Snickers-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
If you’re ready to combine the comfort of a classic peanut butter cookie with the irresistible decadence of a candy bar center, these Snickers-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies are about to become your new favorite treat. Imagine biting into a tender, chewy peanut butter cookie only to discover a gooey, chocolatey, caramel-filled surprise inside. They’re easy enough for a weeknight bake but impressive enough to wow a crowd, making them the perfect blend of nostalgia and indulgence.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Snickers-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies lies in their simplicity. Each ingredient is carefully chosen to create the perfect balance of soft, chewy cookie and melty, candy-filled center. Here’s what you’ll need and why:
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure and ensures a soft yet sturdy cookie that can hold the stuffed center.
- Baking soda: Gives the cookies a little lift and helps them spread just enough.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and makes all the flavors pop.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and helps create that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated sugar: Gives the cookies their classic sweetness and a bit of crispness around the edges.
- Brown sugar (packed): Adds moisture and a lovely hint of caramel flavor.
- Creamy peanut butter: The star of the show, bringing nutty depth and creamy texture to every bite.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and contributes to the cookie’s chewiness.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor and brings out the best in the peanut butter and chocolate.
- Fun-size Snickers bars (halved or whole): The irresistible candy center that melts into gooey perfection as the cookies bake.
- Coarse sea salt (optional): A sprinkle on top adds a delightful crunch and balances the sweet and salty flavors.
How to Make Snickers-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together your flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. This step ensures that the leavening and seasoning are evenly distributed, giving your cookies a uniform rise and balanced flavor in every bite.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2–3 minutes and is key for creating that classic, soft cookie texture. The mixture should look pale and slightly airy.
Step 3: Mix in the Wet Ingredients
Add the creamy peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract to your butter-sugar mixture. Mix until everything is well combined and smooth, ensuring that each cookie is packed with peanut butter goodness and a hint of vanilla warmth.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Gradually add in the dry ingredients, stirring just until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix — stopping as soon as everything is combined helps keep the cookies tender and chewy.
Step 5: Stuff and Shape the Cookies
Scoop about 1½ tablespoons of dough into your palm and flatten it gently. Place a Snickers piece in the center, then wrap the dough around it, sealing the edges completely. Roll into a ball and place on your prepared baking sheet, making sure to leave room for spreading. Repeat with the rest of the dough — this is where the magic of Snickers-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies really comes together!
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes, just until the edges are golden and the centers are set. If you love a salty-sweet combo, sprinkle a bit of coarse sea salt on top while they’re still warm. Let them cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring to a wire rack. The hardest part? Waiting to take that first gooey bite!
How to Serve Snickers-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies
Garnishes
A light sprinkle of coarse sea salt right after baking elevates these cookies from delicious to unforgettable. You could also drizzle some melted chocolate or a dusting of powdered sugar for a festive touch, but honestly, these beauties are showstoppers all on their own.
Side Dishes
Pair your Snickers-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies with a tall glass of cold milk for the ultimate nostalgic treat. They’re also fantastic alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa for those cozy afternoons.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack these cookies in a clear jar as a homemade gift, or arrange them on a rustic wooden board with other candy-studded treats for a dessert buffet. For parties, try serving them warm with a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce — trust me, your guests will swoon!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Snickers-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. They’ll stay soft and delicious, with the candy center remaining perfectly gooey.
Freezing
To freeze, let the cookies cool completely, then layer them between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep their flavor and texture for up to three months. For an extra treat, try freezing unbaked dough balls (stuffed with Snickers) and bake straight from the freezer when a craving hits.
Reheating
If you want that fresh-from-the-oven experience, reheat your cookies in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds. This brings the Snickers center back to its perfectly melty state — just like they were freshly baked!
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter adds a delightful texture to Snickers-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies, giving you little peanut bits in every bite. Just make sure to use the same amount for best results.
What if I only have regular-sized Snickers bars?
You can simply cut regular Snickers bars into bite-sized pieces that fit comfortably inside the dough. Aim for pieces about 1 inch in length so the cookies are easy to seal and bake evenly.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
For this recipe, chilling isn’t necessary, but if your kitchen is very warm or you want thicker cookies, a quick 20-minute chill in the fridge can help prevent spreading. Chilling also makes the dough easier to handle if you plan to stuff all the cookies at once.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour and check that your other ingredients (especially the candy bars) are gluten-free. The cookies may have a slightly different texture but will still be delicious.
How do I keep the Snickers from melting out of the cookie?
Seal the dough tightly around each Snickers piece, making sure there are no gaps. For best results, freeze the Snickers pieces for 15–20 minutes before stuffing — this helps them hold their shape while baking and keeps the filling extra gooey.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a cookie that’s both nostalgic and over-the-top, you absolutely need to try Snickers-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies. They’re a little bit playful, a lot indulgent, and guaranteed to make you the hero of any gathering. Grab your ingredients, preheat that oven, and get ready for a baking adventure you’ll want to repeat again and again!
Print
Snickers-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these indulgent Snickers-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies, combining creamy peanut butter dough with gooey Snickers candy bars for a perfect chewy, sweet treat with a hint of salty crunch.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling and Topping
- 12 fun-size Snickers bars (halved or whole, depending on size)
- Coarse sea salt for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined, setting aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes, which builds air for a tender cookie.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the creamy peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, creating a smooth, cohesive dough.
- Combine Dry and Wet: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
- Shape and Stuff: Scoop about 1½ tablespoons of dough and flatten it slightly in your palm. Place a Snickers piece in the center, then wrap the dough completely around it to seal. Roll the dough into a ball and place on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Repeat with all dough and candy pieces.
- Bake: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set. Optionally, sprinkle a pinch of coarse sea salt over the warm cookies for a delightful sweet-salty balance.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up slightly before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they hold their shape.
Notes
- For an extra gooey center, freeze the Snickers pieces for 15–20 minutes before stuffing into the dough.
- These cookies freeze well after baking; rewarm slightly before serving to enjoy melty centers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
