in the Crushed Nutter Butter Cookies
Gently fold the crushed Nutter Butter cookies into the dough. This unique addition adds bursts of peanut butter crunch that make each cookie delightfully surprising.
Step 6: Shape and Coat the Cookie Dough
Use a medium cookie scoop to portion out the dough. Roll each dough ball in sugar to create a sweet, slightly crunchy coating, then place them on parchment-lined baking sheets. Resist the urge to flatten the dough with a fork; letting them bake in round balls creates a chewier center and prevents over-spreading.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies at 350ºF for 11 to 13 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the tops look set. The smell filling your kitchen at this point is simply irresistible!
How to Serve Peanutter Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies don’t need much embellishment, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate can make them extra special when serving guests. Another fun idea is to sprinkle some chopped roasted peanuts on top for added texture and nutty flavor.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a tall glass of cold milk or a creamy cup of coffee. For a grown-up twist, serve alongside a rich hot chocolate or a chilled peanut butter milkshake to boost the peanut flavor experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Try sandwiching these cookies with a dollop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream to make simple yet indulgent ice cream sandwiches. Alternatively, arrange them artfully on a dessert board with other peanut butter treats and nuts for a crowd-pleasing display.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Peanutter Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. This helps maintain their chewy texture while keeping the Nutter Butter crunch just right.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these delightful cookies longer, freeze the baked cookies in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to three months. When ready to eat, just thaw at room temperature or warm gently in the oven.
Reheating
To refresh your cookies, pop them in a preheated oven at 300ºF for about 5 minutes. This brings back that fresh-baked warmth and crispness, making them taste like they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter will add even more texture to the cookies, complementing the crushed Nutter Butter pieces for a double crunch experience.
What if I don’t have Crisco shortening? Can I substitute it?
You can use an equal amount of unsalted butter or a neutral oil like vegetable oil, but the texture might be slightly different. Shortening helps keep the cookies tender and prevents excessive spreading.
How do I crush the Nutter Butter cookies effectively?
Place the cookies in a sealed plastic bag and gently roll over them with a rolling pin until you have small pieces and crumbs. Avoid pulverizing too finely to keep that delightful crunch.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
Not as written—this recipe uses all-purpose flour and standard Nutter Butter cookies, which contain gluten. To make a gluten-free version, substitute with a gluten-free flour blend and find gluten-free peanut butter sandwich cookies.
Can I double the recipe for larger batches?
Yes! Simply double all the ingredients and bake in batches. Just make sure your oven racks are spaced well to allow proper heat circulation for even baking.
Final Thoughts
This Peanutter Butter Cookies Recipe is a treasured find that combines the nostalgic charm of peanut butter cookies with a clever twist of crunchy Nutter Butter crumbles. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make and impossible to resist. So go ahead and whip up a batch—you’ll love sharing this warm, cozy treat with those you care about.
Print
Peanutter Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 48 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these crunchy and flavorful Peanutter Butter Cookies, combining the rich creaminess of peanut butter with the nostalgic crunch of crushed Nutter Butter cookies. Perfectly soft on the inside with a sugary coating, these cookies are an irresistible treat for any peanut butter lover.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
- 1 cup white sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cup Crisco shortening
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 2 cups all purpose flour
Additional
- 16 Nutter Butter cookies (crushed with a rolling pin)
- Sugar (for rolling cookie dough balls)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350ºF to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature while you prepare the dough.
- Cream wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the brown sugar, white sugar, softened butter, shortening, and creamy peanut butter until smooth and well combined. Then add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing everything thoroughly to create a uniform base.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Sift together the salt, baking soda, and all-purpose flour. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring carefully until the dough is evenly blended. Next, fold in the crushed Nutter Butter cookies, distributing them evenly throughout the dough for added texture and flavor.
- Form and coat dough balls: Use a medium cookie scoop to portion out the dough into balls. Roll each cookie dough ball in sugar to give them a sweet, crunchy exterior once baked. Place the coated dough balls onto parchment-lined cookie sheets, spacing them apart properly. Do not flatten or press the dough with a fork, as these cookies are meant to maintain their round shape.
- Bake the cookies: Bake the prepared cookie sheets in the preheated 350ºF oven for 11 to 13 minutes. The cookies should be lightly golden on the edges but still soft in the center.
- Cool and serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This ensures they set properly and maintain the perfect chewy texture.
Notes
- Do not rush rolling the dough balls in sugar; it adds a nice crunchy texture contrasting the soft inside of the cookies.
- Be careful not to over-bake, as these cookies are best enjoyed soft and chewy.
- For an extra peanut butter punch, consider adding a handful of peanut butter chips if desired.
- Using parchment paper helps prevent sticking and makes clean-up easier.
- Crushing Nutter Butter cookies manually with a rolling pin ensures uneven pieces, adding a great crunchy bite.
