How to Make Adorable Watermelon Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookie Cups: The Ultimate Summer Treat
Summer is synonymous with vibrant colors, refreshing fruits, and outdoor gatherings. What better way to celebrate the season than with a treat that captures all that joy in a single, bite-sized package? Forget your traditional peanut butter cup cookies for a moment, because we’re about to transform them into the most adorable, eye-catching watermelon cookie cups you’ve ever seen! This simple yet ingenious hack is perfect for summer parties, backyard BBQs, or as delightful party favors for a themed watermelon celebration.
In this comprehensive, step-by-step tutorial, we’ll guide you through the process of turning ordinary white Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups into colorful, festive watermelon cookies. You’ll learn how to use food coloring to create the signature pink and green hues, and a black food marker to add those iconic watermelon seeds. Get ready to impress your friends and family with these irresistibly cute and incredibly easy-to-make desserts!
Why Watermelon Cookie Cups Are the Perfect Summer Dessert
If there’s one cookie that consistently tops my family’s favorite list, it’s the classic peanut butter cookie cup. We bake countless batches every Christmas, and they have a magical way of disappearing almost instantly. This beloved treat forms the foundation of our watermelon creation, making it an instant hit with anyone who loves the combination of soft peanut butter cookie and creamy chocolate.
The idea of decorating these versatile cookie cups began last Halloween, leading to fun creations like easy eyeball cookies, draw-your-own cookies, and festive Christmas holly cookie cups. The beauty of this method lies in using the candy peanut butter cup itself as the “canvas,” rather than spending hours on intricate royal icing decorations. This makes for incredibly easy and quick cookie decorating, allowing you to whip up impressive treats without the fuss. Our watermelon cookie cups leverage this same decorating ease, turning a simple cookie into a summer masterpiece in minutes.
These watermelon cookie cups aren’t just easy; they’re incredibly versatile. They serve as fantastic centerpieces for a summer dessert table, delightful take-home gifts, or simply a fun baking project to do with kids. The bright colors and playful design instantly evoke the carefree spirit of summer, making them a memorable addition to any event. Plus, who can resist a treat that combines the irresistible flavors of peanut butter and chocolate with the refreshing look of a juicy watermelon?
Essential Ingredients for Your Watermelon Masterpiece
Creating these adorable watermelon cookie cups requires a few key ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry or can easily find at any grocery store. The magic truly happens when these simple components come together.
- Peanut Butter Cookie Dough (recipe provided below): The heart of our cookie cup! We’ll provide a delicious recipe, but for a quick hack, you could even use a store-bought peanut butter cookie mix if you’re short on time. However, for the best flavor and texture, our homemade recipe is highly recommended.
- Miniature White Peanut Butter Cups: This is where the watermelon transformation truly begins! The white chocolate provides a neutral canvas that readily accepts food coloring, allowing the vibrant pink and green to shine through. Make sure they are the miniature size for perfect cookie cup proportions.
- Pink & Green Food Coloring: Gel food coloring is strongly recommended over liquid food coloring. Gel colors are more concentrated, producing richer, more vibrant hues without adding excess moisture that can thin out your “paint.” You’ll want a bright pink for the watermelon flesh and a distinct green for the rind.
- Black Food Marker: Essential for adding those tiny, realistic watermelon seeds. These markers are readily available in baking sections of craft stores or online. They are food-safe and easy to use, providing precise lines.
- Food-Safe Paint Brushes: You’ll need fine-tipped brushes to apply the food coloring accurately. These can be found at craft stores (often in packs of 3 for around $3) or online. Look for brands like Wilton or other food-grade options. If you don’t have one, don’t worry – we have a brilliant hack below!
Materials & Tools
Cookie Scoop (1 Tablespoon)
Food Coloring (Pink & Green Gel)
Food Marker (Black)
Food Paint Brush
Mini White Peanut Butter Cups
How to Make Your Own Watermelon Cookie Cups: A Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you have all your ingredients and tools ready, let’s dive into the fun part: making these adorable watermelon cookie cups! Follow these steps carefully for the best results.
Step 1: Prepare & Bake Your Cookie Dough
Begin by preparing your peanut butter cookie dough according to the recipe provided below. Once the dough is ready, use a 1 tablespoon-sized cookie scoop to portion out even balls of dough. Roll each scoop into a smooth ball with your hands, then place them into a greased mini muffin tin. Greasing the tin is crucial to prevent sticking later on. Bake them according to the instructions in the recipe. The key here is to not overbake them – slightly underbaked cookies will be softer and easier to work with in later steps, preventing crumbling.
Step 2: Press in the Reese’s Cup
As soon as you remove the mini muffin tin from the oven, while the cookies are still warm and soft, immediately unwrap and press one miniature white peanut butter cup into the center of each warm cookie. The warmth of the cookie will slightly melt the chocolate, allowing it to conform perfectly to the cookie cup shape. Leave the cookies in the muffin tin and let them cool at room temperature until the pan is cool enough to handle.
Step 3: Chill for Firmness
Once the pan has cooled down, place it in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. This step is essential! Chilling helps the chocolate Reese’s cups re-harden completely, which is vital for clean, precise cuts in the next stage. Attempting to cut them before they are firm will result in messy, crumbly cookies.
Step 4: Gently Cut Each Cookie in Half
After the cookies are completely cooled and the chocolate is re-hardened, use a spoon to gently scoop them out of the muffin tin. Now, carefully use a sharp knife to GENTLY cut each cookie cup in half. This is where the importance of not overbaking comes into play; if your cookies are too crunchy, they will crumble rather than cleanly cut. A sharp knife ensures a smooth, clean cut, giving you perfect “watermelon slices.”
Step 5: Bring on the Color – Paint Your Watermelon Slices
Squeeze a few drops of pink and green gel food coloring onto a clean plate or small palette. Using your food-safe paintbrushes, begin by painting a green border around the curved edge of each cookie half, mimicking the watermelon rind. Then, fill in the middle section with pink food coloring, creating the juicy “flesh.” Take your time to create neat lines and vibrant colors. Remember to use gel food coloring for the best results and deepest hues.
Don’t have food-safe paint brushes? No problem! Here’s a quick hack: Roll a paper towel (several layers thick) into a fine point around a toothpick. This makeshift brush can be dipped into the food coloring. You might need to dip it more often as the paper towel will absorb more color. Alternatively, a Q-tip could work, though it’s best to confirm it’s technically food-safe before using.
Step 6: Let Dry & Draw On Seeds
Allow the food coloring to dry completely. This usually takes about 10-15 minutes, depending on how thickly the color was applied. Once dry to the touch, use your black food marker to draw small, triangular or teardrop-shaped seeds onto the pink “flesh” of each watermelon cookie cup. You can draw as many or as few as you like, arranging them randomly for a natural look. This final touch brings your watermelon cookies to life!
Step 7: Serve or Gift!
Your adorable watermelon cookie cups are now complete! Arrange them on a festive platter for an eye-catching display at your next summer party or picnic. For a charming party favor, package them individually in clear plastic bags, perhaps with a cute tag that says “Thanks a Melon!” These treats are sure to be a conversation starter and a memorable delight for your guests.
Tips for Success with Your Watermelon Cookie Cups
- Don’t Overbake: As mentioned, this is crucial. Slightly underbaked cookies are softer and less prone to crumbling when cut. They will continue to set as they cool.
- Chill Thoroughly: Ensure your Reese’s cups are fully re-hardened before cutting. This guarantees clean, crisp “watermelon slices.”
- Use Gel Food Coloring: For the most vibrant and concentrated colors, gel food coloring is always the best choice for decorating.
- Practice Your Painting: If you’re new to food painting, try a quick practice run on a piece of parchment paper to get a feel for the brushes and coloring consistency.
- Get Creative with Seeds: While classic black seeds are perfect, don’t be afraid to vary the size and placement to make each cookie unique.
- Storage: Store your finished watermelon cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
I mean, can you even handle the cuteness of these miniature treats? They’re an absolute showstopper and surprisingly easy to make. I’ve got a few more Reese’s decoration ideas coming soon (as well as the printable treat topper!), so stay tuned for more fun and creative cookie hacks!
Easy Watermelon Cookie Cups
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Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (¾ stick)
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 30 mini White chocolate Reese’s Peanut Butter cups
- Black Food Marker
- Pink & Green Gel Food Coloring
- Food-Safe Paint Brushes (or see alternative above in the blog post)
Before you begin! If you make this, will you do me a huge favor and leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe? This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Instructions
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In a large bowl, cream together softened unsalted butter (6 tablespoons), creamy peanut butter (½ cup), packed light brown sugar (½ cup), and granulated sugar (½ cup) with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds until light and fluffy. Add in pure vanilla extract (½ teaspoon) and large egg (1) and continue to mix for 10 seconds, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
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Add baking soda (¾ teaspoon) and mix on low speed for 10 seconds. Gradually add all-purpose flour (1 ¼ cups) and continue to mix until all flour is just incorporated, being careful not to overmix.
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Scoop and roll dough into 1 tablespoon sized balls. Place each dough ball into a greased mini muffin tin. This ensures easy removal after baking.
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Bake at 350℉ (175°C) for exactly 8 minutes. This precise baking time is the secret to achieving soft, pliable cookies. It might seem like they are too doughy after 8 minutes, and you may be tempted to put them back in the oven, but resist! They will continue to set on the cooling rack, ensuring a perfectly soft texture crucial for cutting later.
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Remove the muffin tin from the oven. Immediately, while the cookies are still hot, press one unwrapped mini Reese’s white peanut butter cup into the center of each cookie. Allow them to cool down in the pan on a wire rack. Do not remove them from the pan yet.
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Once the pan is cool enough to handle, transfer it to the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes, or until the chocolate cups are completely re-hardened. This step is crucial for clean cuts.
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Use a spoon to gently “scoop” the cookies from the greased muffin tin. The greasing done earlier will make this easy. Once removed, place each cookie cup on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to GENTLY cut through the middle of each cookie, creating two perfect watermelon halves. Remember, gentle is key to avoid crumbling.
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On a small plate, squeeze a few drops of pink and green gel food coloring. Using separate food-safe paint brushes for each color, paint a green border around the curved edge of each cookie half to resemble the watermelon rind. Then, fill in the middle with the vibrant pink for the watermelon flesh. For brushes, you can find food-safe options on Amazon or at craft stores like Michaels or Hobby Lobby (Wilton offers them, as do many generic brands).
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Allow the food coloring to dry completely (about 10-15 minutes). Once dry, use a black food marker to carefully draw small, tear-drop shaped seeds onto the pink sections of your watermelon cookie cups.
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe! This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Nutrition
Conclusion: Your Summer Dessert Star
These adorable watermelon Reese’s peanut butter cookie cups are more than just a dessert; they’re a celebration of summer, creativity, and deliciousness. By following our simple steps, you can easily transform a classic cookie into a festive and memorable treat that will undoubtedly be the star of any gathering. Whether you’re making them for a themed party, a casual get-together, or simply to brighten your day, these cookie cups are guaranteed to bring smiles and compliments.
So, gather your ingredients, unleash your inner cookie artist, and get ready to bake up some serious summer fun. Don’t forget to share your creations and tag us with #WatermelonCookieCups! Enjoy the sweet taste of summer!