Dessert

Peanut Butter Candy Cookies Recipe

ByElara Stone January 14, 2026January 14, 2026

Introduction

These Peanut Butter Candy Cookies combine a soft, rich peanut butter cookie base with a creamy peanut butter glaze and colorful candy toppings. They’re perfect for anyone who loves a sweet, nutty treat with a fun crunch. Easy to make and irresistibly tasty, they’re sure to be a hit at any gathering.

The image shows several thick, round cookies with a cracked, rough-textured light brown base layer. Each cookie has a smooth, creamy tan frosting layer on top, slightly rounded and thicker in the center, giving a soft look. Brightly colored candy pieces are arranged in small clusters on the frosting, with shiny reds, greens, blues, yellows, oranges, and browns, adding vivid contrast. The cookies are placed closely together on a black wire cooling rack, which sits on a white marbled surface. The scene is bright and clear, capturing the textures and colors sharply. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

¾ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter (or crunchy)
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (measured correctly)
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup creamy peanut butter (for glaze)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted, for glaze)
6 tablespoons confectioners sugar (for glaze)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)
Reese’s Pieces candies (for topping)
M&M Candies (for topping)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or using it ungreased.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, peanut butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined and smooth.
Step 3: Add the flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be sure to measure your flour correctly by fluffing, spooning into the measuring cup, and leveling it off to avoid dry or crumbly cookies.
Step 4: Using an ice cream scoop or large cookie scoop, portion the dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Leave enough space as the cookies will spread; six cookies per sheet is ideal. Optionally, add extra chocolate chips on top.
Step 5: Bake the cookies for 12 to 14 minutes at 350°F (175°C), until edges are lightly golden.
Step 6: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 2 to 3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 7: For the peanut butter glaze, whisk together 1 cup peanut butter and melted butter in a medium bowl. Add the confectioners sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and spreadable. If needed, warm the glaze slightly in the microwave to achieve a drizzling consistency.
Step 8: Spread or pipe the glaze over each cooled cookie. Immediately top with Reese’s Pieces or M&M candies as desired.
Step 9: Let the glaze set before serving or storing the cookies.

Tips & Variations

Make sure to measure flour using the spoon-and-level method to keep cookies soft and moist.
Swap Reese’s Pieces or M&M’s for chopped peanuts or chocolate chips for a different texture.
If you prefer crunchy peanut butter, it adds a nice contrast to the smooth glaze.
Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Storage

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. The glaze will remain soft but firm up slightly. For longer storage, freeze the unglazed cookies and add glaze and candy toppings after thawing. To reheat, warm gently in the microwave for a few seconds to soften the glaze.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a stack of cookies on a white plate, each cookie having two layers: the bottom layer is crumbly and light brown, while the top layer is smooth and creamy, beige colored, with bright candy-coated chocolate pieces in red, yellow, green, orange, blue, and brown scattered on top. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, highlighting the colorful candies and the texture of the cookies. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that measures 1:1 for regular flour. Be sure to check the blend contains xanthan gum or add it if needed for texture.