Mini Peanut Butter Cup Cookies (Printable Format)

Delicious bite-sized cookies with a peanut butter center, chocolate chips, and buttery cookie dough - like a homemade version of Reese's cups in cookie form!

# What You'll Gather:

→ Dough Base

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 3/4 cup brown sugar
03 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1 egg (optional)
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
06 - 2 cups all-purpose flour

→ Peanut Butter Layer

07 - 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
08 - 1/4 cup powdered sugar

→ Mix-ins & Toppings

09 - 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
10 - 1/4 cup crushed Reese's Pieces, chopped peanuts, or mini M&Ms (optional)

→ For Finishing

11 - 1 egg yolk mixed with 1 tablespoon water (for brushing)

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners to prevent sticking and make removal easier.
02 - In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the egg (if using) and vanilla extract until well combined. Gradually add the flour and mix until a soft dough forms.
03 - In a separate bowl, beat together the peanut butter and powdered sugar until smooth and well combined. Roll this mixture into 24-30 small balls (depending on your muffin tin size) and place them in the refrigerator to chill for about 10 minutes.
04 - Take a portion of the cookie dough and press it into each muffin cup, creating a small well in the center. Place a chilled peanut butter ball in the center of each cookie cup. Top with a generous sprinkle of chocolate chips and any optional add-ins like Reese's Pieces. Add a small amount of remaining dough on top to partially cover.
05 - Brush the tops of each cookie bite with the egg yolk wash for a beautiful golden finish. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are just set.
06 - Allow the cookie bites to cool in the muffin tin for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. The peanut butter center will be gooey when warm and set more as they cool.

# Important Tips:

01 - Using a cookie scoop helps ensure all cookie bites are evenly sized for consistent baking.
02 - For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
03 - These cookie bites can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
04 - You can freeze unbaked cookie bites for up to 3 months and bake them straight from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to the baking time.
05 - For an extra decadent version, try adding chopped Reese's Peanut Butter Cups to the filling!

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