Easy Mini Valentine’s Cookie Cups: Reese’s Peanut Butter & Heart Sprinkles Recipe
Forget the stress of elaborate cookie decorating this Valentine’s Day! These incredibly quick and easy Mini Valentine’s Cookie Cups are here to save the day. Requiring absolutely no fancy piping bags or messy frosting, these delightful treats feature a perfect combination of soft peanut butter cookie dough, miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and a final flourish of adorable heart sprinkles. They are the ideal solution for last-minute office Valentine’s treats, charming additions to school parties, or simply a fun and engaging baking activity to enjoy with the kids.
When Valentine’s Day approaches, you might be tempted to spend hours meticulously decorating intricate sugar cookies. While those can be beautiful, sometimes you need a simpler, faster, and equally charming option. That’s where these delightful heart-themed cookie cups come in! They offer all the festive appeal without the fuss, making them a go-to recipe for busy bakers.
Follow our detailed step-by-step instructions below to whip up these irresistible Valentine’s Day cookies in well under 30 minutes. You’ll be amazed at how simple it is to create such a charming and delicious treat that everyone will adore!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Recipe
These Mini Valentine’s Cookie Cups aren’t just cute; they’re genuinely a joy to make and eat. Here’s why this recipe will become your new Valentine’s Day favorite:
- Effortlessly Adorable: No need for advanced decorating skills. The Reese’s Cups and heart sprinkles do all the work, creating a visually appealing cookie with minimal effort.
- Quick & Simple: From start to finish, these cookies are ready in under 30 minutes, making them perfect for impromptu baking sessions or busy schedules.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Who doesn’t love the classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate? These cookie cups are universally loved by both kids and adults.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a school classroom party, an office potluck, a bake sale, or a cozy family night, these cookies fit right in.
- Kid-Friendly Baking: The steps are straightforward enough for little hands to help with scooping, rolling, and adding sprinkles, making it a wonderful activity for families.
Ingredients for Perfect Valentine’s Cookie Cups
Creating these delightful cookie cups requires a simple list of ingredients, many of which you likely already have in your pantry. The key to their unique charm lies in the marriage of a classic peanut butter cookie base with the iconic Reese’s chocolate and peanut butter center.
- 1 recipe Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Dough: This is the foundation of our cookie cups. The recipe for this soft, chewy, and flavorful dough is provided in the recipe card below. It’s designed to hold its shape perfectly in a mini muffin tin.
- Miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: These are the stars of the show! Ensure you get the “miniature” size, not the even smaller “mini” ones or the full-size cups, as the miniature fit perfectly into the cookie cups. They melt beautifully into the warm cookie, creating a luscious, gooey center.
- Jumbo Wilton Heart Sprinkles: These adorable, larger-than-average heart sprinkles add that undeniable festive Valentine’s touch. They’re easy to place and stand out beautifully against the chocolate and peanut butter. You can often find them at craft stores or online.
Essential Equipment for Baking
While this recipe is simple, having the right tools on hand will make the process even smoother:
- Mini Muffin Tin: Absolutely essential for forming the perfect cookie cup shape. A 24-cup mini muffin tin is ideal for this recipe.
- 1-Tablespoon Cookie Scoop: Ensures uniform cookie size for even baking and a consistent look.
- Mixing Bowls: One large bowl for the dough.
- Electric Mixer: Handheld or stand mixer will make creaming butter and sugar much easier and faster.
- Spatula: For scraping down the bowl and folding in dry ingredients.
- Cooling Rack: For allowing the cookies to fully cool and set after baking.
- Non-stick Cooking Spray: Crucial for preventing sticking and ensuring easy removal of the baked cookie cups.
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough Balls
To begin, you’ll need to transform your delicious peanut butter cookie dough into perfectly sized balls. This step is crucial for achieving consistent cookie cups that fit well in your muffin tin and bake evenly.
Start by scooping the dough into 1 tablespoon-sized portions. I highly recommend using a one-tablespoon sized cookie scoop for this. This handy tool ensures that each cookie is uniform in size, which is key for consistent baking results. After scooping, use the edge of the bowl or your finger to level off the top of each scoop, ensuring you have exactly one tablespoon of dough.
Once scooped, use your hands to gently roll each portion of dough into a smooth, round ball. This helps them bake into a uniform shape. Immediately after rolling, place each dough ball into a greased mini muffin tin. Do not skip the greasing step! A generous spray of non-stick cooking spray is essential, otherwise, you will find it incredibly difficult to remove the delicate cookie cups without them breaking apart once baked.
Step 2: Bake & Prepare Reese’s Cups
This step is where the magic starts to happen, transforming your dough into soft, inviting cookie cups. Precision in baking time is crucial for the perfect texture.
Bake the prepared cookie dough balls in your preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for exactly 8 minutes. This specific timing is the secret to ensuring your cookies remain wonderfully soft and chewy. You might look at them after 8 minutes and think they appear slightly underdone or too doughy. It’s a common temptation to put them back in for a few more minutes, but trust the process! Remove them from the oven promptly at the 8-minute mark. They will continue to set and finish baking slightly as they cool on the cooling rack, resulting in that ideal soft texture.
Pro Tip: While your cookies are baking, take this opportunity to unwrap all your miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Having them ready will be key for the next step. As soon as you pull the hot cookies from the oven, immediately press one Reese’s Cup into the center of each warm cookie. The residual heat from the cookie will gently melt the chocolate, creating a perfectly soft, gooey peanut butter and chocolate center.
Step 3: Add Heart Sprinkles & Cool
The final decorative touch for these Valentine’s treats is simple yet makes all the difference, and proper cooling is essential for neat removal.
While the cookie cups are still cooling in the muffin pan – after the chocolate from the Reese’s Cup has had a few minutes to start melting into a lovely, soft pool – gently place one of your jumbo heart sprinkles in the very center of each cookie. The slightly melted chocolate will act as a natural adhesive, holding the sprinkle firmly in place as it sets. Avoid pressing too hard, as the cookie is still delicate.
Once the sprinkles are in place, it’s crucial to wait until the chocolate has fully hardened again before attempting to remove the cookie cups from the pan. This prevents them from losing their shape or breaking. If you’re in a hurry, you can speed up this process by placing the entire muffin pan in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes. This quick chill will firm up the chocolate and the cookies, making them much easier to handle.
Pro Tip: For the easiest and cleanest removal, use the tip of a small spoon or a thin offset spatula. Gently slide it around the edges of each cookie cup and then carefully lift them out of the muffin tin. This technique minimizes breakage and preserves their perfect shape.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mini Valentine’s Cookie Cups
I don’t have a mini muffin tin. Can I still make these?
Absolutely, you can! While a mini muffin tin helps create that perfect cup shape, you can still enjoy these delicious cookies without one. Instead of baking them in the muffin tin, you can bake them directly on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. For this method, I recommend adjusting the dough portion to approximately 2 tablespoons per cookie (instead of 1 tablespoon). This larger size will ensure the cookie is substantial enough to properly press a miniature Reese’s cup into its center without crumbling. With this adjustment, you’ll likely need to bake the cookies for an extra 1-2 minutes, bringing the total bake time to around 9-10 minutes, or until the edges are just set and lightly golden.
Alternative Idea: You can also explore other delightful no-cut-out heart cookie recipes, like my Valentine’s Day White Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies (shown below), which use white Dove chocolate squares for a similar charming effect! This means cute, festive cookies without the need for special Valentine’s cookie cutters. Hooray for simplicity!
Where can I buy the heart sprinkles?
The jumbo heart sprinkles truly make these cookies special! I typically find these at craft stores like Michaels, especially around holiday seasons. However, if you prefer shopping online or can’t find them locally, you can also easily purchase them on Amazon here. They usually come in a festive mix of red and pink hearts. These sprinkles are roughly the size of a dime, which is perfect for standing out on top of these mini Valentine’s desserts.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! This is a fantastic recipe for doubling, especially if you’re making treats for a larger crowd or want to have extras for gifting and freezing. This particular recipe, as written, is actually a halved version of my original family recipe, which typically yields over 60 cookies! So, if you’re looking to make a full, larger batch, I encourage you to check out my original Soft Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cookies recipe. The instructions will guide you through making a bigger batch of this beloved peanut butter and chocolate treat.
How to Store Valentine’s Cookie Cups?
These cookie cups store wonderfully! Once completely cooled and the chocolate has re-hardened, place them in an airtight container. They will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, see the freezing tip below.
Can I Freeze These Cookies?
Yes! These cookie cups freeze beautifully. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for a few hours before serving.
What kind of peanut butter should I use?
For the best results and a consistent texture, I recommend using a creamy, processed peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) for the cookie dough. Natural peanut butters, especially those that separate, can alter the cookie’s texture, making them too dry or crumbly. Save the natural peanut butter for your sandwiches!
Fun Occasions to Share These Valentine’s Cookie Cups:
These versatile and adorable cookie cups are perfect for a variety of festive occasions throughout the Valentine’s season and beyond. Their delightful appearance and irresistible flavor make them a welcome treat everywhere they go:
- Office Valentine’s Treats: Brighten up your workplace with a tray of these charming cookies. They’re individually sized, making them easy to share and enjoy with colleagues.
- School Parties & Class Party Snacks: A huge hit with kids! Their small size and fun heart sprinkles make them ideal for classroom celebrations or as a special snack for school events.
- Valentine’s Bake Sale Treats: If you’re contributing to a bake sale, these cookie cups are an excellent choice. They’re visually appealing, easy to transport, and have that classic flavor combination that sells quickly.
- Thoughtful Gifts for Friends & Neighbors: Package a few in a small box or cellophane bag with a ribbon for a sweet, homemade gift that shows you care.
- Family Dessert Night: A simple yet special dessert to share with your loved ones at home, creating sweet memories together.
- Movie Night Snack: Pair these with your favorite romantic comedy or family film for a cozy evening.
More Valentine’s Day Cookies Ideas & Treats:
If you’re looking for even more inspiration for Valentine’s Day baking and crafting, be sure to explore our comprehensive Valentine’s library. You’ll find a treasure trove of treat ideas, free printables, and other festive projects to make your holiday extra special!
- Best Cut Out Sugar Cookies: For those who do enjoy a classic, decorated sugar cookie, this recipe is a reliable favorite.
- Valentine’s Day White Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies: Another simple yet elegant option for peanut butter lovers, featuring a beautiful white chocolate touch.
Valentines Cookie Cups
Print
Rate
30 minutes
30
cookies
Melissa Rose
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- ¾ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
Topping:
- 30 Miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (not the tiny “mini” ones)
- Jumbo Heart Sprinkles
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), peanut butter (½ cup), brown sugar (½ cup), and granulated sugar (½ cup) with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add in vanilla extract (½ teaspoon) and egg (1 large) and continue to mix for 10 seconds until well combined.
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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 and a cohesive dough forms. Do not overmix.
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Scoop & roll dough into 1 tablespoon sized balls. Place each rolled ball into a generously greased mini muffin tin.
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Bake at 350℉ (175°C) for exactly 8 minutes. Remove from oven, and immediately press one mini Reese’s peanut butter cup into the center of each hot cookie. The chocolate will begin to melt.
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After the chocolate of the peanut butter cup has started to melt (usually within a few minutes), gently place a heart sprinkle onto the top of each one, pressing lightly to adhere.
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To help the chocolate re-harden and for easier removal, place the entire muffin pan in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes.
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Allow to fully cool before removing the cookies from the pan. For easy removal, use the tip of a spoon or a thin offset spatula to gently lift out the cookies without breaking them.
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If not serving immediately, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer-term storage (see FAQ for freezing instructions).
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.
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