Description
Melted Snowman Cookies are soft and chewy peanut butter cookies topped with miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups and decorated with white chocolate to resemble adorable snowmen. These festive cookies are perfect for holiday baking, combining rich peanut butter flavor with sweet white chocolate and playful decorations to delight kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 16 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 cup, melted)
- 1 cup light brown sugar (lightly packed)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (plus extra for rolling)
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/8 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
Toppings & Decoration
- 12 ounces miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups (1 bag, unwrapped)
- 8 ounces Reese’s minis (smaller than miniature ones, unwrapped)
- Orange jimmies sprinkles
- Mini chocolate chips
- 1 (11-ounce) bag white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare Sheet Pan: Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone liner and set it aside for baking the cookies.
- Make Cookie Dough - Melt Butter and Mix Sugars: Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and allow it to cool to room temperature so it won't melt the sugars. Scrape the butter into a large bowl, add the brown and granulated sugars, and whisk until smooth.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the creamy peanut butter, almond extract (if using), and vanilla extract until combined. Add one egg and mix until incorporated, then add the second egg and mix again just until combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Sprinkle in the baking soda and salt, mixing until just incorporated. Gradually add the flour and fold it in gently, being careful not to overmix the dough.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes to help the cookies hold their shape during baking.
- Preheat Oven and Shape Cookies: Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Scoop cookie dough into large balls, about 3 tablespoons each. Optionally, roll dough balls in granulated sugar and place six on the prepared baking sheet, spacing well for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 8–14 minutes. The cookies should be slightly underbaked for a soft and chewy texture as they will continue cooking on the hot sheet after removal. Avoid overbaking.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Add Peanut Butter Cups: When cookies are nearly cool but slightly warm, gently press an unwrapped miniature peanut butter cup into the center. If fully cooled, attach the cups using melted white chocolate instead.
- Melt White Chocolate: Melt white chocolate chips in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth.
- Decorate Cookies: Spoon melted white chocolate over the Reese’s cups to coat and smooth with gentle tapping, adding a second layer if needed.
- Create Snowman Hats: Using a serrated knife warmed under hot water, cut off the base of a miniature peanut butter cup. Attach a smaller Reese’s mini cup as a hat top using melted white chocolate, repeating for all hats.
- Assemble Snowmen: Press the hat onto the top of the peanut butter cup “head” on each cookie while the chocolate is still wet. Place two mini chocolate chips upside down below the hat as eyes, and add an orange sprinkle below as the nose.
- Set Decorations: Allow the decorated cookies to set at room temperature until the white chocolate hardens.
Notes
- Use creamy peanut butter for smooth dough; chunky peanut butter may affect texture.
- Almond extract is optional but adds a subtle nutty flavor enhancing the peanut butter.
- Be careful not to overmix the dough to keep cookies tender and chewy.
- Melt white chocolate gently to avoid burning and maintain smooth texture.
- Orange jimmies sprinkles act as snowman noses adding a festive touch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
